Behind the Scenes with Amanda Hirsch: Candid Moments with Celebrities
Amanda Hirsch, the creator of the popular Instagram account “Not Skinny But Not Fat” and host of its accompanying celebrity interview podcast, has built an impressive career getting up close and personal with some of Hollywood’s biggest stars. From the Kardashians to Ryan Reynolds and Jennifer Aniston, Hirsch offers a unique window into celebrity culture while maintaining her relatable, down-to-earth approach. What started as creating memes in 2016 has evolved into a platform with nearly one million Instagram followers and a podcast that attracts A-list guests. Her success stems from her ability to humanize celebrities through authentic conversations, revealing sides of them that fans rarely get to see.
When Hirsch became the first podcaster to interview the Kardashian sisters, she discovered something surprising about their authentic nature. During her 2022 interview with Kim Kardashian, Hirsch was amazed when Kim said she “didn’t have a side” when asked where she wanted to sit—a refreshing departure from many celebrities who are particular about being filmed from their most flattering angle. The Riverdale native also noted that the Kardashians don’t arrive with extensive entourages or demand to see questions beforehand, contrary to public perception. Far from being distant parents with “17 nannies,” Hirsch observed firsthand how involved they are with their children, with Kim’s daughter North playing basketball nearby during their interview at Skims headquarters. These moments revealed a more grounded side to reality TV’s royal family than many might expect.
Hirsch’s interview experiences often come with memorable moments that showcase celebrities’ unique personalities. When interviewing Kourtney Kardashian at her Los Angeles mansion during the summer of 2023, Kourtney insisted on turning on her electric fireplace “for the vibes” despite the 85-degree heat. Both women were visibly sweating, with Hirsch fearing she might faint mid-interview. Yet Kourtney remained committed to creating the perfect atmosphere, even when Hirsch checked on her well-being as sweat appeared on her wrist. These humanizing details—the kind that don’t make it into carefully curated social media posts—are what make Hirsch’s content so appealing to fans seeking authentic glimpses of their favorite stars.
The journey from creating content in her one-bedroom Upper East Side apartment kitchen to interviewing major Hollywood figures represents the power of social media to transform careers. Hirsch recalls her first breakthrough moment in 2016 when Kourtney Kardashian liked one of her playful posts that read, “Don’t follow Kourtney Kardashian on Snapchat if you have low self esteem.” That interaction made her realize “the internet is a powerful tool, you can get to the person you are writing about.” Now living on the Upper East Side with her husband and two children, Hirsch has leveraged that initial insight into a successful career connecting with celebrities in ways that feel authentic rather than manufactured. Her interviews reveal not just the polished personas of stars, but their genuine human qualities.
Some of Hirsch’s most cherished interactions have been with unexpected A-list moments of kindness. She describes Ryan Reynolds as “so great, so nice” after he took the time to make a personal video for her son, who is a fan of Reynolds’ character Deadpool. Reynolds even sent Hirsch a thank-you note afterward—a gesture that speaks to his character beyond his public persona. Equally memorable was Jennifer Aniston complimenting Hirsch’s hair highlights, a surreal moment considering Aniston is “the queen of hair.” Hirsch still laughs at her own flustered response, telling Aniston she’d “send her the name” of her New York stylist—a moment of relatable awkwardness that Hirsch continues to playfully reference, noting she still doesn’t know “what I should have answered that would have made me sleep at night.”
Currently, Hirsch is focused on manifesting an interview with Meghan Markle, hoping to showcase a more relatable side of the Duchess of Sussex. When Markle launched her Netflix series “With Love, Meghan” in March, Hirsch expressed concern on Instagram about potential backlash, writing, “You guys, I’m scared for Meghan.” To Hirsch’s surprise, Markle responded by sending her As Ever jam with a handwritten note saying, “Dear Amanda, I heard you were feeling scared. Don’t be! This is the fun part — let’s enjoy it.” This exchange revealed Markle’s awareness and sense of humor, with Hirsch noting people’s positive reaction: “Oh s–t. She has some snark. She gets it, she’s in on it.” For Hirsch, landing this interview would be a career highlight and an opportunity to show audiences a more authentic version of Markle. Through these genuine interactions, Hirsch continues to bridge the gap between celebrities and their fans, revealing the humanity behind the headlines and Instagram filters.
