Shabaz Ali is a social media sensation with 1.8 million followers on Instagram and 2 million on TikTok. Known by the handle @shabazsays, he judges the rich and famous from the comfort of his own bed all while shrouded in his signature fleecy blanket. His videos achieve many millions of views thanks to his sharp sense of humour and refusal to be cowed by anyone’s fame.

This success has led to his decision to step away from his previous role as a chemistry teacher to write an Amazon bestselling book about social media and to take to the stage as a comedian with his own tour earlier this year.

Not content with just two new career paths, Shabaz has also started his own weekly podcast “I’m Rich You’re Poor” - the same title as his book - where he and his best friend Sofia chat about pop culture, gossip, telly and the ridiculousness of social media.

Over the course of our discussion, Shabaz shared how deeply he cares about advocacy for women and equality as well as the dangers of social media. We discussed his fascination with gossip and how Bollywood cinema has warped his expectation of love.

Shabaz choices:

Book: A Thousand Splendid Suns, Khaled Hosseini

Movie: Khahaani

Podcast: British Scandal

TV Show: Black Mirror…and Friends

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