Do You Know the Enemy: Who Exactly is Steven Bartlett? Part 2

Well, Narnia has been given the final piece of the puzzle we were waiting for regarding our Steven Bartlett post from September 18, 2025. As we indicated in Part 1, Bartlett just has too many suspicious connections with shady business practices and people in the media industry to view his selection for Louis' upcoming interview as a chance event. From Simon Cowell, the BBC, Sony, et al. to Jonathan Shalit and of course his sudden attachment to Liam in 2021 and his recent red-hearted Soccer Aid association with Louis. 🙄

Never mind that Bartlett curiously continues to follow Maya Henry on social media, and even though he has portrayed himself as Liam's good friend since 2021 has no public association to Kate Cassidy. The "girlfriend" portrayed as the love of Liam's life. 👀 With this kind of connect-the-dots personal and professional profile it's hard to view Bartlett as anything other than a ready, willing and able accomplice in facilitating TPTB's public narratives related to One Direction. Remember that Howard Stringer (Rob Stringer's brother) served as the Chairman, President and CEO of Sony Corporation from 2005-2012. He also joined the Executive Board to the BBC in December 2013. This information is being provided again, just in case anyone is wondering why Louis and the BBC, have been strangers, until now. That's right. These byzantine, widespread connections all exist for a reason. That's how control is maintained/enforced. That's how secrets are kept. 

Never mind Bartlett's close friendship with Jay Shetty, who just happened to be the person selected to "interview" Kate Cassidy on April 16, 2025. Another lengthy "opportunity", in podcast form, that just "coincidentally" pushed the TPTB narratives of a fairy tale romance and Cassidy and Liam's eternal "love" for one another. Blech! All the while intermittently rewriting Ziam truths to now be about her (like the Angel number 4 suddenly being ["our thing"], and co-opting the significance of the lion figure that was also part of Zayn and Liam's relationship dating back as early as 2013. [Refer to podcast transcript for details.]

The Payne Coat of Arms is a Lion

And we all know that Zayn is a sucker for heroes.

Liam in Melbourne, Australia October 29, 2013

A revealing quote from Zayn for the newly launched game, Harry Potter: Puzzles and Spells back on September 23, 2020. And what a coincidence that Gryffindor's coat of arms features a Lion. The symbol of bravery, chivalry and courage.

Which house do you want to be put in?I picked Gryffindor. I'm a sucker... [I go] straight for the heroes.

So with this shady background in mind, the world is now informed that not only is Steven Bartlett going to interview Louis for two whole hours, but for the first time ever, the podcast will be making history. How? Well, by amplifying/propagating whatever Louis says, while showing the podcast on the Big Screen. The publishing of an instantaneous transcript, as was done to Liam in 2021, apparently not enough fire power for what is about to take place. Just like the All of Those Voices Mockumentary was used in 2023 to get Louis on the record about Babygate, now TPTB are using the cinema format once again to have Louis promote their official public narratives and thus, wipe their fingerprints off of their abuses including the imposition of enforced closeting, "fatherhood". and the reformulation of certain "relationships" in the band. Just look at the sensational words being used about this upcoming interview now being marketed as an "event". 

• World Exclusive
• Cinematic Scope
• Global Exclusive Screening
• A New International Precedent For Content Distribution
• One Night Only Premiere
• Transforming a Digital Connection Into a Shared Cultural Experience

What a stark contrast from Louis' ostracism by the music industry for the last eight years, 2016-2024. The man portrayed in headlines, through 2022, as "Eleanor's boyfriend." That's right, "Eleanor's boyfriend". Not to mention how Louis' fandom had to wait to even get the official totals for his incredibly successful Livestream on December 12, 2020. And even then the accomplishment was buried under other stunt coverage about his mini-me "offspring" or his laddy-lad persona. A Guinness Book of World Records musical feat that would have received massive coverage for any other well-known artist. Especially, someone who had sold over 70 million records worldwide in less than five years, and was a vital part of the biggest boyband in the world. Instead, Louis was reduced to self-promotion.

November 16, 2021

Then there was the lack of publicity and airplay for his #1 UK Album, Faith in the Future, released in 2022. Where was the BBC then? Rolling Stone? Billboard? Simon Jones? Matt Vines? Crickets. 🔇 

Persona non grata until a gradual narrative turnaround in 2024

Louis has informed us in so many ways and explicitly in his music video, "Just Like You" that what we are fed regarding his public narrative is all planned. Not somewhat planned. Not mostly planned. But "25, and it's all planned". Miraculously, Louis is now on the cover of the Rolling Stone in 2025 seemingly from out of nowhere. [Well-deserved we might add and long overdue.]  

Just Like You, music video released 10.17.17

Interestingly enough, all this is happening after Louis told his fans last year that something was coming, but that he knew we (his fans) would be by his side. And we most definitely will be there, like always. However, that kind of seismic public image shift only occurs after something has been given in exchange - some kind of significant "concession(s)".  After all, the music world consists of mountains of corrupt business practices, hidden behind image clauses, NDAs, industry connections and gatekeepers (waves at Steven Bartlett), market concentration which reduces professional/artistic options and freedom of movement, and good old-fashioned threats. A protection racket, grounded in unlimited demands (deliverables) and media collusion.  While outsiders might simply use the words, captivity, extortion and/or shakedown. 

 

Since 2016, Narnia has written about how this Hiatus from Hell™ has been used for many purposes (besides the image and monetary exploitation of Harry Styles), but key among them has been to wipe TPTB's fingerprints off of their demoralizing and abusive stunts, homophobic lies, corrupt business practices, and public narrative deceptions regarding One Direction as a group and as solo artists. The biggest cover-up of all being that of Larrie. But certainly other plot points need to be cleaned up as well. After all, TPTB must be absolved of all responsibility for the torrent of rumors and evidence that has accumulated over the last fifteen years. Especially, Sony and Simon Cowell operatives from Simon Jones to Mike Navarra to Steven Finan O'Conner to Ben Winston to Kid Harpoon, and to Chris Frewin. It takes a village as they say because the list is vast and never ending. In other words, even someone with a passing understanding of history, understands that conspiracies not only exist, but that power elites thrive on them. And, true to form, now it will be Louis target-on-his-back Tomlinson, who will be the one to step forward and take the hit. 

A real beauty and incredible artist

So this brings the fandom back to what was announced on Tuesday and although Narnia did not know exactly how the charade would play out, we do now. This is not just an interview by some random podcaster suddenly interested in an intimate chat with a recording artist who has new music to share with his fandom and music lovers in general. This is an orchestrated, high profile moment, a large scale cultural event, designed to bring together a "global community" (viral trend) with as many "like-minded" individuals as possible to "take notes" while "witnessing" irrefutable evidence once and for all. Straight from the horse's mouth as it were. Just like Sony/Syco did with Liam. Bartlett is a classic example of the quintessential flimflam man. A perfect mouthpiece/frontman for those who wish to remain behind the curtains. 

"I'm so happy that we're able to offer this experience to our community. Increasingly, people consume content alone and we think there's a much better, richer, more valuable way to consume a podcast," said Steven Bartlett, host of The Diary Of A CEO. "Since our last screening, I have wanted to create a way for more people to watch it together, on the big screen, with friends, family and likeminded strangers, to learn, take notes, laugh together, network, and discuss. Cineworld has created an opportunity for fans to do that on both sides of the Atlantic and this is just the start of our journey to turn our podcast audience into a connected, in-real-life global community."  

Steven Bartlett

BREAKING NEWS!  As suspected there is a Netflix tie-in with Cowell's sudden Boyband documentary in December and Liam's Building the Band participation in 2024, (the series that began to air a few months ago in July, but was filmed last summer). Now we are learning that Zayn and Louis will be working on a three-part Netflix "documentary" about their boyband past. Father narratives will be incoming for both, (another loose end needing to be tied up) as well as the reinforcement of all the significant public Liam narratives that critical thinking fans are still justly questioning, nearly a year later.

Thanks Harry, for the Sted Sarandos alias to let the public know that even though you are still relegated to the love that dares not speak its name in this shifting narrative, that you are most definitely, very much a part of One Direction, but being silenced/separated from the rest of the group, just like always. [For those unaware, Ted Sarandos is the CEO of Netflix.]

No doubt this is all part of the same mega deal that is now allowing Louis and Zayn to move forward. Unfortunately, the bittersweet 🍋 aspect of this hard won image shift is that trade-offs must be made. Let's not lose sight of the fact that power almost never relinquishes power without something being given back in return. 

The key to remember now is that regardless of how much coercion or dirty dealing the guys have had to cope with to get to where they are today, that we are still the greatest team the world has ever seen. This means we must move forward into this new era together. We know what we know and no judgmental Tik Tokers are going to "exterminate" or eradicate what we've seen, heard and celebrated for 15 years. Even Niall cryptically "spoke up" recently, reminding us to never forget to take care of ourselves. So something big is coming.

Louis has always reminded us that we are interdependent. We need him. He needs us. All of us. Separate the truth from the lies and question the rest. Never forget that life is bitter and sweet. Take a sip of that iced-chilled glass of Lemonade and don't let go of what is most meaningful. Like immutable love.

Harry and Stomper looking up at the sky from his "Satellite" music video, May 3, 2023, 

As next week draws near, Narnia suspects that Louis is going to be made to lie about many topics, but especially about that one irreplaceable person in the world who means the most to him. (See above.)  So be prepared for massive trolling and bots to be unleashed across the social media ecosystem. Just like they were against Liam on Oscar night, 2022.  Amid the chaos, expect tabloid headlines and Larrie fandom mockery. Throughout the mayhem, dig in, and remember to stay grounded in reality, supported by fifteen years of evidence. Ignore those false conspiracies that Sony/Cowell continue to disseminate so that they can be left off the hook and walk between the raindrops. How convenient that TPTB never seem to be blamed for any abuses in these prearranged interviews. Just think about that. Like with most abusive relationships where there is a power imbalance, the victim is exploited again and again until something changes.  

After all these years, if any two people deserve the benefit of the doubt and to be embraced and accepted for who they really are and the compromises they have had to make along the way simply to chase their dreams, those individuals would be Louis Tomlinson and Harry Styles. Take a calming deep breath, smile softly, then gaze up at the sky. 

Cue the music:

🎶We'll be alright.

🎶We'll be alright.

🎶We'll be alright.

                                   Looks like certain folks don't appreciate critical thinking. Sad!

Oh, and look who just happened to 'like' this surely "spur-of-the-moment" point of view with an obvious vested interest in safeguarding Steven Bartlett's reputation. Self-serving much, Steven.

Just remember, when all is said and done, that Louis is trying to navigate through some perilous shark infested waters and a large part of his remarkable strength and resiliency comes from us. Same goes for all of the guys.

'Cause we made it

Underestimated

And always underrated

Now we're saying goodbye

Waving to the hard times

Yeah, it's going to be alright - "We Made It"

Away From Home Festival, Crystal Palace 8.30.21 

Pic sources:  PR Newswire, The Mirror, Twitter, Tumblr, Tik Tok, Diary of a CEO, Rolling Stone

Playlist:  Lemonade - Louis Tomlinson

               Music From a Sushi Restaurant - Harry Styles