Director Quentin Tarantino and writer Lianne Spiderbaby arrive at the 2013 Oscars (Getty Images)
Lianne Spiderbaby (who was born Lianne MacDougall) is a household name for internet horror review fans. She is known for her contributions to Fangoria, Famous Monsters of Filmland and Video Watchdog magazines. She is also making headlines this week for stealing other people’s work and claiming it as her own.
Here’s what you need to know…
1. Lianne Is A Serial Plagiarizer
Lianne Spiderbaby admits and apologizes for plagiarizing. (via Defamer)
On July 13, 2013, it came to light that Lianne is a serial plagiarizer after multiple bloggers made posts about her ripping off their work.
MaryAnn Johanson, the writer of the blog Flickfilosopher.com made a post outlining exactly what was copied from her site by Spiderbaby.
Spiderbaby released a statement on Twitter, admitting to the act.
I apologize for the plagiarism in my work. I am leaving journalism behind for awhile. I’m so very sorry to everyone esp those I’ve wronged.
— Lianne Spiderbaby (@liannespider) July 13, 2013
The Tweet seems to no longer exist (it appears she went through her Twitter account and selectively deleted a number of posts), but has been replaced with the following brief statement.
The deed is done.
— ~ (@Liannespider) July 15, 2013
As of July 13, Lianne Spiderbaby’s website no longer exists.
2. Lianne Spiderbaby is dating director Quentin Tarantino
Making their public debut at the 2013 Oscars red carpet was Lianne and Quentin Tarantino, who have reportedly been a couple for a few months at the time.
3. She Is Currently Putting The Finishing Touches On A Book
Lianne has been writing a book, called Grindhouse Girls: Cinema’s Hardest Working Women.
“My first interview for Fangoria was with exploitation superstar Lynn Lowry. I loved chatting with her so much, and exploitation films have always been of special interest to me since my university days. I actually wrote my final thesis on grindhouse theaters and spectatorship practices. After interviewing Lynn, I figured it was the perfect time to get in touch with some of my other favorite exploitation actresses and feature them all in one cohesive source dedicated to their hard work and influence.”
She goes on to add that, “[t]he book is going to have a really awesome foreword, as well.” This foreward is said to be penned by boyfriend Quentin Tarantino.
The book, which touches on the lives of 17 exploitation actresses in total, is set to release in late 2013 on St. Martin’s Press.
4. She Used To Be An Elementary School Teacher
Spiderbaby used to teach in the the Peel District School Board in Ontario, Canada. (Image courtesy of ohhfa.ca)
Ms. Spiderbaby actually used to be an elementary school teacher. According to her LinkedIn profile, the 29-year-old taught grades 1, 5, and 6 in the Peel District School Board in Ontario, Canada.
5. Graduated From The University of Toronto
University of Toronto
Also according to her LinkedIn profile, Lianne went to school at the University of Toronto her home country of Canada, where she attended teacher’s college after graduating with honors in the department of Cinema Studies.
6. Lianne Is Also an Actress
Turns out Lianne does a bit of acting. Aside from her YouTube account, she has recently been featured in a 2013 film called Coffin Baby. According to IMDB, the film, written by Dean C Jones, takes place when Hollywood “is turned upside down by a series of strange and horrific murders creating chaos and turmoil in tinsel town.” Bloody and grotesque scenes follow for an hour and a bit. It has received a rating of 3.9/10, so that gives you can draw your own conclusions from that.
7. Lianne Got Her Pen Name From A 1968 Horror Movie
Spiderbaby poster (image courtesy of Facebook)
When asked about her pen name, “Spiderbaby,” Lianna cited a 1968 horror movie. Here is her comment from a February 2013 interview:
I would never change my name permanently, no. It was just a name I took because I had the foresight of knowing that I did not want my professional career to conflict with the fact that I wrote for horror magazines. SPIDER BABY is a 1968 film directed by Jack Hill that I absolutely love. It’s such a great film, and is one of those timeless and strange horror films that you know you will love forever. I liked the name, and I loved the film, so I adopted it for my own use!
8. She Runs a YouTube Channel Called Fright Bytes With Her Brother
Lianne also runs a YouTube channel, called Fright Bytes, with her brother. The duo do on-camera reviews.
The project was born after Lianne made a guest-appearance on a friend’s channel, reviewing an episode of The Walking Dead. Fans of that show began calling for Lianne to create her own program, so she did.
9. You Can Buy Lianne’s Oscar Dress Online
Lianne Spiderbaby departs at the 2013 Oscars (Getty Images)
If you fell in love with the cleavage-emphasizing dress Lianne wore at this year’s Oscar awards, you’re in luck. DHGate.com, a fast-trading online marketplace, has a user selling the pageant dress. Better hurry before it’s gone.
10. She Likes To Retweet “Celebrities” Ironically
One of us! One of us! It appears Lianne also likes to ironically retweet posts by “celebrities.” Here are some gems.
Yes I just retweeted Tyra Banks. No, I'm not sorry.
— ~ (@Liannespider) April 8, 2013
I have the simplest tastes. I am always satisfied with the best. -Oscar Wilde
— Paris Hilton (@ParisHilton) April 12, 2013
Who is watching Chelsea Lately???? Payback baby!!! LOL
— Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) April 9, 2013
How cute do my kitties look in their pink porsche? ;) http://t.co/gPxobZSU
— Paris Hilton (@ParisHilton) November 17, 2012
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Lianne Spiderbaby, Quentin Tarantino’s Girlfriend: Top 10 Facts You Need To Know