I've Never Said This Before With Tommy DiDario (iHeartPodcasts)

This week, Tommy is joined by Matteo Bocelli who recently released his debut album, “Matteo.” His self-titled debut features 12 tracks, in a mix of English and his native Italian, including the single “Chasing Stars,” written by Ed & Matthew Sheeran. Matteo’s sound is so uniquely him and it is on full display as he embarks on his first solo step into the spotlight. Yes, he has released music previously with his father, the incredible Andrea Bocelli, but this album is Matteo’s baby. Today, Matteo opens up about when he first started to fall in love with singing, trusting the timing of when he was meant to go full-force in pursuing his passion for music, how his dad has always been the most influential person in his life, learning from one of the greatest voices in the world and the pressure that comes with that, developing his own sound and stepping into his own artistry, what excites him the most with his debut album, how he has always admired Ed Sheeran and hopes to collaborate with him in the future, what his first world tour has been like, and the greatest life lessons he has learned from his father. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by the brilliant actor Martin Henderson, star of the hit Netflix series, Virgin River. The show is a romance drama that is quite often described as “comfort viewing,” adapted from the long-running romance book series by author Robyn Carr. When every new season drops, it immediately shoots to #1 on the Netflix charts. Today Martin opens up about a show that is so meaningful and special to him, and takes us into the world of Virgin River through his perspective. But we also talk about how he has evolved as a human being over the years, the importance of protecting his peace, why men need to feel safe to express their emotions, and how the internet has named him one of the most swoon-worthy stars in all of television. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actress Sasha Pieterse, best known for her starring role as Alison DiLaurentis in Pretty Little Liars, one of the very first shows that took the social media world by storm. Aside from being a part of this pop culture phenomenon, Sasha is the author of, "Sasha in Good Taste: Recipes for Bites, Feasts, Sips & Celebrations,” and is the host of her podcast, “Women in the Nude” where Sasha and her guests tackle taboo topics and bare all with their experiences, perspectives and truths. Sasha opens up about how she dealt with the massive amount of fame that came with being on a show that instantly became a success, what she misses most about being on Pretty Little Liars, if a possible reunion may be in the future, what she feels the most protective of from the show, the inspiration behind starting a podcast aimed to make women feel less alone, how parenthood has changed her, and the importance on leaning on others to champion you.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by Academy Award nominated actor Colman Domingo. You know Colman from his powerful and memorable roles in Rustin, The Color Purple, The Butler, Selma, the fan-favorite series Euphoria, and so much more. But today the conversation is all about his film Sing Sing which is already getting Oscars buzz. In Sing Sing, Colman plays Divine G who is imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit. He finds purpose by acting in a theater group alongside other incarcerated men. This is a special edition episode of my podcast because this interview is from an event I moderated, presented by the prestigious 92nd Street Y New York. The 92nd Street Y New York is a world class center for arts and innovation. They offer extensive in-person and online classes and events, including live talks, concerts, and dance performances. I hope you enjoy this powerful and moving conversation. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s a new year, and Tommy has assembled the most sought-after Hollywood Gurus to help you start the year off right! First up is Don Saladino, known for getting the biggest stars in Hollywood (Ryan Reynolds, Sebastian Stan, Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, etc) in superhero shape. In my opinion, he is the #1 fitness coach in the game. Next you will hear from Dr. Gabrielle Lyon, a highly respected functional medicine practitioner specializing in brain and thyroid health, lean body mass support, and longevity. She is also the New York Times best-selling author of “Forever Strong,” and we will dive into her science based strategy for aging well. Then you will meet the incredible Dr. Dendy Engelman, a board certified dermatologist and MOHS surgeon who works with some of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Today she breaks down exactly what we should be doing to get our healthiest, most vibrant, glowing skin. And rounding up this power team is Kristan Serafino, the woman responsible for some of the best haircuts on your favorite stars (Ryan Reynolds, Michael J. Fox, Jason Biggs, and so many more). She is sharing more about her secret weapon for grooming called The Best Paste, that men are going crazy for and that women are stealing from their men to use…because it is so good. So, I hope you enjoy this episode with the four superheroes in my life that I wanted to share with you. Don Saladino: https://donsaladino.com Dr. Gabrielle Lyon: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1668007878?tag=simonsayscom Dr. Dendy: http://www.drdendyengelman.com Kristan Serafino: https://thebestpaste.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actress and New York Times bestselling author Hilarie Burton Morgan. Hilarie’s highly anticipated next book, "Grimoire Girl: A Memoir of Magic and Mischief” connects us to the enchantment that exists inside us all. Hilarie, best known for her roles in One Tree Hill and White Collar, opens up about how she lives her life with intention, why we all should take some time to write our own eulogies, ways to create magic in your life each and every day, personal stories of synchronicity where the universe had her back, and why certain parts of her career no longer fuel her soul. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by Scott Hoying, the three time Grammy® Award-winning artist who has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide as part of the multi-platinum-selling a cappella group Pentatonix. Today, he opens up about his first ever solo EP, “Parallel.” Scott dives into the love story behind his music, putting out solo music for the very first time, stepping into his most authentic and powerful self, battling stage fright, and recently saying “I Do,” to his husband Mark. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actress and director Danielle Savre, who stars in the ABC hit drama, Station 19. The wildly popular series is a spin-off of the critically acclaimed Grey’s Anatomy and is heading into its seventh season this spring. Station 19 revolves around a group of interesting and complex firefighters navigating their way through high-stakes rescues while balancing the highs and lows of their personal lives, and Danielle brings the role of Maya Bishop to life flawlessly. Danielle opens up about how deeply connected she is to this role, what being in a same-sex relationship on primetime television has meant to her, how she has been processing the news of the series cancellation, the one item she hopes to take home from set when the series is over, the piece of advice she would tell herself at this very moment of her life, how she tackles those emotional scenes, and her deep love for the Station 19 fandom. 

Help save Station 19: https://www.change.org/p/save-station-19

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actor Oliver Stark, best known for his starring role in the smash hit drama series 9-1-1, currently airing Season 7 on ABC. 9-1-1 is one of the most watched shows on primetime television, chronicling the high-pressure experiences of first responders who are thrust into the most frightening, shocking and heart-stopping situations. What makes this show even more special is that we get to also see these characters lives unfold once they hang up the firefighter gear for the day. Oliver plays the confident and compassionate firefighter, Evan Buckley (aka Buck) and quickly became a fan favorite on the show since day 1. Today, Oliver opens up about Buck’s realization that he is bisexual, why he will always stand by storylines that are about inclusion and love, the moment he decided to make an Instagram post to show support for the LGBTQ+ community, what he hopes we will see with Buck’s journey in the future, what he has most learned about himself through doing this show, the thing that Buck from Season 7 would tell Buck from Season 1, the relationship between Eddie and Buck that has many people talking about, and how he wishes he focused more on building friendships throughout the last decade of his life. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actress Bethany Joy Lenz who became a household name by playing the beloved role of Haley James Scott in One Tree Hill. Joy and her co-star James Lafferty became cemented in pop culture as one of the most popular television couples ever. Her new memoir, “Dinner for Vampires,” is out now and chronicles her spending a decade in a cult, and her quest to break free. Publicly, she was the “it” girl that people adored from One Tree Hill, rising to the height of international fame. But privately, she felt like she was falling deeper and deeper into a cult that she couldn’t break free from…until one day she had enough. Today, Joy opens up about how she went from going to a weekly bible study to being fully immersed in a cult, the red flags about this group that she now realizes she ignored, the first moment she really began feeling being isolated from her friend and family, joining Once Tree Hill and juggling her work life with the cult, what makes her smile when she thinks back on her fan-favorite role on the series, that iconic kissing in the rain scene, why she wishes she could go back in time and give co-star Sophia Bush a really big hug, the latest on a potential reboot, why thinking about the kindness from her cast after going through a difficult time makes her emotional, the moment she realized the cult took over $2 million from her, how she was able to most past feeling self-loathing to start forgiving herself, what she wants to say to her parents for the first time and so much more. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actress Anna Cathcart, star of the #1 smash-hit series XO, Kitty on Netflix. The series has taken over the world, first appearing in Netflix’s Top 10 in over 90 countries when it debuted. XO, Kitty is a spin-off of the streamer’s wildly popular franchise, To All the Boys I've Loved Before, which was based on the bestselling young adult trilogy. The series is often praised for unpacking issues that are top of mind for teens today. Everything from self acceptance to classism, to sometimes complicated relationships with parents to discovering one’s sexuality and more. Today, Anna opens up about how it feels to open up Netflix and see her face in the number one spot on the charts, the best and most challenging parts about growing up in the spotlight, the best advice she got from friends and co-stars Lana Condor and Janel Parrish, if she reads the fan edits and comments when a new season of her show drops, why she was nervous diving into some of the emotional and vulnerable scenes this season, what exploring Kitty’s sexuality means to her, if she is happy with how Season 2 ended, what it’s been like working with co-star Sang Heon Lee, what she wants to see happen in Season 3, if she views herself as successful after working in Hollywood for most of her life, what her biggest dream project is, how XO, Kitty almost was an entirely different concept, and so much more. 

Subscribe, rate, and review this episode if you enjoyed this conversation!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by Claire Holt, internationally known for playing Rebekah Mikaelson in The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, and Legacies. The Vampire Diaries is the longest-running vampire series ever and Claire quickly became a fan-favorite character. Claire opens up about why she almost didn’t show up to her audition, how her character went from being originally a 3-episode guest star to a huge part of the franchise, taking pride in creating a safe corner of the internet for her fans to share their personal experiences through her new website, the challenges she’s faced in parenting, how she hopes to inspire open dialogue among other parents, if she thinks her cast will all reunite for a project in the future, and if she will ever show her kids her work in The Vampire Diaries when they’re older.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by the brilliantly talented Karen Fukuhara who is a fan-favorite in Amazon Prime Video’s Emmy nominated series, The Boys. The fourth season has had over 55 million viewers (and counting) since it premiered just a few weeks ago, and Karen is a pure bad ass as Kimiko. Today, Karen opens up about how her first audition for The Boys was a bit confusing, the person in the cast who makes her break character the most, her thoughts on Kimiko’s journey throughout Season 4, the moment that everyone is buzzing about in the finale, why she is proud to be a part of a show that has so much social commentary, if she has seen any scripts yet for Season 5, who she wants to face off against in the final season, who she fought for screen time with in the latest season, what a spin-off with Frenchie could look like, if she has processed that the series is coming to an end, what goes on in all of those cast group texts, how she takes care of her mental health, what being one of the first Asian superheroes has meant to her, and a piece of advice that she has never shared before based on a recent personal experience. 

Note: this episode is full of spoilers, so make sure you have caught up on season four before listening to the full episode.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the writers' and actors' strikes in full swing, Tommy takes a break from interviewing the stars of the screen to talk to you, the audience! Join us as we reach into the mailbag for our first ever "Ask Tommy" episode. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actor Noah LaLonde who currently stars as Cole Walter in Netflix’s hit new series, My Life with the Walter Boys. The show is a coming-of-age teen drama based on the best-selling books of the same name. It quickly hit #1 on the Netflix charts and was so popular that it got renewed for Season 2 just two weeks after premiering. Noah plays the all-star jock who all the guys want to be friends with and all the girls want to date, but there is so much more to him than meets the eye. And Noah brings such emotion and range to this performance. Today he opens up about landing the role of a lifetime, why his character means so much to him, what he hopes for Cole in Season 2, why he hasn’t changed since booking My Life with the Walter Boys, the importance of enjoying the journey and not just the final outcome, being open to signs from the universe, how we all have more similarities than differences, and if people often comment on that full head of flowing hair.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by the brilliant Jason Isaacs, who is on everyone’s minds after the season finale of White Lotus dropped earlier this week. Jason plays Tim Ratliff, the southern patriarch (of what many would describe as a dysfunctional family), whose life begins to quickly unravel while on vacation in Thailand. His character Tim finds out that he is being investigated by the FBI after some of his questionable business dealings gets uncovered. He hides the truth from his family, but the secret eats him alive and sets him on a path of self destruction and depression. In a sea of stand out performances, Jason is certainly at the top. He created a character that is able to say so much without saying anything at all. Today, Jason opens up about that epic season finale, what it feels like leaving The White Lotus and adjusting back to the real world, how he stepped into the extreme darkness required to play his character, why seeing himself in some of those moments even surprises him when watching them back, what he thinks about a Ratliff spin-off series, how he thinks his character’s family would have reacted to hearing that everything they own is now gone, how he went about discovering his accent for the show, what really happened between Victoria and Kate at that breakfast scene, who he would want on an all-star season of The White Lotus, what project of his he gets stopped for the most, what the real pronunciation of Lucius Malfoy is, his thoughts on the new Harry Potter series, why he never gets stopped for playing that iconic role, why he doesn’t love to answer very personal questions, and so much more. 
Subscribe, rate, and review this episode if you enjoyed this conversation!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actress Lana Parrilla, currently playing a bad ass scientist in the #1 movie on Netflix, ATLAS. Lana teams up with Jennifer Lopez to tell an action-packed story about what can happen if we aren’t careful with how we continue to use and develop artificial intelligence. Lana is a wildly accomplished actress who is perhaps best known for her starring role in the ABC hit series, Once Upon a Time, in which she played the Evil Queen for seven seasons. The internet has given her the title of being one the most iconic villains in the history of television! Today Lana opens up about why she wanted to dive into a story centered around artificial intelligence, how she is honored to always be associated with Once Upon a Time, the powerful fan interactions who were impacted by the series, if OUAT deserves to have a reboot, if she is able to rewatch her past work as the Evil Queen, her very detailed process when she takes on a new role, the ways she constantly works on and prioritizes her mental health, the professional and personal things she still wants to accomplish, and how being homeless as an up-and-coming actress still drives her to be self-reliant, resourceful and hard-working. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actor Justin Hartley who currently stars in Tracker, the #1 show on television for the 2023-2024 season. The series has reached over 81 million viewers since its February debut, and for good reason. Hartley plays Colter Shaw, a lone-wolf survivalist who travels the country as a reward seeker, using his expert tracking skills to help law enforcement and private citizens find friends, family, and loved ones. Season 2 is out now and we celebrate Hartley’s journey on the series, reflect on some past fan-favorite work like This Is Us, gain insight into his work ethic, discuss how he takes care of his mental health while shooting such an intense role and so much more. This is a special edition episode of my podcast because this interview is from an event I moderated, presented by the prestigious 92nd Street Y New York. The 92nd Street Y New York is a world class center for arts and innovation. They offer extensive in-person and online classes and events, including live talks, concerts, and dance performances. I hope you enjoy this conversation where we really get to see a different side to the artist behind some of your most favorite roles. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by Emmy-nominated actress (The Handmaids Tale) and singer/songwriter, Mckenna Grace. With over 70 impressive credits to her name like I Tonya, Captain Marvel, Ghostbusters Afterlife, and more, Mckenna has cemented her spot as a brilliant artist at just 17 years old. But today is all about a different kind of brilliance: her new 5-song EP, Autumn Leaves. Mckenna opens up about being a hopeless romantic, how she remains optimistic even after a big heartbreak, the importance of letting go, being inspired by Lana Del Rey and Taylor Swift, and learning to like herself.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actor Mason Gooding who you will see starring opposite Olivia Holt in the upcoming romantic comedy horror film, Heart Eyes. Heart Eyes is about a masked killer who terrorizes romantic couples on Valentine’s Day. The killer has a new target, and Mason’s character spends the most romantic night of the year trying to stay alive. You also know and love Mason from a bunch of other fan-favorite projects (Love Victor, Y2K, I Want You Back), and perhaps most notably as Chad Meeks-Martin in the Scream franchise. Today, Mason opens up about if he is as smooth in real life as his character in Heart Eyes, what he loves about working in the horror genre, why he jumped at the opportunity to work with Olivia Holt, how he builds authentic chemistry with his co-stars, why human connection is so important to him, how to master the “slow motion scare” in a horror film, his reaction to the Scream 7 script, the first look into what we can expect with the latest film, if he always knew that he would be a part of Scream 7, what he really thinks about spoilers leaking online as the movie is being filmed, how much filming he has left to do, the unexpected thing he did to put himself out there to land a dream role, how he’s cultivated a positive mindset over the years, what he has never publicly said before, and so much more. 
Subscribe, rate, and review this episode if you enjoyed this conversation!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actor David Castañeda who is currently starring in the fourth and final season of the Netflix smash-hit, The Umbrella Academy. The series is based on a collection of comics and graphic novels, and follows a group of estranged siblings with extraordinary powers who uncover family secrets while battling looming threats to humanity. David quickly became a fan-favorite of the show as the sweet, impulsive and sometimes overly confident Diego Hargreeves, a police academy dropout turned vigilante who desperately wants to prove himself. Today, David opens up about it finally hitting him that he won’t be returning to a series that has been such a big part of his life, how he almost snuck off set after his last day of shooting wrapped because it was too hard to say goodbye, his deep love and admiration for the rest of his cast, what he will forever cherish about playing Diego, if he was happy with how the entire series ended, if the fan reaction has surprised him, the scenes of Diego that will stay with him forever, how he has handled the pressure that comes from being part of such a fan-favorite genre, if he would be down to do a spin-off, what that spin-off could look like, what he has learned the most about himself through this entire experience, his relationship with success, and his struggle over the years with feeling like he fits in.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actor Thomas Doherty who is currently shaking things up in Season 2 of the intoxicating drama, Tell Me Lies. You know and love Thomas from so many fan-favorite projects like the Descendants franchise, the Gossip Girl reboot, Dandelion, The Invitation and so many more. But now he plays Leo, the charming newcomer who finds himself in the middle of Lucy (Grace Van Patten) and Stephen’s (Jackson White) toxic past. Tell Me Lies has been crowned as one of today’s most bingeworthy shows, and audiences can’t get enough of the intense drama that unfolds week after week. Today, Thomas opens up about how starring in the Descendants films changed his life, what those years meant to him, transitioning from a more family-friendly network to the next chapter of his career, the one role he would love to reprise from his past, what it was like acting in some of those wild and racy scenes in Gossip Girl, the conversation he had with Ed Westwick about playing a role loosely inspired by his original Chuck Bass, the intensity of working on a show like Tell Me Lies, forming his chemistry with co-star Grace Van Patten, the finale that the audience isn’t going to be ready for, why he isn’t big on setting goals and rather live in the present, and much more. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by the brilliantly talented actress Mary Mouser who is best known for her starring role in the smash-hit series Cobra Kai. Part 1 of the sixth and final season is out now! Cobra Kai is a martial arts comedy/drama sequel to the original Karate Kid film trilogy that delivers plenty of action. Mary plays Samantha LaRusso, daughter to karate champion Daniel LaRusso, reprised by the iconic Ralph Macchio. The series has surpassed over 1.7 billion minutes of streaming from their first 50 episodes, and it is constantly #1 on the Netflix charts. Today Mary opens up about what its been like processing the end of a series that means so much to her, why Cobra Kai has been her dream job, what the journey from day one of filming to her final day of filming has been like, what she hopes her character’s legacy will be, the ways she has grown through playing Samantha LaRusso, what’s to come for her character later in Season 6, if she is satisfied with how the entire series wraps up, what a spin-off in the Miyagi universe might look like, why being around the OG cast never lost its magic, her favorite scenes with Miguel throughout the series, and a surprising new passion of hers. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actress Olivia Holt who is currently starring in the rom com horror film, Heart Eyes. Heart Eyes is about a masked killer who terrorizes romantic couples on Valentine’s Day. The killer has a new target, and Olivia's character spends the most romantic night of the year trying to stay alive. You also know and love Olivia from a bunch of other fan-favorite projects like Cruel Summer, Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger, Totally Killer, and more. She made her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in Chicago, showing the world that she is indeed a multi-hyphenated artist. Today, Olivia opens up about if she is as much of a bad ass in real life as her character in Heart Eyes, how she formed that steamy chemistry with co-star Mason Gooding, why working on this movie was the most fun she has ever had on set, what her experience was like transitioning from working as a child star in Disney projects to headlining her own major studio movie, why she felt like she had to work extra hard to showcase a different side of her talents coming out of the Disney community, refusing to not be put into a box in her career, her fellow Disney actor that became a mentor to her, if she would reprise her fan-favorite role in Cruel Summer, her thoughts on a spin-off Cloak and Dagger movie, if she will be making more music, being graceful with her mental health journey and so much more. 
Subscribe, rate, and review this episode if you enjoyed this conversation!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actress Adelaide Kane who currently stars as Dr. Jules Millin in ABC’s Greys Anatomy. Adelaide has played so many dynamic characters in mega fan-favorite shows over the course of her career, like Mary Queen of Scots in the hit CW show, Reign, Ivy/Drizella in ABC’s Once Upon a Time, Cora in Teen Wolf, and more. Grey’s Anatomy is going into its 20th season, premiering on March 14th on ABC. Today she opens up about what it was like joining such an iconic show, how it felt that first day on set with the long-time cast members of the series, bonding with the new intern class over the last two years, how Ellen Pompeo is as dreamy as people say, working on finding the joy in life no matter how small a moment may seem, ditching a negative mindset and the freedom that came with that, and how she channeled her bullies to create her mean girl character in Once Upon a Time. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actor Luke Macfarlane! Luke has tackled scripted TV, film, Broadway, and now the unscripted world. He is currently hosting and starring in Hallmark+’s home renovation series, HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS, where he is using his impressive wood-working skills to make dreams come true. He recently completed production on the second season of Apple’s PLATONIC, returning in the fan favorite, third-wheel role of Charlie. You also know and love Luke from his breakout role in BROTHERS & SISTERS, starring opposite Billy Eichner in Universal’s romcom BROS, and from 15 beloved Hallmark movies… just to name a few of his credits. Today, Luke opens up about his career highs, why working in television holds a special place in his heart, how he’s now showing the world his passion for wood work, why he wants to keep growing in all different aspects of his career, which superhero he would want to play in a movie, a role he auditioned for that led him to an incredible opportunity he never could have imagined, a franchise that he would jump at the chance to be in, what his relationship with rejection is like, one of the best pieces of advice Seth Rogen ever gave him, why the 40s have given him a new wave of confidence and peace, his journey being an out actor in Hollywood, why he doesn’t mind being asked about being gay, why he is allowing for surprises in life rather than trying to plan everything out, the one thing he hopes his daughter learns at an early age,  and so much more. 

Subscribe, rate, and review this episode if you enjoyed this conversation!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

***This episode was recorded before the SAG-AFTRA strike***

This week, Tommy is joined by star of "Shadowhunters,” Kat McNamara. Kat dishes on her experience playing a beloved demon-hunter, working on a series adapted from popular graphic novels, keeping romantic on-screen relationships platonic off-screen, and how to be open to letting joy into your life. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined Alice Oseman and Patrick Walters, the creative forces behind the smash-hit Netflix series, Heartstopper. Alice is an award-winning author, illustrator and screenwriter who created the LGBTQ+ romance webcomic, Heartstopper, which is also published as a graphic novel and has been adapted into the television series by the same name. Patrick joins Alice as an Executive Producer on Heartstopper (starring Kit Connor and Joe Locke) and works at See-Saw Films which is an Academy Award, Emmy and BAFTA winning television and film production house. Today, Alice and Patrick open up about what keeps them wanting to continue telling this fan-favorite story, how they were both surprised with how mainstream the series became, if Alice always hoped her webcomic would turn into a television series, why Kit and Joe were the only choices to play the roles of Nick and Charlie, the powerful moment from filming season one that made them realize they made the right decision in their casting, something that may surprise you about Kit and Joe, the scene from the comics that was adapted into the series that they are the most proud of, welcoming Jonathan Bailey to Season 3, if a potential Season 4 may be the last, how they protect their mental health in such a fast-paced job, an emotional response to what they've never said before, and so much more.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actress Brianna Hildebrand who reprised her fan-favorite role as Negasonic Teenage Warhead in Deadpool and Wolverine starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman. The film is currently the 6th highest opening of all-time at the US box office and has become the most talked about film this summer. Between having the power of generating explosions from her body, to being effortlessly stoic and cool, to representing a community that feels seen through one of the first queer superheroes, it’s safe to say that the world wants more Negasonic Teenage Warhead. Today, Brianna opens up about how she was only sent pages for the scenes that she was in, what her very first day on-set for Deadpool was like, how Ryan Reynolds helped make her feel less nervous, booking a dream role for her very first movie, her favorite moments for her character throughout all three films, admitting to Ryan that he was her childhood crush, fighting the urge to crack-up when filming scenes opposite her co-stars, getting to work with the iconic Wolverine, if she hopes to play her character in more installments of Deadpool or a spin-off, what being thrust into the spotlight was like after the first Deadpool was released, how she protects her peace and stays grounded, and learning to put other people’s opinions aside to focus on the things that truly matter.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actor Colin O’Donoghue who became a household name by playing Captain Hook (aka Killian) on the smash-hit series, Once Upon a Time. The show tells the story of what happens when fairy tale legends and modern life collide. Once Upon a Time instantly became a fan-favorite series, going on for 7 magical season on ABC. Between film, tv, theater, singing and voice over work, Colin has proven that he is a man of many talents, leaving audiences with memorable and powerful performances time and time again. Today, Colin opens up about how his life completely changed once he booked a huge role on Once Upon a Time, why he was surprised when he got the part, that very special first day on set with Robert Carlyle, how new generations keep discovering Once Upon a Time, what working with Jennifer Morrison was like for all of the years together, how moving on from playing Captain Hook was a difficult transition, where he keeps his iconic costume, if Once Upon a Time deserves a revival, if he would jump into a Hook spin-off, his thoughts on that controversial final season of the show, how he tries to move past anxiety and nerves to be present in the moment, how his approach to acting has changed over the years, if any new music may be on the way, the surprising legendary celebrity he found out he is cousins with, and so much more. 

Subscribe, rate, and review this episode if you enjoyed this conversation!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by James Maslow of the global sensation, Big Time Rush. James opens up about what it’s really like being in one of the most popular boy bands in the world, bringing the group back together after a ten year hiatus, how he looks at success today, selling out the iconic Madison Square Garden, how he’s evolved since joining Big Time Rush back in 2009, and why fear won’t dictate the course of his life.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by pop music royalty. JC Chasez is widely known as being a lead vocalist in the multi-platinum selling group, NSYNC. The group has sold over 50 million records, and JC was responsible for writing and producing many of the songs on the NSYNC albums. JC is now jumping into the musical theater world and teaming up with producer and composer Jimmy Harry on their new musical theater concept album, “Playing With Fire,” inspired by the timeless novel Frankenstein. Today, JC opens up about what reuniting with his bandmates over the last year has meant to him, that text message from Ryan Reynolds about Bye Bye Bye being featured in Deadpool & Wolverine, how he sees the momentum continuing with NSYNC, if he would revisit another Christmas album with the guys, why he wanted to jump into the world of musical theater with Playing With Fire, why he is so connected to this work, the relevance of the themes of Frankenstein in 2024, what’s behind some of those sexy songs and lyrics on the album, writing songs for NSYNC vs. writing songs for theater, the superstar on Broadway who gave him advice for this new project, if we might see JC on stage anytime soon, what he feels the most proud of when looking back at his career, why he is so grateful to millennials, and so much more. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actress Britt Robertson who currently stars in The Merry Gentlemen on Netflix. You know and love Britt from roles in Life Unexpected, The Secret Circle, The Rookie:Feds, I Still Believe, and so much more. In The Merry Gentlemen, Britt plays Ashley, a Broadway dancer who returns home to save her parent’s small-town nightclub by staging an all-male Christmas themed review, led by Chad Michael Murray. Yes, this movie is quite steamy, but it’s also full of heart and Britt captures the magic of Christmas perfectly. Today, Britt opens up about why it was a no-brainer joining this film, her journey of learning that work doesn’t have to be the only thing that defines who she is as a person, how she bonded with Chad Michael Murray over hair, what teaming up with him was like for this film, her ideal sequel idea, why sometimes you need to be pushed out of your circumstances to open the door for life-changing opportunities, why its okay to not always be in control, how she is now conscious of making sure all of her cups are as full as possible, some eye opening things she has learned in therapy, where she sees herself in the future professionally, why she doesn’t like to go to movies with anyone she knows and so much more.

Subscribe, rate and review this episode if you enjoyed this conversation!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actor Anthony Keyvan! Anthony has been portraying roles in both film and television since he was five years old, but he became a household name by playing Rahim, an unrestrained and hysterical queer student in the series Love Victor. Now you know and love him from his starring role in XO, Kitty on Netflix, playing the lovable character of Q who also explores themes of identity within the LGBTQ+ community. Anthony plays Kitty’s best friend and every line he delivers is comedic gold. XO, Kitty is a coming-of-age story that is often praised for unpacking issues that are top of mind for teens, but it’s a series that people of all ages can relate to. Today, Anthony opens up about how he’s adjusting to all of the success surrounding XO, Kitty, why telling stories where people feel seen and represented is so important to him, the recent news of the Season 3 pick up, why playing his character Q is therapeutic, his first in-person meeting with co-star Anna Cathcart, the beautiful friendship they quickly formed, what he hopes to see for his character in Season 3, if he is Team #Minho, why playing a character who is half-Iranian and half-Filipino is so meaningful, what growing up in front of the world has been like, hardships he’s overcome working in Hollywood, the decision he made to open up about his mental health journey, where he is today with his mental health, how he almost passed on the opportunity to be in XO, Kitty and so much more.

Subscribe, rate, and review this episode if you enjoyed this conversation!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tommy is joined by Sang-Heon Lee of Netflix's XO Kitty. He opens up about his time living overseas, booking his first job, his journey to self-confidence and more!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tommy is joined by Edvin Ryding of Netflix's hit show "Young Royals." Edvin discusses the impact of "Young Royals" for the youth of the LGBTQ+ community, scenes from his career he would shoot again if he had the chance, and managing people's expectations of him. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by Marie Avgeropoulos, star of the post-apocalyptic smash-hit television series, The 100. The internet crowns The 100 as one of “the greatest TV shows of all time,” and for good reason. Marie opens up about what it was like playing a heroine warrior fighting for her survival, how the darkness of her character could be all-consuming on set, life after starring on a 7-season show, the defining moment when she personally developed a warrior mentality, looking at fear with a face of bravery, and that one time Stephen King sent her a surprising tweet. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by the brilliant actor, Dom Sherwood, who is best known for his starring role in the smash-hit mythical series, Shadowhunters. In a world full of warlocks, werewolves, vampires and monsters, Dom’s portrayal of a skilled soldier fighting against demons kept audiences coming back week after week. Dom was most recently in the Netflix series Partner Track, Showtime’s Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, and Vampire Academy, where he played the lead role of Christian. Dom opens up about why a show like Shadowhunters is a young boy’s dream, the importance of having a deep connection with his cast while doing an emotional show like this, how gratifying it was being part of a show that helped so many people feel seen, how he has reached some of his wildest dreams but still hopes to continue learning and growing, realizing that your happiness comes from inside of you, and how arguably the biggest pop star in the world right now gave him what he considers his big break. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by the one and only Rachael Ray. Rachael is a brilliant cook, television personality, businesswoman, best-selling author, philanthropist and a brand new podcast host…just to name a few of the many hats she wears. She rose to fame through her iconic series on the Food Network, 30 Minute Meals, before landing her own daily daytime talk show, The Rachael Ray Show, which went on for an impressive 17 seasons. When the show premiered, Rachael was immediately embraced by critics across the country. Time Magazine wrote, "You can't attract her kind of following by just being accessible. Ray, like Regis Philbin, is gifted at being on television." Newsweek praised Rachael as being "the most down-to-earth TV star on the planet,” and Forbes voted her #2 Most Trusted Celebrity. Today, Rachael opens up about why she has never looked back but instead only forward in her career, how she felt after choosing to wrap up her daytime talk show after almost two decades, why nothing makes her happier than putting in a hard day of work, the people along the way of her career who made a really big impact, how she has never paid attention to gossip or negative chatter, why she never has let fear dictate her life, the importance of continuing to learn something new no matter how much success you have, what made her want to jump into the podcast world, what’s next for the woman who has done it all, and so much more. 

Subscribe, rate, and review this episode if you enjoyed this conversation!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actress and recording artist Kira Kosarin, best known for her starring role in the smash-hit Nickelodeon television series, The Thundermans. The Thundermans is about a family with superpowers who try to live normal lives. Kira played Phoebe who dreams of being a superhero and using her powers for good, while her twin brother Max wants to be the next big supervillain and use his powers for evil. The series is now being rebooted as an all-new movie called The Thundermans Return, out now. Today, she opens up about what we can expect with the new movie, revisiting a character years later that she made peace with saying goodbye to, the emotional first day back on set, how slipping back into Phoebe’s shoes reinvigorated her love for acting, the fear that came with revisiting a beloved character, figuring out her place in Hollywood over the last few years after gaining so much success as a teenager, tuning out other people’s opinions and ideas of what her life should be, the importance of listening to our inner voice, and why pineapple on pizza is never a bad idea despite how polarizing it can be. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by Emmy nominated actors Matt Bomer and Jonathan Bailey. You know Matt from his incredible performances in White Collar, The Boys in the Band, Maestro, The Normal Heart and more. Jonathan exploded into worldwide superstardom after his break-out role in Bridgerton, and he will be in the upcoming highly anticipated Wicked and Jurassic World films. But today the conversation is all about their incredibly powerful series, Fellow Travelers, which centers on the decades-long romance between two men who first meet during the height of McCarthyism in the 1950s. This is a special edition episode of my podcast because this interview is from an event I moderated, presented by the prestigious 92nd Street Y New York. The 92nd Street Y New York is a world class center for arts and innovation. They offer extensive in-person and online classes and events, including live talks, concerts, and dance performances. I hope you enjoy this powerful and moving conversation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by highly-acclaimed television producer Robbie Rogers, whose latest show Fellow Travelers is out now! Fellow Travelers is an epic LGBTQ+ love story and political thriller, chronicling the volatile romance of two very different men who meet in McCarthy-era Washington, one of the darkest periods in American history. Over the course of four decades, we follow the stories of five powerful main characters. Robbie opens up about the scene that made him break down in tears on-set, how people from all different walks of life can take something away from this series, being called to projects that dive into LGBTQ+ history, coming out as one of the first openly gay professional athletes, and learning to be proud of who he is today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by Camilla Luddington, who stars in the ABC hit medical drama Grey’s Anatomy. Camilla is going into her 12th season of the series, which is an incredible testament to the power of the show, and the impressive character that she has created. Camilla opens up about joining a show that she was a huge fan of, the pressure that came along with that, the biggest challenge playing a character for over a decade, storylines she wants to explore for her character Dr. Joe Wilson in upcoming seasons, learning to let go of other people’s opinions, never having a plan B when it came to her career, and the Taylor Swift song she would listen to for the rest of her life. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actor Lucas Bravo who is currently melting hearts once again in Part 1 of Season 4 of the smash Netflix series, Emily in Paris. Lucas plays Gabriel, a dreamy chef turned restaurateur who has a complicated on-again off-again romance with his downstairs American transplant neighbor, Emily Cooper (Lily Collins). The show consistently sits at #1 on the Netflix charts and for good reason. Today, Lucas opens up about what makes Season 4 the most special to him, why he’s never felt closer to Lily Collins after filming this season, why he will forever be grateful to her, how the chemistry has grown from season one to now, if he thinks Emily and Gabriel are meant to be endgame, why he has always rooted for their relationship to thrive, learning to become comfortable with the sudden visibility the show’s success brought him, how his passion for acting also became his therapy, managing the imposter syndrome that still creeps in from time to time, and the one thing that always helps him refuel his soul. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by the very talented actor Milo Manheim, who became a household name for his staring role as Zed in Disney’s hit movie musical franchise ZOMBIES, which just wrapped production on its 4th installment. He is currently starring as Wally in the young adult drama series SCHOOL SPIRITS which just released its second season. It has become a wildly beloved show that landed in the Top 10 on Netflix for multiple weeks. And because Milo isn’t busy enough, he is currently making his Off-Broadway debut starring as Seymour in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS alongside Elizabeth Gillies, which is getting rave reviews. It’s safe to say that everything Milo touches turns to gold. Today, Milo opens up about what playing the iconic role of Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors has meant to him, why he was a bit intimated by co-star Liz Gillies before meeting her, the beautiful moment that he knew he could put all of his trust in her, the quirky thing they do during the show that no one knows about (until now), if stage fright ever creeps in before a performance, what living in NYC has taught him about himself, why he opening about his ADHD and anxiety for the first time, his message for people struggling with their own anxiety, his dream storyline in Season 3 of School Spirits, his love for reading comments and fan theories on Reddit, why the Zombies franchise will forever mean so much to him, how many more Zombies movies he wants to do, what his transition from working as an actor on the Disney Channel to stepping into adulthood was like, getting killed in a Sabrina Carpenter music video and so much more. 

Subscribe, rate, and review this episode if you enjoyed this conversation!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actor, singer and songwriter Ben Barnes! On the acting side, Ben has become known as “the king of fantasy.” He starred as Prince Caspian in The Chronicles of Narnia franchise before going on to create iconic performances in Dorian Gray, Westworld, Marvel’s The Punisher, and of course, the fan-favorite villain in the wildly popular Netflix series, Shadow and Bone. Earlier this year Ben released his debut album, “Where The Light Gets In.”  Inspired by the soul and pop music he loves so much, the album is about the different stages of a relationship; beginnings, tension, sorrow, sex, love, endings, nostalgia. It’s about how our history and our scars configure to make us who we are in this moment. Today, Ben opens up about how he had to get used to feeling more exposed as he became a household name, why now was the right time in his life to put aside a wildly successful acting career to focus on his music, the fears and pressures that came with introducing a different side of himself to the world, going after his dreams at a point in his life that might feel like its too late to many, why age is just a number and shouldn’t dictate your dreams, what he was hoping to achieve with his beautiful debut album, how he reveals a much more personal side to himself for the first time through his music, if he has any interest in giving the fans what they want: a role in the Harry Potter world, his thoughts on reprising his villainous role in Shadow and Bone, how the most critical things ever said about him were said by himself, and so much more. Subscribe, rate, and review this episode if you enjoyed this conversation!

Stream Ben’s album here: https://benbarnes.komi.io/

"One Minute More” video feat. Monica Martin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJM06N-naYA&ab_channel=BenBarnes

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, it’s a party on the podcast because Tommy is joined by Lindsay Lohan, Kristin Chenoweth and Ian Harding, who star in Our Little Secret on Netflix. The movie is about a girl who goes to meet her boyfriend’s family for the very first time over Christmas. But also staying with his family is her ex-boyfriend, who is dating her current boyfriend’s sister. Two exes under one roof for Christmas. As you can imagine, chaos ensues. Today, Lindsay opens up about why she was attracted to this unconventional story, the moment in this film where she just had to pay homage to Regina George, reuniting with Tim Meadows (a.k.a. Principal Duvall) for this movie, why Ian and Kristin wanted to jump at the opportunity to work with Lindsay, Kristin’s advice on how to play the perfect villain, how Ian felt about playing the quintessential hunky holiday heartthrob, what their relationships are like with grief, how they put one foot in front of the other when grieving, why its important to keep the people around you who bring you true joy, thoughts on a Mean Girls Christmas movie, what they each are manifesting for 2025, and so much more.

Subscribe, rate and review this episode if you enjoyed this conversation!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by Stockholm-based singer and actor Omar Rudberg. At just 25 years old, Omar has sold out arena shows in Sweden and tours here in America. At 14, he was the opening act for Justin Bieber and One Direction. And aside from his musical accomplishments, he is part of a certain fan-favorite project that further shot him into global superstardom: Young Royals. Young Royals is a teen drama romance series on Netflix that just dropped its third and final season. It follows the fictional Prince Wilhelm of Sweden and his romance with fellow student Simon Ericksson, played by Omar, and all of the wild, messy, beautiful drama that their love story brings. Today, Omar opens up about how he’s feeling with the show coming to an end, his friendship and brotherhood with co-star Edvin Ryding, a sentimental keepsake that he secretly took from the set, some brand-new music announcements, the music that will forever remind him of Young Royals, how proud he is to have been part of a show that celebrates the queer community, a top secret project he is working on with a top secret person, and his final farewell words to the fandom as he signs off from Young Royals.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the world premiere of I've Never Said This Before, Tommy is joined by Hunter Doohan of Netflix's hit show Wednesday. Hunter dishes on shooting in Romania, everything wrong with social media, how he deals with body image, and more. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actor Christopher Briney who stars in the highly anticipated new Mean Girls movie. Christopher plays the beloved role of Aaron Samuels, the heartthrob of North Shore High School, in this reimagined musical version of the fan-favorite 2004 film. Aside from navigating the trials and tribulations of the high school social pyramid in a world created by the iconic Tina Fey, you may also know him from his starring role as Conrad Fisher in the Amazon hit series, The Summer I Turned Pretty. Christopher opens up about how he hopes a new generation of people fall in love with the world of Mean Girls, almost saying no to playing Aaron Samuels, taking on characters throughout his career that fans already know and love, the pressure that comes along with that, how The Summer I Turned Pretty changed his life, handling the good and bad of people’s opinions on social media, and why he is saying the word “yes” more in 2024. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by acting powerhouses Jared Padalecki and Genevieve Padalecki for a rare joint interview. Jared is of course best known for his iconic role as Sam Winchester on the CW series Supernatural which ran for an incredible 15 seasons. He first gained national attention playing Rory’s charming and loyal boyfriend Dean on Gilmore Girls. Fast forward to today, he developed and stars in Walker on the CW which is airing its series finale on June 26th. His beautiful wife Gen is best known for her starring roles on the ABC Family series Wildfire, and of course the legendary Supernatural. She just finished playing Emily alongside her husband in Walker. Today Jared and Gen open up about how it has been processing the end of a show that means so much to them, what they have most learned about themselves through doing the series Walker, growing up on television in front of the world for most of their lives, the ways in which they work towards keeping their commitment and marriage strong while balancing demand jobs and a busy family life, what would make Jared say yes to a Supernatural reboot, their biggest personal and professional dreams, the importance of paying attention to our mental health, one of the most embarrassing things that has ever happened to Gen, and so much more. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actor Edvin Ryding, best known for his starring role in the Netflix smash-hit series, Young Royals. Edvin has played Prince Wilhelm of Sweden over the last three seasons in a show that has taken over the world. We have followed his journey with fellow student Simon Ericksson (played by Omar Rudberg) and all of the wild, messy, beautiful drama that their love story brings. Young Royals is one of the strongest representations of queer love ever created, which is one of the many reasons why so many people have fallen in love with this show. Today, Edvin opens up about what it was like saying goodbye to a role that meant so much to him, how he will forever be connected to his character Prince Wilhelm, if the ending of Young Royals was what he always imagined, what he thinks happens in the love story of Wilhelm and Simon, one of the most impactful moments in the entire series for him, what him and his co-star Omar are cooking up next with their secret project, that famous scene of his character removing his nail polish, some items he had to snatch from set after wrapping, and how he always strives to dream big, but live even bigger. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Introducing the new podcast I’ve Never Said This Before with Tommy DiDario!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by international pop star Leigh-Anne Pinnock, who was a member of the multi-platinum selling girl band Little Mix. But now, it is her solo era and we are eagerly awaiting her highly-anticipated debut album. Leigh-Anne opens up about breaking free from the group dynamic to share her truest self, what we can expect with her upcoming album, the importance of loving yourself enough to not let people undervalue you, taking social media breaks, and reclaiming every piece of her power. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actor Tanner Buchanan, best known for stealing the world’s attention in his breakout role of Robby in the hit Netflix series, Cobra Kai. Cobra Kai is the sequel to the original Karate Kid films, and the sixth and final season is set to release later this year. But next up, Tanner can be seen in the romantic comedy How To Date Billy Walsh, out now on Amazon. Today, Tanner opens up about how he can relate to feeling misunderstood like his character Billy Walsh, how we all have multiple layers that make up who we are, why we shouldn’t be defined by other people’s perception of us, his journey of becoming comfortable in his own skin, why it’s still hard to get used to seeing himself on a movie poster, what we can expect in the final season of Cobra Kai, how the filming process has been going over the last few months (hint: lots of Advil has been used), and how you too can master a slow motion walk.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by the incredibly talented rapper and actress Bre-Z. She rose to worldwide fame playing Freda Gatz on the hit Fox drama Empire, working alongside Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard. Fast forward to today, she currently stars in the CW hit show, All American, now in its sixth season. The 100th episode of All American airs this summer which is an incredible milestone that many shows don’t have the opportunity to reach. Today Bre-Z opens up about how working as a barber led her to the opportunity of a lifetime in Hollywood that changed her life forever, joining one of the most popular shows on television at the time for her very first acting job, how she pushed fear aside to just focus on the job in front of her, creating original songs for her role on Empire, what she most relates to playing Coop on All American, how the show tackles real-life topics in a way that makes audiences feel represented, why its okay to not know everything, remaining authentic in an industry that makes it very difficult to do so, why she proudly stepped into being a role model for visibility among a community of people who don’t feel seen, the importance of disconnecting from time to time to protect her mental health, and a powerful realization she had one year ago. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actress Sarah Drew who is best known for playing the fan-favorite role of Dr. April Kepner for 9 seasons on Grey’s Anatomy. This role catapulted Sarah into becoming a household name and even a trending hashtag (#JAPRIL) week after week. Now she is bringing some holiday cheer, starring in and executive producing the series, Mistletoe Murders out now on HALLMARK+. Sarah stars as Emily Lane in a series that blends the mystery and intrigue of Veronica Mars with the festive charm of Hallmark’s holiday programming. Today, Sarah opens up about what she’s most proud of from her long-running character on Grey’s Anatomy, the ways she transformed as a person throughout her time playing April, how she worked through the pain of being let go from the series, the important lessons she learned through that difficult time, her thoughts on returning to Grey’s Anatomy, why her heart is singing with her latest project, Mistletoe Murders, if working on a Christmas project is as magical as it seems, why she feels that she is in the greatest chapter of her career, the sobering lesson she learned about the importance of being present, how a Pixar movie allowed her to really acknowledge the good and bad of her emotions, if she agrees that Mariah is the queen of Christmas, and so much more. 

Subscribe, rate and review this episode if you enjoyed this conversation!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by Jason Derulo, the award-winning singer, songwriter, entrepreneur and now author of his part self-help, part memoir, Sing Your Name Out Loud. Jason opens up about his childhood dreams of becoming one of the biggest pop stars in the world, overcoming one of the darkest times in his life, the rules he lives by to find success and stay on a path to greatness, and how even the biggest global superstars can feel vulnerable. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actor Skylar Astin, best known for his star-making role as Jesse in the hit Pitch Perfect franchise. Skylar has so many incredible credits to his name, but today we are talking about one show that millions of people are tuning into each week and for good reason. He currently stars in the hit CBS show, So Help Me Todd. Skylar stars as Todd, a directionless but talented private investigator who works alongside his mom (played by the brilliant Marcia Gay Harden), at her successful law firm. Today, he opens up about what its really like starring in a fast-paced dramedy, what’s coming down the line for the rest of Season 2, how he worked his singing into the series in an unexpected way, how the projects that turned him into a household name will forever hold a special place in his heart, the importance of living his life with gratitude and remaining humble in Hollywood, why he will never tell someone they can’t do something, and how his cast felt like “The Beatles of 49th street” during his Spring Awakening days. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actress Jennifer Love Hewitt who you know and love from starring in Party of Five, the I Know What You Did Last Summer films, The Client List, Ghost Whisperer, Heartbreakers, 9-1-1 and so much more. Jennifer is also a singer and songwriter with her most recent album, Barenaked, becoming her first album to chart in the United States and on the Billboard 200 chart. She has a brand new memoir out now titled “Inheriting Magic,” which chronicles her journey through grief, joy, celebration and making every day magical. Jennifer will also will be starring, directing and executive producing the Lifetime film “The Holiday Junkie,” out December 14. Today, Jennifer opens up about how she found hope and joy after her mother’s passing, why her new memoir is so meaningful to her in this chapter of her life, how she got to a place of peace with her relationship with grief, her advice on creating magical moments in simple yet meaningful ways, how her brand The Holiday Junkie turned into a movie, what it was like growing up in front of the world as a working child actor, what we can expect with her storyline when 9-1-1 returns, if she is interested in adapting Heartbreakers into a television series, what she thinks about some of her earliest albums, if she will be stepping back into the shoes of Julie James for the I Know What You Did Last Summer reboot, what projects she revisits the most, what gives her anxiety about parenting, and so much more. 

Subscribe, rate, and review this episode if you enjoyed this conversation!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we get ready to enter a brand new year, I revisit powerful moments from some of your favorite stars like Justin Hartley of Tracker, Caterina Scorsone of Grey’s Anatomy, Jared Padalecki of Supernatural/Walker, Oliver Stark of 9-1-1, Bre-Z of All American, Lana Parrilla of Once Upon a Time and Jennifer Love Hewitt. This episode is a reminder that no matter how successful one may be, we all go through experiences in life that are defining moments for us. We all hurt, and hopefully we all heal. We all have doubts, worries, and fears. We all learn important life lessons through our lived experiences. We all have things that we have never said before. I have always believed that through having real, honest and open conversation, we can feel a little less alone in this increasingly difficult world to navigate. I hope what these guests open up about in this episode help you feel seen. And I hope that the stories, advice, and perspectives they share help you enter 2025 feeling like you are putting your very best foot forward. Thank you for tuning in all year. Here’s to a wonderful new chapter. See you next year.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Los Angeles. The city has always been a second home for me. As a kid who fell in love with Old Hollywood films, I dreamed of visiting the City of Angels. And once I did, I fell in love with such a magical place. Years later I would start working in the entrainment industry, leading me to visit LA multiple times a year for over a decade. It truly became a home away from home.

I have so many friends and family living in a city that is picking up the pieces to figure out what’s next. My heart is so heavy. The fire is all I can think about. But if there is any hope I have, it’s that the community is already rallying together to collectively heal. I have a feeling we will see stories coming out, highlighting the very best of humanity. And when my friend Jennifer Love Hewitt told me about her initiative to give back to the victims of the fires, I knew I had to bring her on The Elvis Duran Show to hear how we all can join in helping. In this episode Jennifer opens up for the first time about how she has been doing since the fires hit, her new clothing collection with BFFS and BABES in which 100% of proceeds help Baby2Baby, how to continue supporting LA from afar and so much more. 

Subscribe, rate, and review this episode if you enjoyed this conversation!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by the brilliant screenwriter and showrunner, Lisa Ambjörn, best known for co-creating the smash hit Netflix series, Young Royals. The series became an international phenomenon the moment Season 1 dropped, and is one of the most important shows on television for the LGBTQ+ community. Young Royals is a drama about freedom, love and structural inequality embodied in a 16-year-old Swedish prince who falls in love with a working class boy. With the full final season officially out now, Lisa joins the show to dive into a series that means so much to so many (and yes, there will be plenty of spoilers in this conversation so make sure you are all caught up on the final episode). Today, she opens up about if she always knew how she wanted Young Royals to end, what working on that final scene was like, why Omar and Edvin were the right choices to play the leading men, if she would have done anything differently throughout the series, what impressed her the most with Omar and Edvin’s performances, the thing she is most proud of with the show, how it is so important to let people love who they love, and why there will always be an element of queerness in her future projects.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actress Lacey Chabert who became an icon in pop culture history by playing Gretchen Wieners in Tina Fey’s beloved movie, Mean Girls. Since then, she has accumulated countless credits to her name, including starring in over three dozen Hallmark movies. But now she is spreading the holiday cheer by joining Hot Frosty on Netflix, which hit #1 on the charts within 24 hours of its debut. Today, Lacey opens up about why she wanted to join this whimsical Christmas movie, that Lindsay Lohan cameo that lit the internet on fire, what it was like working as an actor at just 7 years old, growing up in front of the public eye, what reuniting last year with some of her Mean Girls cast meant to her, if she is down to do a Mean Girls Christmas movie, the family she formed while working on Party of Five, how even when life isn’t easy she tries to find the joy, what her relationship is like with grief, why its important to allow yourself to feel sad in those moments, if she wants to return back to the Broadway stage one day, and so much more. 

Subscribe, rate and review this episode if you enjoyed this conversation! 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by Simone Ashley and Hero Fiennes Tiffin, who are currently starring in the smash-hit romantic comedy, Picture This. The movie is about a struggling photographer named Pia (Simone) who is told she'll find true love and career success within the next five dates she goes on. With her sister's wedding approaching and her family playing matchmaker, her ex Charlie (Hero) soon reappears, throwing her life into chaos. You know and love Simone from her role in the wildly popular series Sex Education, and of course from starring opposite Jonathan Bailey in the second season of Bridgerton. Hero has a special place in the hearts of many Harry Potter fans because he played a young Tom Riddle in the sixth Harry Potter Film, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, before going on to star in the fan-favorite After franchise. Today, Simone and Hero open up about what it was about this story that made them want to be a part of it, if they can describe one another using only three emojis, if they are open to the idea of going on a blind date, the scene that they were most terrified to do in this film, if Hero prefers playing a darker character or a comedic role, the moment a bee stung Simone when she was filming with Hero and what she did next, if Simone keeps hearing about those steamy scenes between her and Jonathan Bailey, will we see Kate and Anthony as parents in season four, how it was for Simone producing a film for her first time, what’s to come with her new production company, if Hero wants to step into the Wizarding World again, a defining moment for them as artists, their relationships with social media and how they navigate protecting their peace, and so much more. Subscribe, rate, and review this episode if you enjoyed this conversation!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actress Bailee Madison, currently starring in season 2 of the smash hit series, Pretty Little Liars: Summer School on Max. The series is a reboot of the massively successful Pretty Little Liars, and follows a brand new set of liars who find themselves being tormented by an unknown assailant. Friendships are tested, dreamy love interests are introduced and secrets are revealed. Today, Bailee opens up about being a superfan of the original Pretty Little Liars series, how grateful she is to be working with a cast of women that she can relate to, the bonds that have formed with her cast mates,  how one of the original stars of Pretty Little Liars encouraged her to audition for the series during their work out class, the reality of growing up and transforming from a child actor to a young adult in the public eye, the importance of protecting your own energy, that it is okay to do certain things for yourself and not for other people, how Tobey Maguire’s kindness has left a lasting impression on her, and that one time Margot Robbie appeared in her dream with a special message. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actor and singer Jamie Campbell Bower, best known for playing the highly talked about villain Henry, aka Vecna, in the smash-hit Netflix series, Stranger Things. His performance has forever cemented him as being one of the most epic villains in the history of television and film. Jamie is currently in the middle of filming the fifth and final season of the series. You may also know Jamie from captivating audiences as Anthony in Tim Burton’s 2007 gothic musical extravaganza, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and co-starring in The Moral Instruments: City of Bones, or from Fantastic Beasts, Twilight, and so many other impressive television and film credits. Today Jamie opens up about his brand new single “Home,” why he was delighted but also terrified to step into the country music space, how he often felt like he didn't belong while growing up and still sometimes feels that today, the fine line between maintaining privacy but also opening up in his music, a sneak peek into what filming the final season of Stranger Things has been like, if his voice ever gets hoarse from playing Vecna, why that voice is sacred to him, his brand new movie dropping June 28th called Horizon, why he wants to glamorize sobriety, the importance of embracing the beautiful moments in life, and how he is still getting used to all of the attention that comes with being on a hit tv show. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actress Caterina Scorsone who currently stars as Dr. Amelia Shepherd in the groundbreaking hit ABC series, Grey's Anatomy. Caterina has played this fan-favorite character for about 14 years, appearing on Private Practice, Grey’s Anatomy, and Station 19, becoming a beloved staple in the Shondaland universe. Her character means so much to so many people for a variety of different reasons, one being that she has become the longest running queer character on television. Today, she opens up about her journey playing a character that is so close to her heart, the importance of her queer love story with Dr. Kai, her hopes for the future with that relationship, how she treats her character’s struggle with addiction with thoughtfulness and care, her love for the spin-off series Station 19, how she has created a positive relationship with grief, taking time to nurture her spirit so that she can be the best version of herself, and what we can look forward to when the new season of Grey’s Anatomy drops on March 14th.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by acting powerhouses Eliza Taylor and Bob Morley for a rare joint interview. They are best known for their starring roles in the post-apocalyptic smash-hit television series, The 100, which ran for an incredible 7 seasons. The internet crowns The 100 as one of “the greatest TV shows of all time,” and for good reason. Aside from this fan-favorite series, you can currently watch Bob in Love Me and In Limbo, streaming on Hulu, and you can catch Eliza on NBC’s Quantum Leap season 2 streaming on Peacock. Today Eliza and Bob open up about what they miss the most about being on The 100, how they are both eager to play their characters again, what playing the network’s first openly bisexual character meant to Eliza, what they have learned about themselves through being on a series for so many years, the moment Bob realized he needed to protect his mental health towards the end of filming the 100, what they want to see if a reboot happens, how they prioritize their marriage while being parents and having demanding careers, balancing feeling proud and successful of their work while worrying about what comes next, and something that they both want to share for the first time in hopes of helping other people feel less alone. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actor Ryan Guzman, best known for his starring role in the smash hit drama series 9-1-1, currently airing Season 7 on ABC. 9-1-1 is one of the most watched shows on primetime television, chronicling the high-pressure experiences of first responders who are thrust into the most frightening, shocking and heart-stopping situations. What makes this show even more special is that we see what happens after these characters hang up their firefighting gear. Today, Ryan opens up about his journey playing Eddie, how being in 9-1-1 helped him feel like he finally belonged as an actor, the storyline that will forever hold a special place in his heart, why he is proud of Buck for coming out as bisexual, if he’s tired of being asked if his character will spark up a romance with Buck, what the future of Eddie’s love life may look like, if we will ever see that famous karaoke scene that got cut from the show, what it was like filming Eddie’s mental health breakdown, what Ryan has most learned about himself through playing this character over so many years, how he’s learned that showing an unpolished version of yourself is so much healthier than pretending to be something you're not, and working through his own struggles with mental health. 

Warning: This interview contains mentions of suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741, or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by the one and only… Billy Porter! Billy is an award-winning actor, singer, director, composer and playwright. Right now, he is brilliantly living out his international pop star dreams. Billy opens up about his upcoming new music in the album The Black Mona Lisa, refusing to be put into a box that doesn’t reflect his truth, how his “liability” was actually his superpower, why he is so grateful to be alive, the time he ended up on a call with Taylor Swift, and that it’s never too late to go after your wildest dreams. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actors Joey King and Logan Lerman who are currently starring in the limited series, We Were the Lucky Ones, out now on Hulu. The series is inspired by the true story of one Jewish family separated at the start of World War 2, determined to survive and reunite. We Were the Lucky Ones demonstrates how in the face of the 20th century’s darkest moments, the human spirit can endure and even thrive. Today, Joey and Logan open up about working on a series that is deeply personal to them, they reflect back on The Kissing Booth franchise and The Percy Jackson films: projects that made them become household names, how they are uncomfortable with the concept of being famous, being proud of where they are in this moment in their careers, and both of their unfortunate experiences with shaving for the first time. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by the always dapper, the always smooth, Michael Bublé. Michael has sold more than 75 million albums worldwide over the course of his extraordinary career. His voice is often described as one of the best of our time, and it’s a voice that can do it all: pop, swing, jazz, R&B and more. He takes his audiences on a special journey with every song he performs. In this conversation, Bublé opens up about his new whiskey company Fraser & Thompson, the sentimental meaning behind the name, how creating a whiskey brand is not much different than how he creates his music, working with the legendary Cher to re-record his song “Home,” and how important it is to be living in the now. 

https://fraserandthompsonwhiskey.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actress Lindsey Morgan who shot into international superstardom by playing the beloved role of Raven Reyes in the post-apocalyptic smash-hit television series, The 100, which ran for an incredible 7 seasons. The internet crowns The 100 as one of “the greatest TV shows of all time,” and for good reason. While she has played many impressive roles in films and television, another fan-favorite role you may recognize Lindsey from is the CW hit series, Walker, which she starred in opposite Jared Padalecki. Today, Lindsey opens up about what it was like jumping from one of the most successful soap operas to a primetime television series, navigating through the exploding world of social media when The 100 started airing, if she thinks about her time playing Raven often, what she loved about her time on the show, if she would reprise her character again in a reboot or spin-off, how you can’t go through life always seeking the approval of others, the importance of putting your mental health first even if it means making an incredibly difficult decision, how she got to a point in her life where she really wanted to be seen, and reveals for the very first time why she left her starring role in Walker after the second season. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actress Melissa Peterman, who you most likely fell in love with from her role in the smash hit television series Reba, where she worked alongside the one and only Reba McEntire. All is right in the world because she is teaming up with her friend once again in NBC’s comedy, Happy’s Place, which just got renewed for a second season. Happy’s Place is about a tough and lovable woman who inherits her late father’s Tennessee tavern, only to discover that her new co-owner is also the half sister she never knew she had. Melissa plays Gabby who has worked at the tavern for quite some time, and her character is a total vibe. It’s a series about 3 women in totally different places in their lives. On paper they seem so opposite one another, but in reality, they all have much to learn from each other. Today, Melissa opens up about that emotional moment she found out Happy’s Place got picked up for a second season, why she thinks the show is connecting with so many people, if she was a bit anxious to tell a different kind of story after the massive success she had with the Reba series, why she wants to continue working with Reba, how their friendship has formed over the years, what vacationing together is like, what it was like reuniting with Christopher Rich, what we can expect with the upcoming season finale, one of her secrets to longevity as a non-stop working actress, the importance of taking chances and showing up no matter how big or small the opportunity may seem, what she has learned through moments of rejection throughout her career, one of her greatest life lessons, the moment she realized she was funny and could create a career in comedy, her recent powerful revelation about being a mom, and so much more. Subscribe, rate, and review this episode if you enjoyed this conversation!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by Tyler Henry, the most sought-after clairvoyant medium in the United States and around the world. Tyler is the star of the Netflix series Life After Death. He’s known for bringing comfort, closure, and hope to thousands of people through his heartfelt readings, and millions through his shows. Tyler opens up about struggling to step into his true identity, powerful life lessons learned through being a medium, how he handles the skeptics, who Tyler really is beyond his abilities, and that one time a ghost gave him a scare during a peaceful shower. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by Matthew López, the co-writer and director of the highly-anticipated film, “Red, White & Royal Blue,” which is based on the best-selling novel by Casey McQuiston. Matthew opens up about why Nicholas Galitzine and Taylor Zakhar Perez were the right choices to play the leading men, the moment on-set that blew him away, the importance of the love scenes, and why leading with kindness will always be what he strives for. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actor Ed Westwick, best known for his breakout role of Chuck Bass in the pop culture phenomenon known as Gossip Girl. The show was based off the tremendously popular book series which catapulted Ed into international stardom. Ed has gone on to play so many other incredible characters in film and television, but out now is his new movie, DarkGame. He plays a detective who is in a race against time to stop a twisted game show on the dark web where captives are forced to compete for their lives. Today, he opens up about how he’s always wanted to play a detective, what working on an intensely dark film was like, how the film mirrors society’s need to constantly be experiencing life through a screen, the importance of not limiting yourself based on what others think you should and shouldn’t be doing, cultivating a mindset that life is an adventure and bad days will happen, how he misses his Gossip Girl character and would jump at the opportunity to step into his shoes again, and the moment when he recently broke the internet by revisiting the old stomping grounds of the beloved character of Chuck Bass. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by Clinton Kelly and Stacy London for one of their first interviews since reconciling after a very public feud. Clinton and Stacy took pop culture by storm with their smash-hit television series What Not To Wear on TLC from 2003-2013. They became household names, but everything wasn’t as perfect as it seemed. In this beautifully moving and hopeful conversation, we move way deeper than the massive amounts of clickbait headlines that have disappointed Clinton and Stacy for years. This is THEIR story. They open up about the difficulties of navigating rapid fame, being thrust into the spotlight in a booming reality television landscape, reuniting and taking the next chapter of their friendship on the road, the healing power of forgiveness, and taking control of their careers while not relying on anyone else but themselves. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actor Gavin Leatherwood, who became a household name by playing the beloved role as a warlock named Nicholas in the hit Netflix drama series, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Just in time for spooky season, his latest film, It’s What’s Inside, drops October 4th on Netflix. It was the largest acquisition out of Sundance in 2024, and Netflix paid a record breaking $17 million for this psychological thriller. Today, Gavin opens up about if he often thinks about his time on Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, his thoughts on revisiting the series if a reboot or spin-off came around, what he really thought about how the series ended, the spontaneous adventure he went on right after the series wrapped, why playing a character so opposite of him in It’s What’s Inside was so fulfilling, who he would choose to swap bodies with if given the chance, why he always wants to continue pushing himself out of his comfort zone, his complicated relationship with social media, how he protects his mental health, why the company he keeps is so important to him, how he actively tries to eliminate the phrase “I hate” from his vocabulary, and so much more. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by the legendary Rob Thomas, who rose to fame as the co-founder and lead singer of Matchbox Twenty. The band burst onto the scene in the mid 90’s and has remained as one of the most beloved multi-generational bands in the world. Rob continues to toggle between being a frontman for the rock band and a Grammy-nominated solo star. Rob opens up about what he’s most proud of when he looks back at his incredible career, the importance of writing original music, where his inspiration comes from, how his song “Push” ended up in Barbie, releasing a Christmas album when the world so badly needed a bit of joy, how he prefers that people know his songs more than they know him, and the number one artist he hopes to someday sing a duet with. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by star of "The Vampire Diaries" and host of "A Superbloom Podcast," Candice King. Candice breaks down her favorite memories of working on a hit show, how she balances work with motherhood, and how she defines success. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by Laura Marano, an accomplished actress, singer, and songwriter who just released her powerful debut album, I May Be An Actress, but I Can’t Fake How I Feel. Laura opens up about times in her life when she didn’t feel like she was enough, how even the seemingly happiest people may not always be okay, her love/hate relationship with social media, learning to let go of the things that you can’t control in life, and how after stormy times, she holds onto hope that a rainbow will appear.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.