I've Never Said This Before With Tommy DiDario

This week, Tommy is joined by actress Joy Sunday who is currently captivating audiences in Season 2 of the smash-hit series Wednesday. Joy plays Bianca, the commanding and cool siren who has the ability to control people’s minds just by using her voice in the most watched English language series in Netflix history. Today, Joy opens up about the 18 group chats she’s in with her cast, what she has most enjoyed exploring from Season 1 to Season 2 as Bianca, if Bianca and Wednesday can ever be best friends, if she wants to see Bianca have a love interest next season, the powerful ways she relates to her character, fan girling over Catherine Zeta-Jones, if we will ever see Bianca in her non-human form, how she had to release control when it came to auditioning for Wednesday, how she has to fight to keep believing in herself, overcoming debilitating stagefright, who she would love to play in a biopic, revealing more of a secret talent, stepping into her directing era, the heavy burden she sometimes feels, and so much more. Subscribe, rate, and leave a written review for this episode if you enjoyed this conversation!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of “Tommy Talk,” Tommy discusses how dealing with anxiety led him to find a personal gratitude practice that changed his outlook on life. This gratitude practice can greatly improve your mental, emotional and even physical well-being, and I am opening up to share it with you today. For anyone looking for super simple ways to shift your perspective, this episode is for you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actor Hunter Doohan who you know and love from his role as Tyler, aka the Hyde, in Wednesday on Netflix. The series is one of Netflix’s biggest hits of all time and for good reason. Season 2, Part 2 is out right now and Hunter is taking us on a journey with his brilliantly intense, multi-layered and creepy performance. Hunter also has a powerful film coming out on October 17th called The Wilderness. In The Wilderness, a group of troubled teenage boys are kidnapped from their homes and taken deep into the unforgiving Utah desert, where they are forced into a brutal and secretive Wilderness Therapy program. And right now he is filming the highly anticipated Evil Dead Burn. Today (in this spoiler-filled conversation), Hunter opens up about what it felt like to finally return back to playing Tyler, what some of the wildest things have been that he’s gotten to sink his teeth into in this role, if he thinks Tyler is in love with Wednesday, what transforming into the Hyde on set is really like, his favorite moments this season with Jenna and the rest of the cast, where he wants Tyler’s story to go in Season 3, if he reads the fan theories and Reddit threads, the personal reasons why he wanted to do a film like The Wilderness, why he felt nervous to do it, what filming the new Evil Dead Burn has been like, how he would love to be a part of Overcompensating Season 2, how Jonathan Bailey is a big inspiration to him, why he sometimes is hesitant to share his personal life, why he cautions people to not believe everything that you see online, and so much more. Subscribe, rate, and leave a written review for this episode if you enjoyed this conversation!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of “Tommy Talk,” Tommy discusses when it’s time to unfollow or mute someone on Instagram. Your Instagram feed is your personal space, and you should see content that makes you feel good from people that make you feel good. But there are definitely a few things to consider when going for that “mute" or “unfollow" button. Let’s dive in. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actress Danielle Savre who you know and love from playing the beloved role of Maya Bishop on the long-running series, Station 19. Danielle created a character over the course of 7 seasons that means so much to so many, making people all over the world feel represented and seen. This is a conversation that is good for the soul. Today, Danielle opens up about how she has grown the most over the last year full of change, why grief hit her the hardest very recently over not returning to Station 19, if she allows herself to dream of playing Maya Bishop again, when she realized the impact her character’s love story with Carina was having on the world, how she dealt with the pressure of representing the LGBTQ+ community and the female firefighter communities, those #Marina scenes she still thinks about today, navigating a sometimes uncomfortable transitional phase of her career, learning that she is defined by more than her work, allowing herself the space to grow as a human and not just as an artist, the advice she would give to anyone feeling stuck in their personal or professional lives, what she hopes to start, stop and continuing doing for the rest of the year, something she has never said before, and so much more. Subscribe, rate, and leave a written review for this episode if you enjoyed this conversation!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of “Tommy Talk,” Tommy discusses who should pay for the first date. First dates can be nerve-racking. Sometimes slightly awkward. When that bill comes, what do you do? Tommy shares a story from dating in his early 20’s that has stayed with him to this day.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actor Corey Mylchreest who captured the world with his break-out role as King George in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, the prequel to the hit Netflix series, Bridgerton. He also recently starred opposite Sofia Carson in My Oxford Year which instantly shot to the #1 spot globally upon its debut. And out now, you can catch Corey in the high-stakes political thriller, Hostage on Netflix. Today, Corey opens up about why playing King George was so special to him, how he handled his life changing so fast and furiously, if there is any truth to a possible second season of Queen Charlotte, what attracts him to playing vulnerable men, the emotional toll it can take, how he formed chemistry with Sofia Carson for My Oxford Year, the truth about him being a good or bad singer, why he is someone who loves love, how he unwinds with his guilty pleasure Love Island, what stepping into a political thriller like Hostage is like, what actor he would love to play in a biopic, an important life lesson he’s learned about himself over the last years, something he has never said before, and so much more. Subscribe, rate, and leave a written review for this episode if you enjoyed this conversation! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this very vulnerable episode of “Tommy Talk,” Tommy discusses navigating grief. After the sudden loss of his long-time mentor and friend, Tommy opens up about what it’s been like going through the many different stages of grief. A lot of fear came with releasing this episode. Grief is an emotion not often shared in such a public way. But through collectively discussing something that so many of us go through, hopefully we can all feel a little less alone when we are grieving the ones we love. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by the brilliant actress Lana Parrilla, who you know and love from playing some powerful women throughout her impressive career, including one of my favorites, the Evil Queen in Once Upon a Time. Lana is showing the world once again that she is a force to be reckoned with in her new series, The Rainmaker, which is out right now. Today, Lana opens up about playing a brassy and ballsy character like Bruiser in her new series, why she most relates to this character from her entire body of work, the powerful life lesson she learned through her audition process, what the challenges of living and working in a different country for six months are like, what she does to create a “home” wherever she lives for work, the Ireland dance parties that went down, if she really would do a Once Upon a Time reboot of some sort, the last time she watched Once, how playing The Evil Queen healed relationships in her personal life, the scenes of hers that she would show a Once Upon a Time newbie if they only had a few minutes, which character of hers she would want to be neighbors with, what’s on her Bruiser playlist, what character she would want to revisit, the advice she would give to her future self, what she has never said before (to a special someone), and so much more. Subscribe, rate, and leave a written review for this episode if you enjoyed this conversation!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of “Tommy Talk,” Tommy discusses the power of saying “No.” It’s one of the hardest things for us to say, but why? Let’s dive into how saying that tiny little word can help us step into our power.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actress and singer Meg Donnelly who has played the fan-favorite character of Addison in the last four Zombies movies. Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires has been one of the biggest movies of the summer! You may also know and love Meg from her role in another beloved series, American Housewife, or maybe you’ve been streaming her debut EP, “dying art,” which is a deeply personal portrait of finding your way in a fast-changing world. Today, Meg opens up about what the Zombies franchise has meant to her, the most challenging part of filming those films, if she is happy with how Zombies 4 ended, if she shot any of the alternate endings, if she really feels like this is the end of the Zombies franchise for her, the moment that made her emotional when filming this last movie, why she felt protective of Freya and Malachi, what she hoped to achieve with her debut EP, the most personal thing she opened up about for the first time, the song she was most nervous to put out, if she is getting more comfortable not playing it as safe anymore, how she battles with imposter syndrome, the thing that freaks her out in the kitchen, and so much more. Subscribe, rate, and review this episode if you enjoyed this conversation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of “Tommy Talk,” Tommy discusses something that is making him spiral: stop commenting on women’s bodies. This is a heated one! If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate and review! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by international pop star Nick Carter who rose to fame in the Backstreet Boys, the best-selling boy band in history. The Backstreet Boys ranks as one of the world’s top-selling music artists of all time. Nick’s 30 year entertainment journey has extended far beyond sold-out arenas, encompassing a range of diverse projects in television, film, philanthropy and publishing. Nick is currently selling out the Las Vegas Sphere with his fellow Backstreet Boys in their “Into The Millennium” residency. Because he’s not busy enough this year, he also dropped his most recent solo album, “LOVE LIFE TRAGEDY,” which upon release debuted at No. 1 on the Worldwide Top Albums chart. Today, Nick opens up about what it was like being leaders in the pop renaissance that exploded in the 90’s, why he turned down the Mickey Mouse Club for a shot with what would become the Backstreet Boys, how the guys curated their set list for their Vegas residency, the songs he is always most psyched to perform, what Backstreet Boy song he can’t get out of his head, the meaning behind the powerful title of his latest solo album, what he attributes to his longevity in the music business, one of the greatest life lessons he’s learned over the last 30 years of his career, his exciting new vinyl project, if that white cat represents anything, something he has never said before, and so much more. Subscribe, rate, and leave a written review for this episode if you enjoyed this conversation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of “Tommy Talk,” Tommy shares what interviewing your favorite stars at a red carpet premiere is really like…and it might surprise you! Subscribe, rate, and leave a written review for this episode!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by the undeniable breakout star of Love Island USA Season 6, Leah Kateb. Leah has dominated the conversation like no one before her, cementing her place as a pop culture icon. She has an electric and unapologetic authenticity and charisma, and we are seeing that on full display in Love Island: Beyond The Villa. Today, Leah opens up about how distance and time have affected her thoughts on that “situationship" with Rob, a side to Miguel that the viewers didn’t always get to see, what made her realize she could open up and trust Miguel in the villa, advice she would give Islanders both in and out of the villa, the biggest ways Serena and JaNa helped her while living in the villa, the very different types of advice they give her, who the most unhinged Powerpuff Girl is, if she watches the new season of Love Island, her thoughts on Cierra being removed from the villa for her past racist remarks, how she has dealt with racism herself, why she had to think twice about returning to reality TV so quickly, what a certain producer said to both her and Miguel that negatively impacted her mental health, the lies told by this producer that made her want to leave the villa, stepping into her business woman era with Skylar, if we can expect a “Spare Me” fragrance, what she has never said before, and so much more.Subscribe, rate, and leave a written review for this episode if you enjoyed this conversation!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of “Tommy Talk,” Tommy discusses what he’s learned in almost 10 years of marriage, and he gets vulnerable about why his marriage means so much to him. Subscribe, rate and leave a written review for this episode so we can see your thoughts!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actress Jennifer Love Hewitt who is currently reprising her role as the iconic final girl Julie James in I Know What You Did Last Summer. This is a spoiler-filled conversation so get ready to hear about all the things she hasn’t been able to talk about up until this point. This episode is a love letter to the fans of the I Know What You Did Last Summer franchise + we chat about a few other things that you won’t want to miss (ahem, 9-1-1 fans). And of course we hear what she has never said before. Subscribe, rate, and comment on this episode if you enjoyed this conversation, and don’t miss my bite size series, TOMMY TALK, that drops every Friday on my podcast where I take on a topic that many of us can relate to. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of “Tommy Talk,” Tommy discusses something many of us have experienced or may be currently experiencing: should you tell a close friend their partner sucks? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actor Malachi Barton who is currently starring in Zombie 4: Dawn of the Vampires. The Zombies franchise is beloved for not only its infectious music and great dance numbers, but for using supernatural metaphors to tackle so many issues that resonate with viewers. Today, Malachi opens up about what its been like growing up in the public eye, why your self-worth should never be related to your work, joining the beloved Zombies franchise and working with the OGs Milo and Meg, what Milo Manheim has taught him over the years, an alternate ending he liked that got cut from the film, if he was ever supposed to play Red’s brother in the fourth Descendants movie, which Outer Banks star he’s been crushing on lately, future types of projects he would like to be a part of, how he’s worked through some difficult time, something he has never said before, and so much more. Subscribe, rate, and review this episode if you enjoyed this conversation!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this first episode of “Tommy Talk,” Tommy discusses something many of us have experienced or may be currently experiencing: when it’s time to let go of a friendship. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by David Iacono, who is currently starring in “Jurassic World Rebirth.” The film has become one of the biggest movie releases of the year. When he’s not dodging terrifying dinosaurs, you may have seen David in "Dead Boy Detectives," "Fear Street: Prom Queen" and the fan-favorite series, “The Summer I Turned Pretty.” Today, David opens up about never-before-told stories from his time filming the latest installment of the Jurassic Park franchise (like that random FaceTime from Steven Spielberg while on set in Thailand), having to drown in one of his most heart-racing scenes, and what filming with dinosaurs - what he calls “tennis balls on sticks” - is really like. We also celebrate his character Cam on “The Summer I Turned Pretty” and find out if he is Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah, what he has learned about himself through playing Cam, and that epic cast group chat. And David shares so much more that you won’t hear anywhere else, including something powerful that he has never said before.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 Candice King who is known for her starring role as Caroline Forbes in all eight seasons of the smash hit, “The Vampire Diaries", as well as the successful spinoffs, “The Originals" and “Legacies." She currently can be seen starring in the highly anticipated series, “We Were Liars" out now on Prime Video. The series is based on E. Lockhart’s #1 New York Times Bestseller of the same name. Today, Candice opens up about saving Nina Dobrev at last year’s fan convention, what the real possibility is of having the cast reunite for another "The Vampire Diaries" project, what those cast reunions at conventions are really like, if she has finally watched the entire series, if she understands the magnitude of what she created with her character Caroline, was there ever a moment or scene for her character that she didn’t agree with, why it was fun playing a character with some faults in "We Were Liars," if she was nervous stepping into her first big leading series role since The Vampire Diaries, why she hopes people can see her as Bess and not Caroline in this series, if the die-hard book lovers will enjoy this adaptation, starting in Hollywood as an up and coming pop-star, how she became a back-up singer for Miley Cyrus, what she wants her children to be proud of her for, her pop culture hot-takes, why she thinks people are so obsessed with Caroline and Klaus, how that relationship came to be, society’s built-in guilt for working mothers, 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 Paras Patel, who plays Matthew in one of the most watched shows in the world. THE CHOSEN is the first ever multi-season show about the life of Jesus, and it became the most successful crowdfunded TV series or film project in history. The series has over 770 million episode views and, with Season 5 out now, that number is sure to explode even more. THE CHOSEN is resonating with both religious and non-religious viewers because the storytelling is connecting with audiences in really deep ways. For example, the character of Matthew is historically a former tax collector who becomes one of Jesus’ disciples. But in THE CHOSEN, he is also neurodivergent, which is something that makes many viewers feel seen. Today, Paras opens up about why he feels that THE CHOSEN has resonated in such a big way with audiences, what he would ask Matthew if he had the chance to meet him, if he felt the pressure playing the role of such an important historical figure, what similarities he shares with Matthew, if he read the book of Matthew to prepare for this role, how his relationship with religion and spirituality has changed through doing this series, what he has most learned about himself through playing Matthew, why this role gave him his purpose, how the decision was made to make Matthew a neurodivergent character, what he is really scribbling down in his tablet throughout the series, if he would want to star in a Matthew spin-off, what that might look like, what it’s really like working with a dog so closely, the scene that will forever hold a special place in his heart, if anything mystical or unexplained ever happened in the middle of filming an episode, the emotional filming of Season 5, if he ever worried that being a part of a faith-based show would limit his future work as an artist, how he has worked through feeling stuck throughout different moments of his life, if he thinks Matthew had a crush on Mary Magdalene, 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 Lauren Cohan who you know and love from starring in one of the most watched drama series in the history of television, THE WALKING DEAD. Lauren now stars in the spin-off series, THE WALKING DEAD: DEAD CITY. Season 2 is out now and Lauren continues to light up the screen playing the strong, resilient, and very layered character, Maggie Greene. Today, Lauren opens up about why she has wanted to continue playing Maggie for over a decade, how the darkness of THE WALKING DEAD can sometimes affect her, what it was like losing her on-screen partner in that traumatic scene, how her own spin-off came to be, the most surprising thing about working with co-star Jeffrey Dean Morgan, what exploring that relationship has been like, making her directorial debut this season, if she ever thought about leaving the franchise, what she thinks of the future of THE WALKING DEAD franchise, if she thinks her character will ever die, how much of the season’s plot she knows before production begins, if there was ever a storyline for Maggie she did not agree with, how she navigates imposter syndrome, why she is trying to slow down when she can, the journey of learning how to be kind to herself, why sharing life with the people who matter to you is so important, 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 Tom Daley, one of the greatest divers in the world. Tom’s remarkable journey to becoming a five-time Olympic medalist is captured in the new documentary, TOM DALEY: 1.6 SECONDS. In this doc, he gives us an intimate look at the challenges of growing up in the public eye, facing physical and mental pressures of being his countries big medal hope, tragically losing his father Robert to cancer, coming out in the media, the decision to retire from the competition at the age of 30, and glimpses into his home and family life. Tom is not only a sporting legend, but he is also a champion for important social issues. Today, Tom opens up about that photo from the Olympics that went viral, the pressure that comes with nailing those 1.6 seconds of a dive, who he is without a professional diving career, one of the biggest misconceptions about him, what his relationship with grief is like today, how growing up gay caused him to put other people’s feelings before his own, how one wink face changed the course of his love life, why one misquoted headline led him to create his coming out video on YouTube, the fear his former management placed in him about being an out athlete, his advice for anyone struggling with their identity or sexuality, the struggles he faced with his body image over the course of his career, why he can’t escape the question of if he is really retired, if coaching every interests him in the future, a parenting struggle that he has never shared 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 Nick Jonas and Adrienne Warren who are currently starring in the beloved Broadway show, THE LAST FIVE YEARS. Nick’s story as one-third of the iconic Jonas Brothers has remained very well documented given the band’s massive global success. He’s also a wildly popular solo artist, has starred in blockbuster hit movies and TV shows, and is no stranger to the stage. Adrienne is a fierce singer, actress and dancer who is perhaps best known for her Tony Award-winning performance as Tina Turner in Broadway’s TINA: THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL. She is also leaving her mark in Hollywood, appearing in RUSTIN with Colman Domingo and THE WOMAN KING with Viola Davis. Together, they are making magic in THE LAST FIVE YEARS. Today, Nick and Adrienne open up about why they absolutely had to be a part of this production, the deeply personal connection Adrienne has to her character Cathy, how being a part of The Jonas Brothers influences and affects the work Nick does on a Broadway stage, if it’s hard for them to remain present given the fast-pace nature of their lives, the moments of the show they treasure, how they established trust in one another in and out of work, what Nick said early on to Adrienne that set the tone for their friendship, if they have any goofy pre-show rituals, if they felt the pressure to prove themselves with stepping into roles that fans have loved since the show’s inception, if they pull from their real lives in their performances, 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.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 Melissa O’Neil who plays Sergeant Lucy Chen in ABC’s THE ROOKIE. Melissa has been a fan-favorite character over the course of seven seasons of this smash hit series, and she will be returning for a highly anticipated eighth season. You may also know and love Melissa from playing the lead role in the Syfy Channel series, DARK MATTER. At 16, Melissa was the youngest and first female winner of Canadian Idol and went on to become a platinum selling recording artist. She also has performed on Broadway in both Les Miserables and Jesus Christ Superstar. Today, Melissa opens up about that cliffhanger in the season seven finale, what she thinks might happen for Lucy and Tim next season, what it’s been like creating a beloved on-screen relationship with co-star Eric Winter, what she has most learned about herself since starting on THE ROOKIE, if there was ever a time in her career when she was uncomfortable with a scene, how she learned to communicate her concerns, the parts of playing Lucy that are both easy and harder for her, some of her favorite moments for Lucy, her reaction to Lucy being promoted to Sergeant, if she ever tries to give the writers ideas about her character, what she would want Lucy’s endgame to be, if she has the itch to do Broadway again, some of her dream roles, what her perfect day off is, how she maintains a positive outlook, something powerful she has never 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 actress Shanola Hampton who became a household name playing Veronia Fisher, a.k.a. V, in the smash-hit series SHAMELESS. She played V for 11 seasons, often praised as one of the most beloved characters in the show. Right now, she can be seen in Season 2 of the NBC series FOUND playing Gabi, a public relations specialist who shines a light on missing persons cases. Today, Shanola opens up about what she did with her fellow cast members of SHAMELESS the first time they met, what their relationships are like today, if a reunion with the cast might be in the cards, what part of V’s personality rubbed off on her, what a potential spin-off with Steve Howey might look like, that (very) sexy scene she filmed the first time she met Steve, their conversation about manscaping, what has fulfilled her doing FOUND vs. other shows, why its been thrilling playing a flawed character, what being #1 on the call sheet has been like for the first time in her career, how rejections and sometimes painful hardships over the course of her career never stopped her, important advice for anyone who has a dream, the role she auditioned for that she really wanted, how things are put in your path (or not) for a reason, why she will never allow hate in her life, 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 Academy Award-winning actress Da’Vine Joy Randolph, who captured audiences with her breakout role opposite Eddie Murphy in DOLEMITE IS MY NAME. Randolph also starred in the acclaimed film THE HOLDOVERS earning numerous prestigious accolades including that Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and so many more. You also may know and love Da’Vine from her fan-favorite role in ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING. Now she’s kicking some butt in the action thriller SHADOW FORCE (also starring Kerry Washington and Omar Sy) in theaters May 9th. Today, Da'Vine opens up about how winning her Academy Award has become a way for her to pay it forward, the pressure that comes after winning an Oscar, how she learned to find inspiration and motivation from within, why she believes that anxiety can sometimes be a gift if you listen to it, what made her want to join her first action movie, the one thing she believes is crucial to making an action movie believable, her #1 tip to kicking some butt, why Bradley Cooper is still at the top of her list to work with, the movie she wants to remake with him, how Hollywood constantly challenges her worth, what keeps her focused and able to persevere, filming the new season of ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING, if she finally has more scenes with Meryl Streep, if her and Selena Gomez bust out a tune on set, why empathy allows us to feel more connected to one another, 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 one of the biggest romance writers in the world. Ana Huang is a #1 New York Times, Sunday Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling author who has sold well over 5 million copies of her books. She is best known for her break-out “Twisted” series that is currently being adapted into a series on Netflix. That series alone has over one billion views on TikTok and is considered one of the bestselling romance books of all time. Ana’s fifth book in the “King of Sin” series, “King of Envy,” is out now, and it is taking the book community by storm. Today, Ana opens up about whether she's finally allowed her parents to read her steamy books, how she went from working a 9-to-5 to becoming one of the biggest authors in the world, the powerful moment when she realized she could turn writing into a career, why she thinks the Twisted series resonates with so many people, if she feels pressure over the casting of the TV series, if she has some people in mind for the cast, how social media has been such an important piece of her career, why she likes her fictional men slightly unhinged, what the most challenging part of writing "King of Envy" was, one of her favorite scenes in the book, if she cries when writing emotional scenes, her process for putting out two books a year, the same things she does every time she writes, how she protects herself from criticism and negativity, if there will ever be another "Twisted” book, which of her female main characters would be her best friends, if there is a character she would use in a spinoff, advice for aspiring authors, something very personal she has never 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 Michele Morrone who is currently starring in the long awaited movie ANOTHER SIMPLE FAVOR, with Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick. Michele’s breakthrough performance in the hit 365 DAYS franchise on Netflix catapulted him into international fame. Now some of the biggest directors and actors are lining up to work with this rising star in Hollywood. Today, Michele opens up about the impact that 365 DAYS had on his life, if he would have signed on to do those very steamy movies now, how he had to get used to losing his privacy, playing a goofy mafia boss in ANOTHER SIMPLE FAVOR, becoming best friends with Blake Lively, the prank he played on her when they began working together, a piece of advice that Blake gave to him that changed his outlook, how he’s the only Italian in the world that can burn pasta when boiling water, what we can expect with his other upcoming movie THE HOUSEMAID, why he loves playing characters that are so completely different from who he is, how he gets into some pretty dark mindsets for his roles, the new music that he’s been working on, why being “drunk on life” is the only way for him to live, the importance of giving yourself the opportunity to do the things in life that truly fulfill you, something that happened on set that he wants to apologize for, 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 Madeline Brewer who is currently starring in the Netflix series YOU, opposite Penn Badgley. YOU is back for its fifth and final season and Madeline’s character finds herself as the new object of Joe’s affection. You also know and love Madeline from her Emmy-nominated portrayal of Janine in Hulu’s THE HANDMAID’S TALE, which is also out right now in its sixth and final season. It’s safe to say she is delivering some of the most powerful performances this spring in all of television. Today, Madeline opens up about the intensity of working on two hit shows that involve traumatic storylines, if she’s ever spoken to a therapist about her characters, being a super-fan of YOU before joining the final season, why she loves playing characters with some loose screws, what working on those intimate scenes with Penn was like, three ways anyone can outsmart Joe Goldberg, how she learned to feel comfortable enough to use her voice after feeling like she couldn’t earlier in her career, what it’s like being on a show that is analyzed and talked about across social media non-stop, why she wants Penn to win an Emmy for his portrayal of Joe, the actress she once fan-girled over at an audition, the truth about that fire red hairstyle in YOU, that iconic surprising moment for her character during this final season, the very real and important message behind the show, a dream project she would want to do next (hint: Christmas), that one celebrity that was on her birthday cake when she was 15, how she ended up in the Jersey Shore house at 2am, why the final episode of THE HANDMAID’S TALE is the most extraordinary episode of the entire series, and so much more.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 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 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 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 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 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.

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=BenBarnesSee 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 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 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.