She Was Pregnant & Still Performed with Hugh Jackman with Salisha Thomas
33m 27s
In this podcast episode, host Tanya Montagli interviews Slicia Thomas, a performer who moved from California to New York to chase her Broadway dreams. Slicia recounts leaving her Disneyland job after a homeless man in New York encouraged her to stay, leading to a national tour and Broadway debut. The pandemic brought her first experience with anxiety, but she adapted by starting a podcast, entering voiceover work, and meeting her husband online. Now, she sings backup for Hugh Jackman, describing how the role helped her embrace her changing body and gain confidence. The conversation also covers anxiety management strategies like meditation, Pilates, and reading, alongside reflections on navigating public life in New York while valuing personal space and self-care.
(upbeat music) - Hello everyone, welcome back to the Taka Fane podcast. I'm Tanya Montagli, today I'm beyond excited to welcome Slicia Thomas. She's really one of my favorite people. She's a California girl who took a leap of faith, left her job singing Disneyland and landed in New York with nothing but a suitcase in a dream. Within a week she booked a beautiful national tour and her dream only grew from there. Sunstand, she launched multiple podcasts, signed with Atlas Tanya for commercial and voice over work. Hosu Red Carpets currently singing back up for Hugh Jacobin, which by the way is how we met actually while she was pregnant actually. We were just talking about this before and directed shows off Broadway in her whole town of Fresno. Welcome to the show, I'm so excited to have you on. Like it's been a while since I've actually talked with you. - Oh Kylie, I'm so excited to be here. Thank you so much for reaching out to me. This is awesome. You're awesome. - Oh my, cool. So as we're kind of talking before about Broadway, you grew up in California. - Yes. - And I've been going travelin' back and forth. So take us back to the moment where you kind of decided to leave New Zealand and take the lead to New York for Broadway and what you do now. - Okay, first of all, when I worked at Disneyland, I loved working at Disneyland. - Oh, I'm sure I would have loved it. - It was so much fun and it just was like such a dream, especially since I tried to get employed there for so long and I kept, I kept, I kept, I kept. Finally, I got my dream position. I was originating a show, Mickey Medical Map, as well as Tiana from Princeton, The Frog, loved it so much. And when the call in my spirit came to go to New York, it was something that I could not ignore. And I just went out to New York City to just feel it out. Like what would it be like to be there for a month 'cause I couldn't go there for a day or week, but New York is kind of a gritty, grinding type of place on like can I even buy with that? But I went out there and Kylie, while I was there, a homeless man sat down next to me at a train stop and said, "I don't know who you are, "but you need to move here and you need to do it now." - Actually? - Yes. - That's crazy, a homeless man. See, I'm like, okay, this is my son. This is my son, he's done. That's what it felt like and a lot of things happened, but at the end of that day, I called up Disney and said, "Hey, I'm in New York City." They're like, "What?" I said, "Yeah." And I'm gonna stay here. They're like, "Whoa." So I put my notice in and like you just read in my bio, like when I officially moved there two weeks later 'cause I had to go back to California, rid of all of my things, my apartment, everything, like I got rid of everything. I finished my last few days at Disney and I got back to New York City and I found out about an audition of this national tour and I was able to get in by the skin of my teeth and I got the show and I toured with that show for two years, made my Broadway debut on that show and was in that for two years and closed it right before the pandemic hit. - Oh gosh, so did it, like actually close and when the pandemic started? - No, it closed right before. So October, I think 2019. And I was like, "Oh, man, I gotta get the next job. "I gotta get the next job." And I was so stressed about getting the next job, which I did, which was the Britney Spears musical and we started rehearsals for that March. - Oh, so the months are right when the money's like, - Money? - Yeah, yeah. And so I think it was like March 12th, one of our leads, she called him sick and the producer was like, "Hey guys, "yeah, go home." We're like, "End what? "Go home and what?" - Go home and what do you want us to do this? Do not this? - Yeah, just go home and enjoy. Like I remember Googling Kylie, like, "What does it mean to go home and?" - Like, "What do I do?" - "What do I do?" Yes. - No, I don't mean Googling, like, think boys or things to do as bodily atchists when I'm home. Like, what are these I can do? - Well, we just didn't know, like, how long would we be home for a week? I think we thought like, wow, two weeks is a long time to go home. - I know, like, when I was like, when a pandemic hit, I remember I was like, "Oh yeah, two weeks off of school." Then as, you know, we started months, I was like, "Okay, I'm going nuts." - It's a month. - And this already, like, I don't know if you're gonna have, or maybe even two years before we came back into the show, and the craziest, craziest time, everything worked out the way it was supposed to be. In that pandemic, even though, that was the first time I'd ever felt anxiety and have a lot of friends with anxiety and hit, like, depression that I didn't even know. Like, I didn't even, and I, and when I finally out about certain of my, I'm like, "Wow, I don't even know what that feels like to have anxiety." In 2020, I felt it for my first time. I'm like, "Oh, this is terrible." - It's awful, trust me. I have anxiety since I was basically born. So it's like, "Do you like what they have for 19 years?" You're just like, "Okay, I'm used to it by now." Like, by getting older, you just, like, you never had in your life, you're just like, "It's weird." You're like, "What is this?" - I'm like, "What is this?" - "Shot." - "Is this something?" - Yeah, I'm like, every breath I took, I'm like, "Can I breathe?" And I'm like, every single breath, like I think my screen time went from two hours a day to 10 hours a day, like very quickly. I always had to have noise. It was wild, but even in the midst of that, I was able to find my love of podcasting like you. I was able to start a voiceover career and I met my husband. Andrew, that we met on Zoom. Oh, really, I'm Zoom? - Yeah, well, we couldn't meet in person. Like, he was producing a podcasting conference, which I wouldn't have been to had I not started a podcast and I wouldn't have started a podcast if I was busy on Broadway. Boom, boom, boom, boom, like all the things one thing leads to the other. I met this podcasting conference on Zoom and he helped moderate that session. He was like, "Great job, all right, next up." And he followed me on Instagram and slipped into those DMs and I followed him back. And I think he asked me, like, "What are you reading right now?" - Oh, what? - I know. - That's crazy that you made the first move. Like that's a immediately green flag for you. Like that's immediate. - Yeah. And like also I loved reading. I was in like two book clubs, maybe even three book clubs in the pandemic. I'm like, "Here's what I'm reading." That's another "No, we just never stop talking." - That's how I was. Because that is so our game to reading till maybe like two or three years ago. - And I loved reading to the point where like I would take a book like everywhere I go. Like it's so bad. If it was some sort of pandemic, I'd probably slow hate reading for a crying out loud. - I'd be taking a book everywhere you go. It's such a flex and it's such a great power move. If I'm out and about by myself in New York City, it's easy for me to strike up conversations with others, but sometimes I don't want that. And so I just open my book, put my earplugs in. I'm like, "All right, this book is too good. Go away." - No, go away from me. This is my side to whoever's on the strings. - Not the other me. - Don't bother me. - And if I like you and you're like, "Oh, I've read that book all of a sudden." It's like a conversation. - No, yeah. I love those type of conversations, but if you're having a bad day or something, you're just like, no, just don't even bother. Just go away. I don't care if you know me. I just want my own keys, actually. - How many times have we seen people on the train in New York city having a bad day? There's nowhere else to have it except in public. - No, seriously, because you have to walk or take a taxi or a subway everywhere you go. So you're just like, "Well, I kind of have to be in a bad mood in public until I get back to my park and then or something." - Yeah, a amount of times I've seen my own friends on the other side of a train having a really bad day. And sometimes it's like, "Whoo." She needs her space. And sometimes it's like, "I'm right here." - Yeah, you can just easily tell like when people are in a bad mood, like whenever I'm in a bad mood, my family friends can easily tell me about mood just from my face. Like who can you be like, "How do you kindly give them a look?" - Yeah. - Whole bother with me anyway. - Yeah, and you mentioned that you're a twin. I can only imagine like how much you and your twin can feel each other. - No, yeah, because he's actually a minute older than me. So, him, yeah, he's a minute older. So like with twins, he runs on my dad's side of family. So runs like every, like it's good to generation and comms goes and comms. - It's a glad to hear that. - And for my brother, like me and him are opposites. Like he's a baseball sports guy. Like I love sports, don't get me wrong. You know, I grew up in a sports family. But for me, I love like entertainment, theater. Like we all, we both talking about this before we start recording. And like we're just different people. I mean, yes, we're twins. And like people don't think we're twins whatsoever. Like, you think like you're just like rug or siblings, no twins, nothing. - Do you do any performing at all Kylie? - I don't. Like when I was very young, like I used to do violin, well I was very young. - Oh, like for like weeks and I hated it and I stopped. - Really? - Yes, I literally stopped. Because I was like, that was maybe like seven years old. Just because I got a bad anxiety as a kid. So it was kind of hard. But if I could go back and my anxiety wasn't a thing then with how bad it was, I would probably still will be doing it. But like I said, - Well, I did do jazz. - Then because we talked about anxiety a couple of times already and don't let me trick you into making me interview you on this podcast. But what are your top tips for managing anxiety and stress? - I mean, that's a good question. It's because I'm still dealing with it now. Like which is weird. Like with me, I feel like, you know, a big thing for me that I love to do is reading. Like we talked about. I love reading all the time. - All right. With this conversation I already finished four books within a month. So. - What? - Many books says many people read with them maybe a month. I know people that I read 20 books in a month. I'm like, how? - I'm not there. - I'm not there. - I'm like, I can read one. - One or two. - Then, which one am I? Okay, how? And then for me, I know like reading is one. And then, now the one is like working out. I love plies. Like that's become my new favorite thing is plies. - Oh, right. - It's like, on a wide, I always love working out. But within the last like new year, I just became very obsessed. With it for some reason, like I don't know why. - Hit free. - I've been dying to try New York City for some reason. And it's because it's like, I barely go up there unless it's like, you show or something like that. But I've been dying to try New York City though. Like, I'm sure there's like a lot of them in the city. - Oh, there are. And they're a little sometimes I mean, I've found some good bloody studios that I'm like, this is really expensive. But it's like, the plies in general is really expensive. Like, it's really dry. - It's dry. - I'm like, there's a plodgy city of like 10 minutes away from my house. It's so expensive. I'm like, I don't have the money for this. - I know, but it also would feel so good when I leave. And I'm a Barry's bootcamp kind of girl. I had to take a break while I was like super, super pregnant. But I'm like, oh my gosh, a plod, Barry's bootcamp, it cost like $40 freaking dollars of class. And then I got to get the smoothie. That's another 10 dollars. - Seriously, with New York detoxes and everything are kind of higher than like where I am. So I kind of like, okay, I have to go to quality. I have to get coffee. Then little, let's go on. It's like, I don't have to budget for this. - New York doesn't have the budget for that. - No, like you don't have a budget in New York. - New York is crazy. - New York, you're like, there's no budget. You spend whatever you want. - It just doesn't exist. - The limit doesn't exist. I'm like, dad, if you're $0 and my thing, you can't, you know why. (laughing) - You know why. - Well, like, we're two, let's have a verse of questions. Why helps you? - Ooh, that's a great question. So sometimes I still get, I was gonna say flight anxiety, which I do, I'm not a great flyer, but sometimes I still get stage fright. And what I love about Hugh Jackman's show is that I don't have stage fright. It feels so good sharing this stage with him and just supporting him. Like, I'm just chilling in the back seeing some oozing odds. But a lot of times like in a Broadway show, I get a lot of anxiety or when I'm in a flight, like in an airplane. And so I started meditating and it helps a lot. - That's why I used to use meditation. I always hated it, but recently, I started getting back into it more. Like, not as many much as most people, but sometimes I would do that, like, meditation. It does, sometimes it feels like a luxury to find, especially since being a new mom. Like, finding time alone with the door shut and knowing that other people, like people on the other side of the door know that I'm not doing anything. Like, it feels like a luxury to be able to sit and breathe for 10 minutes. - I know, it feels so good, right? - It does, but I'm like, if I hear AJAX crying, suddenly I'm like, I need to go, I need to help, I need to do something, I can't just sit here. Like, you'll listen to my baby cry. Like, what's up on the air? - I'm like, I know, I know. So I'm trying to find the balance, but meditating is really big. And then also, like, to self-care, we're talking about Pilates, a workout, getting a good sweaty workout in, or even just a walk, a walk, and just being alone with my thoughts helps me. I like that. And that's where I get downloads for my best ideas is when I'm by myself. - The tricky part is, I'm rarely by myself. - Yeah, I'm kind of like that too. I love walks here. Like, I'm in a small town in the Scribble Sparer area. So it's kind of like, I live in the story of development where it's like, I can commute it, you know, like, community houses and all that. So it's very safe to walk. But whenever I go to the city, like, it walk around myself, if I have air pods and gabbing coffee or something, I'm like, good to have my ideas and stuff. I mean, I love my talent, don't get me wrong. But it's just like, I feel like when you're in a city, you're seeing all these taxis, you're just getting more inspiration. - Absolutely. Yeah, it's great. Even when I'm surrounded by a lot of people in New York City, I feel like I can be in my own zone. But unless I start running into people, which I'm in my neighborhood, I do. - Yeah, really, that's the part is, when you're living a community, you run into people that, you know, like your neighbors and stuff, I'm just like, I just wanna be alone and no disturb, like, how do I feel the wrong? I love people. - Right. - But my community. But sometimes I'm like, I just wanna be by myself. I would New York, you're just like, yeah, just too many people. I probably won't see anybody. - Have you been to New York enough to where, like, you see like famous people like walking their dog early in the morning? - I never, I never did that actually. Like, I know a lot of people have, but I never actually saw somebody walking their dog. - I always feel like, oh, what an interesting thing to just like this walk, I don't have a dog, but like walking your dog at six in the morning, in my mind should be a private, like, moment, like no one, it doesn't count. If people see you, it doesn't count 'cause you haven't had to cough the yet kind of thing. - Yeah, like, if I went up to the room, I would feel so bad. Just because I'm like, I'm not a person that loves like to respect people's privacy. So if I see someone out on the ballot, like a celebrity or something, rocking their dog, guys, I got part of me who wants to go out and talk to them and say hi, whatever, but part of me is like, I want you to have coffee. - Yeah, exactly. So like, you don't wanna talk to me if I didn't have coffee yet. That's the first hand thing. If I didn't have coffee, you don't want to talk to me for a few hours. - Yeah, that's funny. - So it's go back to you, actually. So you've been singing back up for you for the last year. It's ever since his residency at Radio City. That's kind of how we kind of met. Like, how did the residency kind of change your relationship with your body in your voice compared to maybe like Broadway shows and all that? - Oh my gosh, Kylie, what a question. I have never felt the way I did in my body as I did this last year during the residency and Radio Music. Radio was called Radio City. (laughing) - Was it like, "Oh, okay, I'm like, I just know it's all like a hall or something." - Right. - No, like, it was one of the first times in my life where I felt, let me just be real with you for a second. Like, I felt like, okay, my body is changing so much, so quickly, I don't want anybody to see me. I would like to go in a corner and hide. I wanna go and eat the whole world and put my sweats on. I don't wanna put makeup on. I just wanna go and hide in the corner and mine my business and get fat in California. Like, something, you know, with something I'm like, "Oh, I gotta be on stage in two and a half weeks." - Okay, I kind of was like that too, little babies. I'm like, I'm a junk food eater. So I'm kind of like, "Yeah, I wanna be skinny, like gym workout, but me on this." - Okay, I'm in, move for chocolate cupcake show something. - Yeah, so it was like a challenge, like mentally to prepare to go on stage. And then as I got closer, I would get more and more ready. And then once the time came, it was a dream come true and wild that it was like, okay, just not long ago, I felt like hiding. And now I'm on stage in front of 6,000 people. - Mm-hmm, and radio city musical. Radio city musical next to a very sparkly, loving movie star. Like, is the opposite of being invisible? - No, exactly. Like, he, like with you, like with knowing him for so long, you're just kind of, he's like the top person that's like, "Oh, I don't care where I am. If people wanna say hi, they can say hi. I really don't care." - And what you see is what you get. He is so kind and loving and genuine. And he makes everybody feel seen. - No, he does. - He's like, calling out the lighting guy, people retiring, the, you know, the people playing the, the organ, the backstage on stage. He's, he knows people by name, he makes everybody feel seen. So you can be invisible if you tried near him. - No, you can, you can. - He's so good. - My number one day, like during the, like, like last shows. Like it was like that Saturday morning when he came in. I was standing there whatever, hate mind my own business. He came over to me and he looked at me and goes, "Grab my shoulders." And was like, "Cush, shook me." - No. - And was like, "Are you okay?" I'm like, I mean, I thought, like shows, I was like, I'm very emotional. This is because I, he knew that. This is because I was so emotional with everything ending. And I was so used to like, think shows every month and all of that, like something to look forward to. And it was, you know, the last free show. So I was like, very emotional in that Saturday. It hit me like a nut. So I was like, I wasn't crying or anything, but I was standing there and this. And he knew I was kind of like, you know, emotional. And he grabbed me. He's like, "Are you okay?" I'm like, "Hew, I love you to death." But I'm okay. And then after he went in, soft. - Wow. - Yeah. - I'm like that type of person that like, he's right for you. It was hit me knowing him for like, I'm kind of from shows. He kind of like, reads me like a psychic. Like, if something's wrong, he'll see it, but it's like, he makes everyone feel so seen. Like if somebody, if there's a lot of people around him or around like, what are we talking to? He'll focus on you no matter what's going on. - He really does that. He does a great job of that. And even just listening to your story just makes me emotional because he really does make people feel seen. And when I was like about to give birth basically on stage, I felt like, should I be here? I don't want to have to sit down on stage and mess up the stage picture. And he said, "Sleash up, you need to sit down, sit down." And I said, I don't want to compromise the integrity of your show. And he said, that is the integrity of my show. - That's so sweet. - People first, take care of yourself. And so because of that, that thought and that, gosh, I don't know what is the word, that approach to the shows last year, even though it was a very vulnerable thing to grow in front of a lot of people on stage and also backstage because other people could see me dressing, like the ensemble and things. It felt like maybe it is okay to go through so much change with a community around him. - I know, and that's supposed to be the part of things. Because a lot of people who oftentimes in this industry don't feel as septived, they're maybe eight or nine months pregnant. Some people probably knock them out of the show being like, you're an immanent to prank not care, or is this, you know what I mean? - But with you, it's kind of like he doesn't care about that. Like he does not care. He's like as long as you're putting it on your soul. - That was cool. - He thought it was cool. - No, he is like so acceptable. And I remember during the last shows, like that Friday before he came in, but before rehearsals. He, I remember asking him, I'm like, I didn't see you like, yeah, when you came in or anything like that. I mean, I think you came in like right after. So when he came over, I remember asking him, like, how's Selecia? We kind of talked about this a little bit earlier before we recorded him. I was like, how's Selecia? Like, is she okay? But you were right about to get burned. You gave it, burned like a few weeks later. Out did it shows. And I was so worried because I was like, is she okay? Like I was so scared for you. Just because I was like, you're like nine months pregnant. Like, I was like, imagine if her water breaks, I was thinking of worst case scenario. I was like, you, if you need me to go backstage and perform, like, I'm ready. - I'm ready. - You got your girl on it. - Oh my gosh, you're so funny. Yeah, that was a crazy time. I cannot believe any of that happened. And while it was happening, I'm like, well, duh. I'm not missing these shows. This is, I love going to work. I'm doing this and now looking back, I'm like, how did we do that? - No, seriously, I'm like, like, ask someone who watches it. I'm like, I cannot do that. I don't know how she's doing it, but if I was not meant to perform right now, I would not. Like, I cannot do that. - Jack was planning you guys posted that real. I think Laura edited it. - Yeah. - But at each month, me growing. And I watched that the other day, 'cause my family member was asking about it. And I was like, my gosh. It's so sweet. You're not gonna lie. Like, this is the first time I ever saying this, but I was really crying to that real. - I was like, this is the first time. - I was, I was like, I can't imagine how she's feeling. Because I'm already crying. I'm not like the person. - I was showing my newborn, not that he could see it, but I was like, that's you're in there. - You're in there. - I'm saying, here you go. Like, look, but that's really how it was. This coke is so crying. He's like, I don't know if he met Laura in person or anything. Like what she was. But she literally is just an amazing owner. Like, she's so amazing. - Andastic. I'm like, should I hire her for other things? - No, seriously. She's really good. Like, she's been editing and all that for years. Like, it's amazing. - Yeah, she's amazing. What's her handle? Laura? - Um. - Laura loves humor. So I think you fall her. - Yeah, oh, I know I fall her. I just wanted to give her a shout out on here. - Yeah, I think you do. - Now, Laura loves you out. To go back, you, every month, you guys performed three shows. - Yeah. - Well, I'm probably not ready of city. Like, how did you handle it? Does I know you kind of mentioned all of that little to perform about being prox and all that, but how did you kind of handle it physically and mentally? - Well, okay. Back up a little bit. So at Disney, we did five shows a day. So, we're going from, actually, I did five shows a day at Disneyland and then when I was performing at California Adventure, I would do eight shows a day. And those shows were even harder than the five shows a day. So when I got to Broadway and I was doing one show or eight shows a week, that felt like easy compared to eight shows a day. So going from eight shows a day to eight shows a week to three shows a month, it sounds like this is nothing. - Wait a minute. - Oh my, this is great. - Right. So I mean, it's like the first show is like, we have so much adrenaline and then we had the Saturday, Matt and Nane and it's like, okay, I'm kind of tired, but there's no time to get tired because we only get one show left. - I don't know. - I know. - It's so easy. - It goes by so quick. There was no time to complain. There was no time to get tired. It was like, we're gonna blink and it's gonna be over. So it was something that not just me, we all looked forward to it. And kind of sad every time it ended. - No, that's how I was too. Every time it ended, I'm like, it wasn't just yesterday I was coming to the city like how, like how's this possible. - Yeah. - Yeah. And like having to move in and move out of Radio City so quickly, it's like, I wanna like put photos up. But we're only here for three days, two days. - I know, seriously. And like there's always like five moving trucks in the back by stage door. - Oh, like they're ready to move. Like they're like, I don't care. - I don't know what I'm doing. - The curtain? - The second the curtain touches the stage to go down at the last show, the moving guys are ripping the stage up. - We are really-- - The second. - The second. I can't even get to the sound booth before they started ripping up the stage. - That's crazy. - Yeah, it's crazy. - Curtains down, they are the stage being ripped up quickly. It is so fast, they're fast. - They're crazy. Because I'm like, how would you do that? The second they're off stage. But it's like literally, it goes by quick. The ending of the show is so quick. - Yeah, it goes by so quick. And oh, his last couple of members, I don't know what is wrong with me. And I'm always in the wings sobbing. I don't know why. He's like, it's so hard to say goodbye. No, no, no, no. I'm like, that song, and I look out into the audience and I see the cell phones. - Oh, the shining lights and all that. Yeah, that's like why my favorite moments and also real. And that is like why my-- - Real? - Yeah, we do. Like that kind of became my obsession is a real song and then dancing all that. Now I'm just like, real. - Oh, this replay and make it out more dancing musical or YouTube. - Really? - Really all naplies. So we can all replay it. Speaking from, I know for a lot of you, Jocelyn fans is kind of like, okay. - Let's make it. - Yeah, we'll be-- - I found a video of him doing Rio when he was like 20. - Yeah, there is a video. I forget who posted it. Like, a Broadway Bestie's podcast. - Oh yeah, yeah. So I was like, I saw it. And I was like, - Oh, I was thinking I really like one, him doing it. Like when he was like 20 and then now at 57, and the Welfare 58 now or whatever. Like, you'd be like, you'd be like, you'd be like, we'll come here in videos. - Yeah. Last thing I'd ask for you is, what does becoming mean to you in this chapter of life? - Oh. Wow. So I like to call my year 33, 'cause I'm 33 right now, my Jesus year. And a lot has happened in this year. And now I'm about to have a birthday in a week or so, a couple weeks. And I feel like becoming a mom, getting through last year, and still currently performing and doing a lot of different things. I feel like I've stepped through this portal. And realizing that one of the secrets to life is really choosing our perspective. Then everything is neutral until you give it meaning or compare it to something, which I don't recommend comparing anything, but that everything is about our perspective. And something can be not good or bad, but you're the way you look at it, can make it heaven or hell. - Yeah, yeah. - Yeah, and so there are things that I'm like, it's on the tip of my tongue to say the negative, like I'm so tired of this or that and realizing what a gift is. - It really is, because as you're getting older, you kind of realize what the meaning of life is and living life. As for me, I don't know how it was for you, but when I was younger, I really didn't think how poor and things were in our lives. It turns out confidence. And all of that was like, young, it's hard for realize, a best when you're very young. - Yeah, absolutely. Like having a baby crying all the time, well, AJAX doesn't cry all the time. He cries when he's hungry, when he needs comfort, but when he's crying, sometimes it can be overwhelming for me. - Yeah. - Like, see the guys and mother, it's kind of overwhelming. - Obviously you don't know what they're feeling exactly. I love my silence, I love my alone time, but there was a time when I had a miscarriage. And I wanted to hear that crying. And so when I remember that they're answered prayers, it goes from, oh my goodness, make it stop to, let me go comfort this way. - I know, it's like a different perspective. - Yeah. And so the power of a positive mindset and gratitude, it really does help shape the life that I want to lead and continue to lead and to remind myself to always focus on the gratitude of it all. - That's true. - I hope that answered your question. - I hope that that's hard to realize. That's on points in life, but like, it does get easier. - Yeah. - It really does get easier. But this is I think the perfect way to wrap this I was set off. Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with us. I know with having a newborn and all that, I know great busy schedules can happen all the time. I really appreciate you coming on and taking the time to chat with us. It means so much. - Thanks, Kylie. The thanks for reaching out. This has been awesome. You're so great. I mean, you've been doing this since your 13. Let's go. - I know. (laughing) So thank you everyone for listening. Make sure to like, subscribe, or review. And I'll talk to you guys very soon. (upbeat music) (upbeat music)
Podcast Summary
Key Points:
Slicia Thomas left her job at Disneyland in California to pursue Broadway in New York, inspired by a homeless man's encouragement, and quickly landed a national tour leading to her Broadway debut.
During the pandemic, she experienced anxiety for the first time but used the time to start podcasting, launch a voiceover career, and meet her husband online.
She now performs as a backup singer for Hugh Jackman, emphasizing how the role boosted her confidence and body image during a challenging personal transition.
Both Slicia and the host discuss managing anxiety through meditation, exercise like Pilates, reading, and self-care, while balancing public life in New York with personal privacy.
Summary:
In this podcast episode, host Tanya Montagli interviews Slicia Thomas, a performer who moved from California to New York to chase her Broadway dreams. Slicia recounts leaving her Disneyland job after a homeless man in New York encouraged her to stay, leading to a national tour and Broadway debut. The pandemic brought her first experience with anxiety, but she adapted by starting a podcast, entering voiceover work, and meeting her husband online.
Now, she sings backup for Hugh Jackman, describing how the role helped her embrace her changing body and gain confidence. The conversation also covers anxiety management strategies like meditation, Pilates, and reading, alongside reflections on navigating public life in New York while valuing personal space and self-care.
FAQs
She felt a strong calling to move to New York, took a leap of faith by quitting her Disneyland job, and within weeks booked a national tour that led to her Broadway debut.
During the pandemic, she explored new opportunities like podcasting and voiceover work, and even met her husband through a virtual podcasting conference.
She recommends activities like reading, meditating, and exercising (such as Pilates or walking) to help manage anxiety and find mental clarity.
They met virtually at a podcasting conference on Zoom, where he followed her on Instagram and initiated a conversation by asking about books she was reading.
She found it fulfilling and less anxiety-inducing than Broadway, appreciating Hugh Jackman's supportive and inclusive nature on stage.
She acknowledges the challenge of finding time for herself, but prioritizes short meditations or walks when possible to recharge and gather ideas.
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