Alisan Porter

Alisan Porter

Alisan Porter joins Taboo’s Comics and Kicks to revisit Curly Sue, Parenthood with Steve Martin, and her journey from child star to winning The Voice. She shares behind-the-scenes stories from classic Hollywood sets, early-2000s nightlife, motherhood, music, and finding her voice again. Alisan Porter sits down with Taboo for a wide-ranging conversation about growing up on screen, finding her identity as a singer, and looking back at the pop culture moments that shaped her life and career. Alisan reflects on Curly Sue as the role that felt like her child-star breakthrough after years of working as a young actor. She shares memories of working with Jim Belushi and John Hughes, including the emotional restaurant scene where Hughes pushed her to focus and go deeper as a performer. She also looks back on Parenthood, her first feature film, and what it was like being surrounded by a legendary cast and creative team that included Steve Martin, Mary Steenburgen, Ron Howard, Joaquin Phoenix, Keanu Reeves, Rick Moranis, Martha Plimpton, Dianne Wiest, and Tom Hulce. The conversation also dives into Pee-wee’s Playhouse, The Golden Girls, Dante Basco, child-actor life, the magic of old Hollywood backlots, and the early-2000s Joseph’s nightclub scene where stars like Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Leonardo DiCaprio, Christina Aguilera, Black Eyed Peas, Jamie Foxx, Mark Wahlberg, Carmen Electra, Marlon Wayans, and DJ AM all crossed paths. Alisan opens up about why singing was always her true calling, how theater helped bridge acting and music, and why The Voice became such an important comeback and proof-of-purpose moment for her as a young mom. She also talks about winning Season 10 with Christina Aguilera as her coach, making new music for women who grew up with her, and continuing to coach and mentor performers today. A nostalgic, funny, and heartfelt episode about Curly Sue, classic movies, 90s and 2000s Hollywood, motherhood, music, and what it means to grow up without losing your voice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Kid | Why Class Act Became Kid ‘n Play’s Hidden Classic 34 Years Later

Kid from Kid ‘n Play revisits Class Act 34 years later and explains why the movie became a hidden classic for real fans of the duo. Christopher “Kid” Reid joins Taboo for a conversation about playing Duncan Pinderhughes, the chemistry behind Kid ‘n Play’s dance scenes, the playful comedy style that made Class Act age so well, and the larger Kid ‘n Play legacy across House Party, their NBC cartoon, and their Marvel comic. Kid also shares stories about Michael Jordan, driving Jordan’s cars in Chicago, and the lessons he learned from being around one of the biggest icons in sports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Kathleen Herles | The Original Dora

Kathleen Herles, the original voice of Dora the Explorer, reflects on getting the role at seven years old, growing up on Nickelodeon, and the impact Dora had on Latino representation, bilingual storytelling, and kids around the world. In this conversation with Taboo, Kathleen opens up about her Queens upbringing, her Peruvian family, the work ethic that shaped her, and the emotional full-circle moment of returning to the Dora franchise as Dora’s mom. She also talks about identity, feeling “Latina enough,” meeting fans who grew up with Dora, and finally embracing the legacy of a character that helped a generation feel seen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Gridiron Gang 20 Years Later | Jade Yorker & Joseph Lucero

Gridiron Gang was real football, real hits, and real second chances. Jade Scott Yorker and Joseph Raymond Lucero Chavez look back on Willie Weathers, The Rock, Xzibit, and the true-life energy behind the movie. Nearly 20 years after Gridiron Gang, Jade and Joseph join Taboo to revisit the film’s legacy, from Joseph’s path from prison to Homeboy Industries to Hollywood, to filming inside Camp Kilpatrick, working around real football players, and seeing how the movie turned stories of struggle, discipline, and brotherhood into something fans still carry today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Toni Basil

Toni Basil tells the untold story of “Mickey,” working with Tina Turner on “Proud Mary,” and witnessing the birth of locking through Don Campbell and The Lockers. From vaudeville roots to street dance history, she connects the dots behind generations of movement. The legendary dancer, choreographer, performer, and historian joins Taboo for a conversation that spans her childhood backstage at the Chicago Theatre, the rise of The Lockers, the fight to make “Mickey” work, and the creative lessons she learned from icons like Tina Turner, David Bowie, Bette Midler, David Byrne, and David Lee Roth. This is a rare look at dance history from someone who didn’t just study it — she lived it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]