Allison Interviews

Allison Kugel
Allison Interviews

My name is Allison Kugel, and over the past decade, I’ve interviewed hundreds of celebrities and public figures. My interviews are revealing, fun, and above all else, human. I’ve had a front row seat with some of the most accomplished people on this planet, and it’s truly been a gift; a gift I now want to share with you through this podcast. I’ll be interviewing some amazing artists and pop culture figures, and including some of my signature questions, like, “What did you come into this life to learn, and what did you come here to teach?” I hope you’ll take this ride with me and enjoy! Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/allison-interviews/support

  1. AUG 20

    #64 Baywatch Star Alexandra Paul Talks Playing Lieutenant Stephanie Holden for Seven Seasons

    Catch up with ALLISON INTERVIEWS Host, Allison Kugel: Follow Allison on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theallisonkugel/ Allison Interviews Blog - allisoninterviews.com Allison’s Memoir on entertainment journalism and mental health: https://shorturl.at/rIUW2 _________________________________________________________________________ Alexandra Paul has appeared in over 100 feature films and television programs, usually as the first or second female lead. She is internationally recognized for her 5-year starring role as Lt. Stephanie Holden in the iconic television series Baywatch.  Alexandra co-hosts a weekly podcast, Switch4Good which has 5 million downloads and YouTube views. It was awarded Mercy for Animals’ Best Vegan Podcast in 2024.  Alexandra was honored by the ACLU of Southern California as their 2005 Activist of the Year for her long history of fighting for the environment, voting rights and peace issues. In 2014, Last Chance for Animals named her and her brother Jonathan “Vegans of the Year.” In 1997, the United Nations commended Alexandra for her work on human overpopulation. A dedicated and accomplished athlete, in 1997, Alexandra trained for the World Ironman Championship in Hawaii (a grueling 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and 26.2 mile marathon), which she completed in 13:18:52. In 2012, Alexandra swam around Key West, a 12.5 mile race. In 2014, she swam the 22 km Reto Acapulco off the coast of Mexico.  Alexandra has a TEDx talk on the benefits of a one child family which currently has 678,000 views.  In 2000, Alexandra and her identical twin sister Caroline were the recipients of the Christopher Street West Rainbow Award for their ongoing support of gay and lesbian rights.  Alexandra Paul’s Links Switch4Good Podcast: https://alexandrapaul.com/podcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexandra_actress URL: https://alexandrapaul.com/ ________________________________________________________________________ Subscribe to the audio podcast of Allison Interviews on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and subscribe to the video podcast on YouTube. :-) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 3m
  2. MAR 5

    #62 Andrea Giovino Talks Get Gotti, John Gotti Friendship, Michael Franzese, Mob Wives

    Catch up with ALLISON INTERVIEWS Host, Allison Kugel: Follow Allison on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theallisonkugel/ Allison Interviews Blog - allisoninterviews.com Allison’s Memoir on entertainment journalism and mental health: https://shorturl.at/rIUW2 _________________________________________________________________________ Andrea Giovino Show Notes: Andrea Giovino is the author of “Divorced From The Mob,” a television personality, crime commentator, motivational speaker, mom and grandmother. She has most recently appeared in the top rated Netflix docu-series, Get Gotti.  Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY in a family of 10 children, Andrea was exposed to a life of crime at a young age as her mother ran illegal card gambling games for the neighborhood wise guys like Crazy Joe Gallo. She spent most of her youth and early adulthood around some of the most infamous mafia men and their associates. After being arrested on RICO charges for organized crime & having a contract out on her life, Andrea turned her life around, moved to the suburbs and has spent the last 30+ years sharing her life experiences in hopes of motivating other women and men to live a healthier and more normal lifestyle. Her podcast, The Andrea Giovino Show, is available on YouTube. Andrea’s Links The Andrea Giovino Show: https://www.youtube.com/@AndreaGiovino1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreagiovino Subscribe to the audio podcast of Allison Interviews on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and subscribe to the video podcast on YouTube. :-) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 1m
  3. JAN 30

    #60 Mayte Garcia Talks Prince Biopic, Selena Gomez, Priscilla, Biggest Regret with Prince

    Catch up with ALLISON INTERVIEWS Host, Allison Kugel: Follow Allison on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theallisonkugel/ Allison Interviews Blog - allisoninterviews.com Allison’s Memoir on entertainment journalism and mental health: https://shorturl.at/rIUW2 Mayte is a renowned triple threat performer-an accomplished dancer, actor and singer/ songwriter, as well as the best-selling author of a memoir, "The Most Beautiful: My Life with Prince." Mayte's professional dance career began early in her life when Prince observed a video of her dancing and immediately took an interest in her talent, eventually leading to an offer to join Prince's New Power Generation (NPG) performance group. She danced with the NPG from 1992 to 1996. Mayte has appeared in numerous music videos, tours, award shows, and international television shows. She has gone on to provide dance instruction to artists such as Britney Spears, and continues to teach dance with limitless enthusiasm.  While working with Prince, Mayte recorded and released her debut album Child of the Sun, which charted in Europe; the video of which was in rotation on MTV Europe and on VH1 in the US. She was a songwriter and singer on various Prince and NPG albums and directed many of Prince's tours and music videos. Mayte's acting film credits include roles in New Regency’s Firehouse Dog; Life Is Hot in Cracktown; Ego; and Psych. She has appeared in Lifetime's Army Wives, NBC's Las Vegas, TNT's The Closer, FX's hit show Nip/Tuck and VHT's Hollywood Exes.  Mayte is actively involved with animal rescue efforts. In 2013, she founded Mayte's Rescue, a 501c3 non-profit. The organization has rescued and placed hundreds of dogs with caring and responsible dog lovers. In 2019, Mayte and her business partner, Veronica Vega-Stiles, opened up Boogie Time, an all-things-puppy-related boutique in Las Vegas. With new projects always in the works, Mayte looks forward to serving Live 4 Love Charities' philanthropic mission, fully engaged in her motto —Keep Moving, Keep Learning, and Keep Loving! Mayte’s Links Live 4 Love: https://live4lovecharities.org/ Website: https://mayte.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maytejannell/?hl=en Mayte’s Rescue IG: https://www.instagram.com/maytesrescue/?hl=en Subscribe to the audio podcast of Allison Interviews on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and subscribe to the video podcast on YouTube. :-) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    50 min
  4. JAN 4

    #59 Dita Von Teese Talks Burlesque History, Vegas Residency, Her Celebrity Fans

    Catch up with ALLISON INTERVIEWS Host, Allison Kugel: Follow Allison on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theallisonkugel/ Allison Interviews Blog - allisoninterviews.com Allison’s Memoir on entertainment journalism and mental health: https://shorturl.at/rIUW2 Dita Von Teese is internationally recognized as the Queen of Burlesque, having set a history-making benchmark for this great American art form with unrivaled artistry, flair and sophistication as performer, creative director, choreographer and producer. Dita’s signature style has made her muse to some of the greatest couturiers and designers—influencing their collections, appearing on their runways, in their campaigns and on red carpets. She has also led the way as designer, collaborator and entrepreneur, with eponymous forays in fashion, beauty, music, publishing, spirits and entertainment production.  On stage, Dita is renowned for delighting audiences with a nonpareil romp into fantasy and spectacle, her original and ornate sets and haute couture costumes swathed in Swarovski crystals dazzling transcontinental audiences. Jean-Paul Gaultier, Elie Saab, Alexis Mabille, Jenny Packham and Zuhair Murad are among the fashion designers who create looks for her performances, and her custom footwear is always by Christian Louboutin. Many of her most awe-inspiring costumes are realized in collaboration with legendary corsetier Mr. Pearl and burlesque star-turned-designer Catherine D’Lish. So extraordinary are her performances and productions that Dita is a marquee ambassador worldwide for the artform.  Taylor Swift tapped Dita to play a burlesque-styled fairy godmother to the pop icon’s Cinderella in the star-studded video “Bejeweled,” the chart-topping track off Swift’s 2022 bestselling album, Midnights. Dita even shares two of her trademark martini glasses in the video, the two icons taking a sparkling spin within them. Weeks before, Dita teased cinema goers across the globe in the 2022 critically acclaimed film “Don’t Worry Darling,” with Harry Styles, Florence Pugh and Olivia Wilde.  It is a style that Dita has also taken to market with namesake collections in lingerie, gloves and jewelry; hats with Hood London; and a signature clothing collection in collaboration with Austrian-based designer Lena Hoschek that is in the works. It always comes back to the curtain call, of course, and Dita’s four full-length revues are the grandest tours in burlesque history: “Strip, Strip, Hooray!” (2013-2016), “The Art of the Teese” (2017), “Dita Von Teese and the Copper Coupe” (2018), and “Glamonatrix” (2019 and 2022-2023). These sensational spectaculars showcase a gender- and body-diverse cast of the crème de la crème of neo-burlesque performers, hailing from all over the world. In 2022, as in 2019 (a tour interrupted due to the pandemic), Dita and her star troupe staged “Glamonatrix” in historic theatres across Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the US—including five sold-out nights at the London Palladium, and packed houses at the prestigious Folies Bergère in Paris and Burgtheatre in Vienna. Dita made theatrical history bringing burlesque to the Opera Garnier Monte Carlo, with Prince Albert II of Monaco in attendance.  Dita Von Teese Links Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.com/ditavegas Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ditavonteese Website: https://dita.net/ Subscribe to the audio podcast of Allison Interviews on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and subscribe to the video podcast on YouTube. :-) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 1m
  5. 10/25/2023

    #58 Leila Steinberg Talks Tupac, Omari Hardwick, Mic Sessions Workshop, Music Business

    Catch up with ALLISON INTERVIEWS Host, Allison Kugel: Follow Allison on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theallisonkugel/ Allison Interviews Blog - allisoninterviews.com Allison’s Memoir on entertainment journalism and mental health: https://shorturl.at/rIUW2 Leila Steinberg is a talent manager, educator, writer, poet, and founder of AIM4TheHeART, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to helping at-risk youth find their voice using an emotional literacy curriculum and writing workshops. She is the artist mentor and first manager of the late legendary rapper Tupac Shakur. They met when he was a student in her writing workshop, The Microphone Sessions, in the Oakland Bay area in the late 1980s.  Leila’s friendship with and mentorship of Tupac Shakur extended from his teenage years until his death at age 25. In the 2017 Tupac biopic All Eyez On Me, Leila was played by actress Lauren Cohan. In 2023, Leila was interviewed and took part in the critically acclaimed FX and Hulu streamed television docu-series Dear Mama. Today Leila Steinberg manages the rapper Earl Sweatshirt, formerly of Odd Future.  .  Leila Steinberg’s Links Website: https://www.aim4theheart.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leila_steinberg Subscribe to the audio podcast of Allison Interviews on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and subscribe to the video podcast on YouTube. :-) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    60 min
  6. 10/16/2023

    #57 Tommy Davidson Talks Jada Pinkett Smith, Tupac, In Living Color, Race Identity

    Catch up with ALLISON INTERVIEWS Host, Allison Kugel: Follow on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theallisonkugel/ Allison Interviews Blog - allisoninterviews.com Allison’s Memoir on entertainment journalism and mental health: https://shorturl.at/rIUW2 Tommy Davidson’s exceptional range – from stand-up comedy and acting to versatile music accomplishments – have earned him a reputation as an extraordinary performer who delivers no matter the arena. Best known as one of the stars of the hit television show In Living Color, Davidson’s visibility has allowed him to become a household name known for his innovative talent across all platforms.  Davidson starred in Disney Channel’s beloved animated series The Proud Family (2001-05) and recently returned to topline their new hit, “The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder” (Disney +) wit season 2 premiering February 1, 2023. Other recent guest starring credits include CBS comedy series The Neighborhood, VH1’s hit A Black Lady Sketch Show; the Nick Cannon-directed Miracles Across 125th Street, BET+’s The Ms. Pat Show and the Netflix special Sarah Cooper: Everything’s Fine.  The multihyphenate is perhaps best known for starring in the groundbreaking sketch comedy series In Living Color and becoming a standout with his impressions of Sammy Davis Jr., Michael Jackson and other entertainment icons. His performance on the series resulted in three Showtime specials: On Strength of New York, Illin’ in Philly, and Takin’ it to DC. Davidson also hosted and starred in the network’s Chocolate Sundaes Comedy Show, as well as three seasons of ABC’s Vacation Creation.  Davidson voiced the series regular role of Cream Corn in the Adult Swim action-comedy spoof Black Dynamite, and has also made multiple guest appearances on shows like MTV’s Wild ‘N Out, BET’s Real Husbands of Hollywood and ABC’s Celebrity Wife Swap. He also recently headlined The Off Color Comedy Tour with Keenan Ivory Wayans, Shawn Wayans and David Alan Grier, and co-headlines with Katt Williams, Mike Epps and Martin Lawrence to sell out large venue audiences. Davidson’s film credits include Spike Lee’s Bamboozled, Morgan Creek’s Juwanna Mann, Ace Ventura II: When Nature Calls opposite Jim Carrey, and Strictly Business opposite Halle Berry among others. He also recently starred in the feature documentaries I Am Comic opposite Tim Allen and Lewis Black, and Dying Laughing alongside Jamie Foxx, Kevin Hart, Amy Schumer and Sarah Silverman His recent critically lauded music duets include Sweet Reunion with multi-Grammy winner Dave Koz, I Know with A-list saxophonist, Richard Elliott. He just finished his third single, Stronger, with one of the greatest bands in the history of music, Earth Wind & Fire due for release next month. Kensington Books published Davidson’s memoir Living in Color: What’s Funny About Me, recounting his personal triumphs after having been abandoned as in infant in 2020 achieving historic sales.  Tommy Davidson’s Links Website: https://www.thetommydavidson.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealtommycat/ Amazon: http://bit.ly/48VAcwP Subscribe to the audio podcast of Allison Interviews on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and subscribe to the video podcast on YouTube. :-) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    41 min
5
out of 5
30 Ratings

About

My name is Allison Kugel, and over the past decade, I’ve interviewed hundreds of celebrities and public figures. My interviews are revealing, fun, and above all else, human. I’ve had a front row seat with some of the most accomplished people on this planet, and it’s truly been a gift; a gift I now want to share with you through this podcast. I’ll be interviewing some amazing artists and pop culture figures, and including some of my signature questions, like, “What did you come into this life to learn, and what did you come here to teach?” I hope you’ll take this ride with me and enjoy! Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/allison-interviews/support

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