Paolo Montalban (@itspaolomontalban) helped redefine what a Disney prince could look like, creating a generation's core memory as Prince Christopher in Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella.

In this episode of Had to Ask, Paolo joins Melanie Sutrathada (@melaniesutra) for a thoughtful, funny, and inspiring conversation about the legacy of Cinderella, working alongside Whitney Houston and Brandy, navigating a decades-long career in entertainment, and the mindset that has helped him weather the highs and lows of the industry.

Together, they discuss representation, choosing projects with intention, the importance of making Broadway more sustainable for performers, and why every audition is a chance to trust that what's meant for you will find you.

Plus: ASMR, birthday potato parties, Jason Alexander's unforgettable "fart take" acting advice, JROTC, and an impressive collection of musical instruments.

Chapters:

• 02:00 — The birthday potato party where we first met
• 06:05 — A master of many instruments
• 09:47 — How Cinderella changed representation on screen
• 22:15 — Jason Alexander's hilarious "fart take" acting advice
• 26:55 — Broadway sustainability and protecting performers
• 37:17 — The "lost wallet" mindset for surviving auditions
• 42:02 — The three buckets that guide career decisions
• 46:15 — Returning to his iconic prince in Descendants

Follow Paolo Montalban and Had to Ask (@hadtoaskpod) for more bold, unfiltered conversations — hosted by Melanie Sutrathada.

Co-produced and edited by Joseph Loper.

Special thanks to Thompson Central Park New York for being the perfect space for this conversation with Had to Ask.

⭐️ Loved the episode? Leave a review and share it with someone who needs the reminder that not every opportunity is meant to be yours—and that the right one is still waiting to be found.

Robyn Hurder (⁠@robynhurder⁠) has spent decades building one of Broadway’s most impressive careers, not through overnight success, but through resilience, hard work, and an unwavering love for performing.

In this episode of Had to Ask, Robyn joins Melanie Sutrathada (⁠@melaniesutra⁠) for a candid, funny, and deeply honest conversation about her journey from a young dancer in Maine to becoming one of Broadway’s leading ladies.

Together, they discuss the reality of rejection, the unexpected pressure that comes with starring roles, manifestation and the Law of Attraction, injuries and identity, balancing motherhood with a demanding career, and why creating a full life outside of theatre has become more important than ever.

Plus: Bebe Neuwirth calling her "Marilyn," roller skating in Starlight Express, Renaissance Fairs, Medieval Times, professional wrestling, and the hobbies that keep her grounded.

Chapters:

• 01:45 — Becoming a triple threat and chasing Broadway dreams
• 03:02 — Full-circle moments with Bebe Neuwirth and meeting her idols
• 07:07 — The brutal Cats audition that taught her about rejection
• 16:20 — Manifestation, energy, and the Law of Attraction
• 30:08 — Smash, leading lady pressure, and redefining success
• 33:07 — Injuries, identity, and the mental toll of performing
• 44:28 — Motherhood, normal life, and finding joy beyond the industry
• 51:54 — Renaissance Fairs, Medieval Times, and embracing her eccentric hobbies
• 57:16 — What she's waiting for in this next chapter of her life

Follow Robyn Hurder (⁠@robynhurder⁠) and Had to Ask (⁠@hadtoaskpod⁠) for more bold, unfiltered conversations — hosted by Melanie Sutrathada.

Co-produced and edited by Joseph Loper.

Special thanks to Thompson Central Park New York for being the perfect space for this conversation with Had to Ask.

⭐️ Loved the episode? Leave a review and share it with someone who needs the reminder that success rarely happens overnight, rejection doesn't define you, and a meaningful life is always bigger than your career.

Jenn Colella (@jenncolella) has built a remarkable Broadway career by leading with kindness, courage, and an unwavering commitment to telling stories that change hearts and minds.

In this episode of Had to Ask, Jenn joins Melanie Sutrathada (@melaniesutra) for a thoughtful, funny, and deeply moving conversation about her journey from Urban Cowboy to Come From Away and Suffs.

Together, they discuss the responsibility of performing live, what it means to originate roles on Broadway, letting go of the need to be liked, motherhood, teaching, service, and why so much of life comes down to choosing fear or love.

Plus: the Naked Fight Call, internet love, dream roles, end-of-life doulas, and what it means to feel at the fulcrum of your power at 51.

Chapters:

• 03:26 — Why the “Prayer” scene in Come From Away means so much to her
• 06:34 — Dream roles and the joy of originating characters on Broadway
• 09:27 — The legendary “Naked Fight Call” story from Urban Cowboy
• 11:28 — Why performing still makes her nervous
• 14:07 — Motherhood and “happy”
• 15:52 — Letting go of being liked and embracing complexity
• 21:51 — Changing hearts and minds through storytelling
• 25:28 — Why she’d want to become an end-of-life doula
• 31:18 — Feeling at the “fulcrum of power” at age 51
• 40:13 — The legacy she hopes to leave her daughter

Follow Jenn Colella (@jenncolella) and Had to Ask (@hadtoaskpod) for more bold, unfiltered conversations — hosted by Melanie Sutrathada.

Co-produced and edited by Joseph Loper.

Special thanks to Thompson Central Park New York for being the perfect space for this conversation with Had to Ask.

⭐️ Loved the episode? Leave a review and share it with someone who needs the reminder that kindness is powerful, complicated women are worth celebrating, and choosing love is always worth it.