As one of the co creators/executive producers of the hit reality show Dance Moms, this podcast will be a safe space to talk about all things Dance. I will have meaningful conversations with guests from the show Dance Moms, as well as discussing the colorful, magical Dance competition world that I grew up competing in and am still a part of teaching and choreographing for. Dancing and being in the film and TV Industry for over 40 years I will be talking with those who who have inspired me and we will share our knowledge on what worked, what didn’t and why. Growing up a young feminine boy who loved to dance was extremely challenging in a lot of ways. Now as gay man I will have some heartfelt meetings with people in the LGBTQ community to share about this and the suffering that goes on currently with adults and kids and how we can help and most importantly heal it
Put your dance shoes on every other Friday when this podcast comes out! Listen. Be Bold. Be Fierce.
Sincerely,
John Corella
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As one of the co creators/executive producers of the hit reality show Dance Moms, this podcast will be a safe space to talk about all things Dance. I will have meaningful conversations with guests from the show Dance Moms, as well as discussing the colorful, magical Dance competition world that I grew up competing in and am still a part of teaching and choreographing for. Dancing and being in the film and TV Industry for over 40 years I will be talking with those who who have inspired me and we will share our knowledge on what worked, what didn’t and why. Growing up a young feminine boy who loved to dance was extremely challenging in a lot of ways. Now as gay man I will have some heartfelt meetings with people in the LGBTQ community to share about this and the suffering that goes on currently with adults and kids and how we can help and most importantly heal it
Put your dance shoes on every other Friday when this podcast comes out! Listen. Be Bold. Be Fierce.
Sincerely,
John Corella
EP 29: Out in Hollywood with Mean Girls Star Danny Franzese
Dance Dad With John Corella
1 hour 15 minutes 52 seconds
7 months ago
EP 29: Out in Hollywood with Mean Girls Star Danny Franzese
Can you be a gay actor, a man of faith, and a bold truth-teller in an industry that often expects you to pick one?
This week, John Corella sits down with actor and LGBTQ+ activist Danny Franzese, best known as Damian in Mean Girls. Danny shares what it was like to play an openly gay character while still closeted in real life, and how that disconnect shaped his early career. The conversation pulls back the curtain on what many actors face behind the scenes, especially when their identity challenges what the industry expects or understands.
Danny also introduces a less-talked-about influence in his journey: the Alexander Technique. For him, it wasn’t just a posture tool. It became a way to find alignment, physically and emotionally. How do you carry yourself when no one’s watching? Can you feel present in your own skin, even in chaos? Danny makes a case for the connection between movement, intention, and inner peace.
John and Danny also discuss the ongoing debate around representation in the media. Should gay roles be reserved for gay actors? What does authentic storytelling really require, and who gets to tell which stories?
This episode is part personal story, part thoughtful critique, and part reminder that the body, the voice, and the truth all deserve space. Danny brings depth, humor, and honesty to a conversation that speaks to anyone who’s ever wondered whether they’re “too much” to be fully seen.
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Introduction
04:44 Alexander Technique
10:53 Stage Performance and Authenticity
14:48 Acting and Being in the Moment
19:29 Past Danny and Future Danny
23:19 Coming Out and Mean Girls Experience
26:40 LGBTQ+ Representation in Media
29:15 Career Challenges Post-Mean Girls
32:14 Becoming an Advocate
34:07 LGBTQ+ Films and Representation
38:55 Wokeness and Diversity
41:14 Realistic Representation in Media
Links
Connect with Danny Franzese:www.instagram.com/whatsupdanny
www.yassjesuspod.com/
patreon.com/TheonlyDanceDadwithJohnCorella
@dancedadpodcast.bsky.social
Dance Dad with John Corella on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dancedadwithjohncorella/
John on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/john_corella/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
Dance Dad With John Corella
As one of the co creators/executive producers of the hit reality show Dance Moms, this podcast will be a safe space to talk about all things Dance. I will have meaningful conversations with guests from the show Dance Moms, as well as discussing the colorful, magical Dance competition world that I grew up competing in and am still a part of teaching and choreographing for. Dancing and being in the film and TV Industry for over 40 years I will be talking with those who who have inspired me and we will share our knowledge on what worked, what didn’t and why. Growing up a young feminine boy who loved to dance was extremely challenging in a lot of ways. Now as gay man I will have some heartfelt meetings with people in the LGBTQ community to share about this and the suffering that goes on currently with adults and kids and how we can help and most importantly heal it
Put your dance shoes on every other Friday when this podcast comes out! Listen. Be Bold. Be Fierce.
Sincerely,
John Corella
