In this episode of No Business Being A Castano, Jono and Amy sit down with Roman Banks — the powerhouse talent behind MJ: The Musical — for an inspiring and down-to-earth chat about what it really takes to play the King of Pop night after night.
Roman opens up about the physical toll of the role, the mental prep behind the scenes, and how performing MJ helped him face years of body dysmorphia. From national tours to Men's Health shoots, he reflects on imposter syndrome, self-worth, and the hard-earned joy of owning your moment without losing yourself in it.
They talk recovery routines, cast dynamics, internet criticism, and even what it feels like to completely blank out live on stage. With heart, humour and honesty, Roman shares what keeps him grounded—and what he's building far beyond the spotlight.
Timestamps
01:45 – Stepping into MJ’s shoes and the pressure that comes with it
06:30 – Imposter syndrome and landing Men’s Health
11:20 – Body dysmorphia and how the role challenged his self-image
17:00 – The emotional weight of criticism and learning to let go
22:30 – Performance prep: playlists, cold plunges, and toe pads
26:40 – The white room: forgetting your lines in front of 1,000 people
30:00 – Cast chemistry and protecting backstage energy
35:00 – Personal routines, foodie confessions, and “Wednesday Waffles”
40:30 – Big wins, quiet getaways, and a custom necklace
45:00 – A vision for longevity, legacy, and meaningful work
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Follow Roman Banks:
instagram.com/romanwbanks/
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