Live On The Sunset Strip with Asher Angel

Summary

Podcast Summary: Detox Retox with Tom Schwartz

Episode: Live On The Sunset Strip with Asher Angel
Date: August 26, 2025
Guest: Asher Angel
Location: Saddle Ranch, Sunset Strip, Los Angeles

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Overview

This vibrant episode of Detox Retox finds Tom Schwartz and his co-host taking their signature blend of “mindfulness and mischief” to the iconic Sunset Strip, where they meet up with multi-talented performer Asher Angel. The conversation navigates a wide range of topics, from the evolution and existential challenges of Hollywood’s most storied boulevard, to Asher’s journey as a young artist, his collaborations (including with Nelly), and reflections on fame, balance, and creativity. Along the way, they reminisce, joke, and dig into what keeps the “dream” of Hollywood alive, even as the city around them rapidly changes.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Changing Sunset Strip & Hollywood (01:28–13:09)

• Tom expresses anxiety and nostalgia about the rapid gentrification and loss of “mom and pop” spots on the Strip.
  • Quote: “Every time I go up there, there’s a new high-rise and one less former haunt dive. I’m worried...it just feels kind of like a ghost of its former self.” (03:25)
• They lament closures of institutions like The Standard Hotel, Greenblatt’s, and The Den, discussing rising rents, post-COVID struggles, and shifts in nightlife and Hollywood production.
• Despite the changes, Tom remains hopeful that “the dream is still alive,” but calls for a “eulogy for the places that have closed.”
• Discussion about the resilience of old-school venues like Saddle Ranch, where they record the episode.
• Reference documentaries and books that capture the old magic (“Sunset Strip,” “Castle on Sunset” by Shawn Levy).

2. Meeting Asher Angel: Humble Beginnings & Career Milestones (13:09–19:12)

• Asher Angel joins at Saddle Ranch; Tom runs down his multi-hyphenate status (actor, singer, writer, producer, musician) at only 22 years old.
• Asher expresses his excitement to be on the show and his fandom for Tom’s Vanderpump Rules days.
  • Quote: “This is an honor and a privilege...those were some of the podcasts that I wanted to go on.” (14:32)
• They share memories of Sunset Boulevard and Asher recalls performing at The Roxy (his first LA venue).

3. The Enduring Coolness and Lore of the Strip (15:02–18:25)

• Tom and Asher discuss whether Sunset Boulevard is “still cool” for younger generations.
  • Asher: “Yeah, I think everyone comes here...there’s something in the air over here, and it’s special.” (17:51)
• Tom’s nostalgia for music history: The Comedy Store, Chateau Marmont, the Rainbow Room, and memorable celebrity encounters and performances.

4. Music Talk: Collabs, Inspirations, and Instruments (18:25–23:43)

• Asher details his partnership with Nelly for their new song “Rodeo,” revealing how the collaboration came about.
  • Quote (on Nelly): “He heard the song...immediately loved the record and wanted to hop on it. As soon as I heard that, I was like, ‘Nelly? Are you kidding me? Nelly’s going to be on my song?’” (19:28)
• Tom nerds out on “Country Grammar,” presenting Asher with a vinyl copy and connecting it as a blueprint for cross-genre hits.
  • Quote: “For me? That album...may as well have been a national anthem when it came out. You couldn’t escape it...this shit’s ingrained in my DNA.” (21:21)
• They reminisce on Nelly/Tim McGraw’s “Over and Over,” Run DMC & Aerosmith “Walk This Way,” and the cultural evolution of genre-mashing music (Lil Nas X, Jelly Roll).

5. Karaoke & Early Musical Experiences (24:30–26:10)

• Asher’s go-to karaoke song: “Hallelujah” (Jeff Buckley version), the first song he ever sang and learned on guitar, inspired by his dad.
• Music is deeply rooted in his family; his uncle was in a band called Surgical Steel.

6. Acting Roots and Hollywood Hustle (26:10–31:07)

• Tom and Asher swap stories about early commercial work and first film roles; Asher’s first set was “Jolene” (screenplay by his uncle).
• Asher shares the experience of growing up in the industry, embracing performance, and gratitude for opportunities.
  • Quote: “I struggled with being present for a long time... now I’m just so present. Sometimes you forget, like, you’re on set all the time...but I get to make movies for a living. How fucking cool is that?” (29:23)

7. Disney Channel and “Andi Mack” (30:10–31:22)

• Asher recalls “Andi Mack” as a career-launching, formative experience, tight-knit cast, and their groundbreaking storylines.
  • Quote: “There was no show like Andi Mack...it really tackled so many significant, important moments.” (31:22)
• Recent charity reunion for California wildfires.

8. TMZ Crashers & Fame Reflections (31:22–34:43)

• Unexpected cameo: TMZ tour bus pulls up; fun meta-commentary on being recognized and “celebrities being fans of celebrities.”
• Asher reflects on the strangeness of fame and how surreal it still feels.

9. Musical Theater Roots & Aspirations (34:45–39:15)

• Tom gifts Asher a “Pippin” vinyl (from Amoeba Records), Asher’s dream Broadway role—sparked by a family trip to NYC and seeing the show with his mom.
• Community theater stories, moving from ensemble to lead in “Oliver!” with a live orchestra, feeling validated and “on his path.”

10. Upbringing, Balance, and Staying Grounded (39:15–41:11)

• Asher discusses how growing up in Arizona (not LA) helped keep him grounded and avoid industry pitfalls.
  • He’s focused on “setting up [his] future” and not getting swept up in Hollywood party culture.

11. Resilience, Rejection, and Passion (41:26–47:10)

• The importance of staying present, facing “a thousand no’s,” and not letting rejection become your identity.
  • Quote: “People don’t really know...the inside of the business and the rejection. That part of it is hard. Some people...just can’t even move past the rejection...It’s hard, really hard.” (39:37)
• Asher shares how he stays resilient, keeps his circle small, and focuses on creative passion—even when faced with burnout.

12. Inside the Actors Studio: Detox Retox Questionnaire (42:24–53:11)

A playful homage to James Lipton’s famous questionnaire:

• Detox: Asher’s favorite way to unwind: “Spending time at home. My family, my friends. Phoenix in the summer—just being with my loved ones helps me decompress, relax, detox.” (43:06)
• Retox/Vice: Food is his vice (“Foodie. Food for me, too. All day.” 43:33)
• Worst Job: Indie sets with difficult directors/producers, but always shows up prepared and treats every role as “something special. It’s art.” (45:18)
• Creative Turn-on: Shared moments, settlement, time with “my brother, my buddy,” and his passion for his craft. (45:55)
• Turn-offs: Negative energy and people (“I keep them as far away from me as possible.” 47:21)
• Favorite curse word: “Probably…shit. I say shit a lot.” (48:31)
• Sound he loves: High-frequency relaxing sounds sent by his partner Kylie to help him sleep (49:13)
• Sound he hates: “People sneeze and don’t cover their mouth…that’s foul.” (50:12)
• Alternate Career: Sports—”Probably basketball…maybe golf…in another life, maybe real estate like my dad.” (51:11)
• Career he’d never try: “Being a comedian. So challenging. So hard… you might hear some crickets.” (51:38)
• If heaven exists, first meal & drink at the gates: “An In N Out cheeseburger…It’s a triple triple…animal fries, duh.” (52:20)

13. Final Reflections: Is the Dream Still Alive? (53:30–end)

• Tom, Asher, and the co-host affirm the evolving but enduring magic of the Sunset Strip and Hollywood:
  • Quote: “I think the dream is still alive. It’s just different now. Asher, you’ve given me hope again.” (55:00)
• Shout-outs to the Rainbow Room, Beverly Hills Hotel, and the lasting “Tinseltown magic” that persists even amid change.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Nostalgia and Change:
  “It’s not necessarily dying…it’s just changing. Evolving. Guess it’s all reshaping its character and it’s this transition...it’s been gradual but feels very abrupt.” —Tom Schwartz (06:11)

• On Resilience:
  “People don’t really know…the inside of the business and the rejection…Some people lose themselves. I think I did for some time. Now, I’m so present.” —Asher Angel (39:37/29:23)

• On Performing:
  “I was like the kid who always wanted to perform for everyone…just make people happy…through the art.” —Asher Angel (26:49)

• On Collabs:
  “Nelly’s going to be on my song? Are you kidding me?” —Asher Angel (19:28)

• On “Old Hollywood” Lore:
  “I swear, I remember seeing Paris Hilton smoking a ciggy out front…the first time I went there, and I was like, I’ve arrived.” —Tom Schwartz (08:50)

• On Role Models:
  “If I was to go on Broadway, [Pippin] is the show I want to do.” —Asher Angel (35:30)

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Timestamps of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:28 | Tom’s reflection on the Sunset Strip’s changing landscape | | 13:09 | Asher Angel joins at Saddle Ranch | | 17:51 | Asher’s take: is the Strip still cool? “There’s something in the air...” | | 19:28 | How the Nelly collaboration for “Rodeo” happened | | 21:21 | “Country Grammar” as blueprint for cross-genre hits | | 24:35 | Karaoke & early musical experiences | | 26:10 | Acting career beginnings, “Jolene” story | | 29:23 | Asher on growing up in the industry and staying present | | 31:22 | “Andi Mack” impact and representation | | 34:45 | Asher’s musical theater roots and Broadway dreams | | 39:37 | The reality and resilience required in show business | | 42:24–53:11 | Detox Retox “Inside the Actors Studio” lighthearted questionnaire | | 53:30 | Final reflections on Sunset, Hollywood, and keeping the dream alive |

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Tone and Style

The episode is lively, heartfelt, irreverent, and deeply nostalgic. Tom brings vulnerability, affection for old-school LA, and self-deprecating humor. Asher matches with grounded optimism, openness about industry pressures, and passion for music and acting. The show is a blend of “real talk,” playful banter, and genuine reflection, all set against the storied backdrop of Sunset Boulevard.

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Conclusion

This episode of Detox Retox captures the bittersweet evolution of Hollywood’s heart, the Sunset Strip, through the eyes of both its longtime denizens and rising stars like Asher Angel. Asher’s sincerity, combined with Tom’s nostalgia, makes for an engaging exploration of ambition, creativity, and perseverance. The episode ultimately reaffirms that, though Los Angeles and the business may change, the dream—and a little magic—still endures.

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“I think the dream is still alive. It’s just different now. Asher, you’ve given me hope again.”
—Tom Schwartz (55:00)

Transcript

[Asher Angel]

Thanks for selling your car to Carvana. Here's your check. Whoa. When did I get here? What do you mean?

[Tom Schwartz]

I swear it was just moments ago.

[Asher Angel]

That I accepted a great offer from Carvana online. I must have time traveled to the future. It was just moments ago. We do same day pickup. Here's your check for that great offer. It is the future. It's. It's the present and just the convenience of Carvana. Sorry to blow your mind. It's all good. Happens all the time. Sell your car the convenient way to Carvana. Pick up. Times may vary and fees may apply.

[Narrator]

Searching for a romantic summer getaway escape with Rich Girl Summer. The new Audible original from Lily Chiu. The exquisitely talented Philippa Sue. Returning to narrate her fifth Lily Chu title. This time, Philippa is joined by her real life husband, Stephen Pasquale. Set in Toronto's wealthy cottage country, AKA the Hamptons of Canada, Rich Girl Summer follows the story of Valerie, a down on her luck event planner posing as a socialite's long lost daughter while piecing together the secrets surrounding a mysterious family and falling deeper and deeper in love with the impossibly hard to read and infuriatingly handsome family assistant, Nico. Caught between pretending to belong and unexpectedly finding where she truly fits in, Valerie learns her summer is about to get far more complicated than she ever planned. She's in over her head and head over heels. Listen to Rich Girl Summer now on audible. Go to audible.com richgirlsommar.

[Tom Schwartz]

It'S now time for your weekly retox with Tom Schwartz. What is up?

[Co-host]

Welcome to another episode, Detox Retox Harmony check. How you feeling? Yes, you. Are you good? How's your harmony? Are you keeping it together? Are you falling apart? Hopefully a bit of both. When I say fall apart, I don't mean anything toxic.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah, man.

[Co-host]

Just treating yourself, not being too hard on yourself. Not feeling bad about feeling good. But we're trying to level up in every way. Way more Detox than Retox. Today we're gonna go. We're gonna meet Asher angel up on the Sunset Strip, which we need to talk about. I'm very worried about the Sunset Strip, guys. Hollywood in general is facing an existential crisis. Asher is not, though. He's been killing the game for a long time. You might know him from the Disney Channel. Andy Mack. The Shazam Movies. He's been in a ton of stuff. He's only 22, but he's a veteran of the industry. He's also a musician, writer, singer. He's got A new song out Rodeo with Nelly. Going to talk about it, but. But yeah, man, we're going to the Sunset Strip, which will always be iconic in my mind, but I'm worried about the Sunset Strip and just the whole ecosystem here in Hollywood. Are movie stars even still a thing? I don't know. Asher is making me think they are, but it does feel like a ghost of itself lately up there. We're gonna meet at Saddle Ranch, one of my old stomping grounds. I think they've been around since 99, but, like, they're one of the few remaining old school spots up there. It's tough out there for mom and pops right now, man. Every time I go up there, there's a new high rise and one less former haunt dive. I'm worried. I'm worried. Yeah, there's this shift towards luxury up there. You don't feel like that local flavor that you used to. And of course, it's still steeped in history and lore. It's still rock and roll up there, but like, man, it just feels kind of like a ghost of its former self. I highly recommend you go watch the documentary the Sunset Strip. It's really good, man. There's a lot of lore on the Sunset Strip back in the day. You know, it's kind of leaning into luxury apartments, boutique chic hotels, exclusive spots. It's. It's expensive up there now. It's definitely not dead by any means. It's just. It's just changing, drastically changing. And I'm not going to be a Debbie Downer. I don't want to lose you guys here. Not going to be a Debbie Downer. I think the dream is still alive, but, man, can we do like a little eulogy for the places that have closed? I think just post. Covid. Covid ravaged this whole industry, in this whole town. The fires didn't help either. But like, longtime favorites up on Sunset, La Petite 4, 44 years running. RIP, the Standard Hotel that's been closed for a while. Oh, my God, the things I've done up there. The Den, one of my favorite spots. Right across from the Chateau, Rip Rock and Riley's Rip the Pearl, which was above where I freaking. The Pearl where I proposed to Katie. Just a distant memory now, man. Just in quesos, which I had a chance to invest in. Glad I didn't because it's no longer with us. No disrespect to that crew. Shout out to Justin Queso's crew. Happy Endings didn't have a happy ending. If you know, you know man, one of my OG spots. Greenblatt's Deli, next to the Laugh Factory. The iconic West Hollywood eatery closes permanently after 95 years. That was like in 2001 or I think 20. 22. I mean, 21. It's gone. The Hudson house, man. Pig Taco just closed down 1Oak. That place was a beast. I don't think anyone's gonna miss One Oak. That's okay. I wasn't there that long, so it's not. I'm not talking, but it's tough out there. The Black Cat. Anybody go to the Black Cat on Sunset? Max used to manage there. Max was on Vanderpump Rules. It's gone, man. It's just tough out there. It's hard to keep up with Ren. It's brutal for mom and Pops right now. Just rising costs. They're crushing small businesses. Rent and overhead on the Strip are insane. They're on par with Rodeo Drive. It's around like $92 per square foot. That is brutal. It makes it tough for mom and Pops to survive. Maybe survive, but definitely not thrive. I know this pain very well. Rent is brutal here in West Hollywood. I mean, operating costs can be up to 70% higher than other parts of LA. Yeah, man. Soaring taxes, insurance, labor costs. A 30% minimum wage hike since COVID which sounds good, but it makes it just really hard for these businesses to make a profit just because everything's so damn expensive now. And yeah, man, I don't know. Hollywood's getting existential, Tom. Keep it positive. But there's been a steady decline in all forms of production. So many productions are choosing to film and other more affordable, tax friendly locations. And, man, yeah, there's been a trickle down effect that hurts everyone. All the businesses here. Yeah. And I met a lot of people that have decided that they can still pursue their dream, live their dream of acting or music while living somewhere else cheaper. Asher's the perfect example. He lives a chill life in Phoenix, but he's crushing it. He's killing the game. Listen, I still get that old Hollywood swinging feel when I'm up here. It's still a vibe still steeped in rock and roll lore and I'm still fond of. I've had so many great memories up here. I think when I got to LA in 2009, it was still rocking. You know, it was cool. But it's not necessarily dying. It's. It's just changing. Evolving. Yeah, man, I guess that's a mix of, like we talked about earlier, economic pressure, just changing social habits. People drink and party less, which I guess is a good thing socially. But, man, I don't know. Makes it tough for bars and restaurants. Urban redevelopment, it's just. Yeah, it's. It's. Guess it's all reshaping its character, and it's this. This transition. It's been gradual, but it feels very abrupt. You go up there now, and it's all just luxury high rises. I remember being at the Chateau back in the day when I first got here. Celebrity sightings. I swear, I remember seeing Paris Hilton smoking a ciggy out front. Like, the first time I went there, and I was like, I've arrived. I remember being back there in, like, 2012. VPR was just getting ready to take off into orbit back when Lindsay Lohan was holed up there, like, $46,000 in unpaid charges. So she got the boot out of the iconic Chateau Marmont. At least allegedly. By the way, this is from a book called the Castle on Sunset. Highly recommend. You get it. Author Sean Levy. So much history up there. It's haunted, enchanted, in the best possible way, man. But, yeah, back in the day. Back in the day, man. Yeah. I don't know. I don't know. It feels a little. Not dystopian, but, like, all these high rises, mom and pops disappearing. I remain optimistic. It still has its. It still has its spots, you know, it's still the Sunset Strip. It still has that magical feeling. And I'm. I'm still hopeful that the Strip has a bit stripped of its glitz, at least not completely. I do think the dream is still alive. That's the takeaway from this episode, but please listen to the rest. That's the takeaway. So is Sunset Boulevard. It's just changing, evolving. For better, for worse, I think. Worse. But the dream is still alive. Asher angel is living it, and he's worked very hard to maintain and accomplish everything. He's killing the game. He also has a new collab with Nelly. Yes, that Nelly. Yeah, that's what I'm talking about, the Nelly. And it is a banger. Certified. We're also going to reminisce about some former songs that were the blueprint for collabs like this. You know what I'm talking about? You remember this one?

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah, man.

[Co-host]

That one paved the way. We're going to get into it, and I'm excited to chat with Asher. He's living the dream. At one point, that was my dream. I guess life had other plans for me, but I'm grateful. I'm happy. I still love La I'm so proud to say I live here. If I'm being completely honest, I don't know how long I want to stay here, but, yeah, we're hit the. Yeah, Saddle Ranch. You guys, who's been to Saddle Ranch, it's steeped in its own freaking lore. It's been there since, like, 99, I think. Man, we've had a lot of good times up there. It was one of our. One of our main spots.

[Tom Schwartz]

We. I loved starting at Saddle Ranch.

[Co-host]

It's been featured in shows like Sex in the City, Desperate Housewives. Also, do you guys remember back around, like, 2010 or 11, there was a show, a reality show called Saddle Ranch. It was kind of a pre VPR prototype that never really made it out of the first season. Season.

[Asher Angel]

I'm looking at.

[Co-host]

Hold on a sec. I'm looking at the tagline Saddle Ranch. Young dreamers come to Hollywood working at Sunset Strip. Saddle Ranch while pursuing fame. Some fine success like Kelly Clarkson. Others get lost in nightlife, while some discover unexpected dreams.

[Tom Schwartz]

I gotta go back and watch that.

[Co-host]

You should do a watch along with that.

[Tom Schwartz]

But yeah.

[Co-host]

Let's go check up on the sun. Go check up with Asher. Let's check up on Sunset Boulevard. Check the pulse on the Strip. It's 4pm when we're meeting on a Thursday. Is Hollywood still swinging even in the midst of its existential crisis? The sun still sets on Sunset. Let's sip some whiskey, see if it still go go's. Let's go meet up with Asher Angelica in the City of Angels, and let's see if the Strip still has its wings. It's magic. Okay, we're gonna go get into it, you guys. This is a good one. I mean, I think it's gonna be a good one, so stay tuned. Next stop, Sunset Strip.

[Tom Schwartz]

We're going. It's on. Asher, angel in the house. Wait, am I too loud? Wait, how do I sound?

[Asher Angel]

You sound amazing. You sound like you do this for a living.

[Tom Schwartz]

Really?

[Asher Angel]

Yeah. You sound professional.

[Tom Schwartz]

I like to. I like to slow it down a little bit. Yeah. This is my podcast voice. All right. Asher, angel in the house. We are on the iconic Sunset Boulevard.

[Asher Angel]

Yeah, we are.

[Tom Schwartz]

We are at Saddle Ranch, making memories together.

[Asher Angel]

Tom.

[Tom Schwartz]

If you guys don't know Asher, I'm pretty sure you do. If you don't know you're about to. He's tried to test it. Industry pro. He at least a quintimple threat. Yes.

[Asher Angel]

Singer. You could say yes. Sister.

[Tom Schwartz]

Writer. Producer. Musician. Musician.

[Asher Angel]

I sound pretty multifaceted.

[Tom Schwartz]

At the least a Quintemple threat. Okay. And you're 22. 23.

[Asher Angel]

Yeah. 22.

[Tom Schwartz]

Dude, you've accomplished more at the age of 22 than most people will. Their entire life is a very good. That sounds kind of bleak, but you're killing the game. Since 2. 2002. You guys were doing the damn thing.

[Asher Angel]

Let's do it.

[Tom Schwartz]

How you feeling, Asher?

[Asher Angel]

Dude, I feel incredible. I. We were just talking, and you obviously know I'm a big fan of yours, and so I'm pretty psyched to be here because I'm a huge Vanderpump fan, me and my whole family.

[Tom Schwartz]

I thought maybe Steph peer pressured you into this, and I was apologizing in advance and you're like, bro, you don't have to apologize.

[Asher Angel]

No, this is an honor and a privilege. You know, we. I talk to Steph about you all the time, which was like, no, I want to go. Like, those were some of the podcasts that I wanted to go on.

[Tom Schwartz]

Wow.

[Asher Angel]

Obviously. No, it's an honor to be here with the. The infamous Tom.

[Tom Schwartz]

Wow. Holy. Well, let's. Let's just get right into the hard hitting questions. You've been to Saddle Ranch. Have you been on the bull?

[Asher Angel]

I have been.

[Tom Schwartz]

Wait, you have been on the bull?

[Asher Angel]

I've been on the bowl a long time ago.

[Tom Schwartz]

There's a mechanical bull here, guys, if you've never been. And I don't recommend it.

[Asher Angel]

At least not so you recommend.

[Tom Schwartz]

At least not so much story to tell us. I feel like Sunset Boulevard has stories to tell. Like, I always feel. Do you feel a little cooler when you're up on Sunset Boulevard?

[Asher Angel]

Always, yes. It's. Even when I'm. I'm walking the entire area, it's just iconic. You never know who you're gonna see.

[Tom Schwartz]

Exactly. You know, it. I always feel just like slightly elevated in terms of my coolness. I don't know if it's cool anymore, but maybe we can get into that because, I don't know, like, I come up here and I try to soak up, like, some history, some lore. Do you still feel it? I feel like it's steeped in rock and roll history up here.

[Asher Angel]

No, it. It is definitely.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yes.

[Asher Angel]

Cemented in rock and roll. Rock and roll history.

[Tom Schwartz]

That's what I'm saying. Like, I mean, listen, if we go up a little bit, like, maybe like 100ft west of here, we have the Comedy Store.

[Asher Angel]

Iconic.

[Tom Schwartz]

Every iconic comedian ever has performed there. We go up a little further, or if we go back there a little bit east, we have the Chateau Marmont, by the way. I was going to pivot, you guys. This is real. I was going to pivot, and it was gonna hit you up this morning. Like, do you want to do Chateau? Guess how much a room was? I thought we could do a little poolside chat. It was $4,200.

[Asher Angel]

Oh, my gosh.

[Tom Schwartz]

So we're just trying to have a quick chat. We're chilling at the Saddle Ranch, and.

[Asher Angel]

We can't forget about the Roxy.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yes.

[Asher Angel]

I will say that is the first venue I. I ever played.

[Tom Schwartz]

That was my next question. How so? You've. How many different places have you performed on? Sunset Boulevard, The Viper Room, the rocks, Whiskey Go Go.

[Asher Angel]

I've really only performed at. At the Roxy.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yes.

[Asher Angel]

Like, I actually haven't performed in a lot of places in California.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yes.

[Asher Angel]

Surprising, yet.

[Tom Schwartz]

Well, if you want to make the run, you got to make the run. If you want to perform at the Viper Room, it better be soon, because they're about to turn it into a high rise, actually. Yeah. The iconic Viper Room.

[Co-host]

I know.

[Tom Schwartz]

I'm sad.

[Asher Angel]

Oh, and the Peppermint Club. I know we're not. It's not on Sunset.

[Tom Schwartz]

That's on Beverly.

[Asher Angel]

I know, but it's just, like, I have done something there.

[Tom Schwartz]

Okay.

[Asher Angel]

That's two venues.

[Tom Schwartz]

But you've been. Have you. Oh, thank you so much. We got some bread coming in.

[Asher Angel]

Yummy.

[Tom Schwartz]

Have you been, like. I just. I feel the history. Like David Lee Roth. Van Halen used to have a residency at Gazaris, which is 1Oak, which is closed now. RIP 1Oak. I don't know if you ever went there.

[Asher Angel]

I didn't.

[Tom Schwartz]

They fell behind on Rent or something. And after. A lot of places just never recovered after the pandemic. But yes. Whiskey A Go Go. The Doors. I was just watching a video. Eminem performing there in 98 before he blew up Sick. So sick. Before he. Before he dropped the Slim Shady lp. Yes.

[Asher Angel]

Oh, my God.

[Tom Schwartz]

Sorry. I'm just nerding out a little bit. Sunset Boulevard.

[Asher Angel]

I know it's iconic.

[Tom Schwartz]

Like. Okay. I don't want to put pressure on you, Asher. I'm going to ask you to be the voice of your generation right now. Okay. Do people say. Let's just say ages 18 to 30. Do they come to Sunset Boulevard? Is it cool? Your cohorts, your colleagues, your friends? People. Artists.

[Asher Angel]

Yeah.

[Tom Schwartz]

In the industry. Do they come here?

[Asher Angel]

Dude, I think. Yeah. I don't think there's a certain demographic. Yeah, I think everyone comes here. Like, all my friends come here. Like, this is the place to Be like, I much rather this over the Hollywood walk of Fame. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's super iconic, but I'm just saying there's something in the air over here, and it's special.

[Tom Schwartz]

You feel that? Like, you can go to the rainbow room.

[Asher Angel]

Oh, yeah.

[Tom Schwartz]

Which is, like less than a mile west of us, and you can see. Sit in the same booth. Sorry. I'm getting excited that Ozzy Osbourne sat in. You know what? I'm just knowing that, like, Slash from Guns N Roses was in there slamming a half bottle of Jack Daniels.

[Asher Angel]

History.

[Tom Schwartz]

Not to romanticize over consumption.

[Asher Angel]

Do you have a crush, Tom?

[Tom Schwartz]

Dude, can we talk a little music?

[Asher Angel]

Yeah, let's do it.

[Tom Schwartz]

Okay, first of all, what instruments do you play?

[Asher Angel]

I play guitar.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yes. Yeah, you play guitar. Do you play a little piano?

[Asher Angel]

I dabble on the piano.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah, Tickle the. Tickle the ivory a little bit for.

[Asher Angel]

The piano and the drums. I guess I tickled the ivory, dude.

[Tom Schwartz]

I'm on the way over here.

[Asher Angel]

I listened to Rodeo. Yeah, man. What you think?

[Tom Schwartz]

It's awesome. It's a certified banger.

[Asher Angel]

Thank you.

[Tom Schwartz]

I was sad I couldn't see the video. Music videos are one of my favorite expressions of art. Very visual. Yes. I feel like there's a lot of. A lot of leeway in terms of creative direction with music videos, and it's. Yeah, it's one of my favorite expressions of art. But you, dude, it's a banger. And you collaborated with Nelly.

[Asher Angel]

Yeah.

[Tom Schwartz]

How? Who? What? When? Where? How?

[Asher Angel]

Who? When? Where? How?

[Tom Schwartz]

I know you've been in the game a long time. Sick collab with Wiz. Wiz Khalifa.

[Asher Angel]

Look at you. Did your research.

[Tom Schwartz]

No, I know, dude. It's a banger. Well, I'll play you guys a little bit in a little bit. How did. How did this Nelly collaboration come to fruition?

[Asher Angel]

So, you know, I've been working with this. These. I have an amazing team. It's hitmaker, Prince Krishan, Princess Tuh. I've been working with them since I was 16. Like, the last records I put out were really. When I was 16, I put out one thought away with Wiz Khalifa. So they've been, like a big supporter, a big support system for me and. And have really been guiding me through this my entire journey. And so they have a really close relationship with Nelly. He heard the song, it was sent over to him and immediately loved the record and wanted to hop on it. And, you know, as soon as I heard that, I was like, nelly? Are you kidding me? Nelly's going to be on my song.

[Tom Schwartz]

Listen, we. Before we. Before we sat down, we talked a little bit about Country Grammar. Can I play like a little. A little beat? Can I play a little beat?

[Asher Angel]

Hey, hey.

[Tom Schwartz]

Oh, that's you. That's you.

[Asher Angel]

No, that's me. Wait, that's you.

[Tom Schwartz]

Wait.

[Asher Angel]

Come on, Tom.

[Tom Schwartz]

I forgot to. I don't want to get copyright strike.

[Asher Angel]

All right, fine.

[Tom Schwartz]

Okay. Yeah, I had to give him a little taste, but no, we were. We were Segwaying into Country Grammar, which is iconic. You knew about it, right? You love it.

[Asher Angel]

Yeah.

[Tom Schwartz]

Okay. Can I play a little clip just to get. Just to wet the appetite?

[Asher Angel]

Hey, where they at? Where they at? Come on now.

[Tom Schwartz]

Dude, those. You guys, we are literally outside. Those opening licks, they still send shivers down my spine.

[Asher Angel]

Me too.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yes. It's one of my favorite albums. By the way, do you know who Nardwar is? Oh, he's this guy. He's a famous interviewer and he. He does interviews with musicians, artists, actors, and he always brings cool things. And I'm. I'm kind of acting as a bootleg Nardmore right now. I brought you something. Country Grammar Vinyl.

[Asher Angel]

Dude, you are freaking awesome. No.

[Tom Schwartz]

What up?

[Asher Angel]

Shot for me? You got this for me?

[Tom Schwartz]

What are the for. For me? That album, if it defined and it redefined an era, the year 2000, the early 2000s. I'm telling you, it may as well have been a national anthem when it came out. You couldn't escape it. And like I said earlier, this shit's ingrained in my DNA.

[Asher Angel]

No, 100%, dude, this is the best era of music right here. Like, this is what. This is what music needs to go back to this time.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yes.

[Asher Angel]

You know, and I think.

[Tom Schwartz]

I mean, it was kind of. Kind of like a blueprint for cross genre hits because it's like, it was. It still was authentic, right? It was Nelly, but it had a little dash of pop in it.

[Asher Angel]

Those pop elements.

[Tom Schwartz]

That's what I mean.

[Asher Angel]

I love it.

[Tom Schwartz]

And I think it was. Yeah, it was like the blueprint for some crossovers. And, yeah, man, it's just very near and dear to me when I hear that song. If you want to close your eyes for a second, Asher, let's get in the moment. I'm immediately transported back to Minnesota. It's the year 2000. I'm still in high school. We're in the back of the limo, we're on the way to prom, drinking liquor out of our parents cabinets. Are you with me?

[Asher Angel]

So with you. All right.

[Tom Schwartz]

The fantasy is Over.

[Asher Angel]

I enjoyed it. You said it sounded like it's something, you know.

[Tom Schwartz]

No, but I listen. I don't know. They say music's our closest form of time travel. I hear that song and I'm just whisped right back to the early 2000s, and I don't know. I feel like that song.

[Asher Angel]

That's my whole playlist, man. It's all 2000s hits. I mean, the best music.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yes. Best era, by the way. Okay. If you know about that, I'm sure, you know, let's go back to 2004. Let's fast forward, like, four years. Nelly, Tim McGraw. You know what I'm talking about. Over and over again. That was the one. I mean, at the time, it was like kind of a radical crossover country, hip hop. It was a big deal.

[Asher Angel]

Yeah.

[Tom Schwartz]

It made waves in the industry, and it kind of caused, like, a. Like a cultural ruckus.

[Asher Angel]

Yeah. A little controversy.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah. You were like, two. I know, but I was there.

[Asher Angel]

You experienced.

[Tom Schwartz]

Google it if you were there, too. But, like, I mean, a lot of people said. The purists said, like, the two shouldn't mix. You know, it was like a St. Louis rapper, a Nashville, Nashville country star, and they were swagging on a balance together. And I don't know, I. Something about that. I just feel like it was.

[Co-host]

It, like, brought our nation together 100%.

[Tom Schwartz]

Not to get too gushy here to get gushy, but, like, I. Honestly, I really do. Some people balked at it. Like, they thought I was just. Just a novelty. But that changed the game.

[Asher Angel]

100. It paved the way.

[Tom Schwartz]

It really did. That's literally what I was.

[Asher Angel]

I was gonna say next.

[Tom Schwartz]

Honestly, it paved the way to where we are now and kind of like, Remember, like, Run dmc.

[Asher Angel]

Yeah.

[Tom Schwartz]

And Aerosmith. Walk this Way. I feel like that song did for country and hip hop. What that song, the other song did for, you know, rock and roll and hip hop. That was a word. That was a mouthful. That was a mouthful. I'm sorry for that. But, yeah, the cracked the door open. It cracked the door open for rap. Country hybrids and, like, they're so hot right now. Lil Nas X Came Brown. Jelly Roll.

[Asher Angel]

Love what Jelly Roll's doing, man. Such a big fan.

[Tom Schwartz]

Shaboozi.

[Asher Angel]

Yeah.

[Tom Schwartz]

If we stay here long enough at Saddle Ranch, we are gonna hear Shaboozy.

[Asher Angel]

Oh, 110C. Shaboozy's coming on.

[Tom Schwartz]

Well, if we stay here long enough, we'll sing it.

[Asher Angel]

Do we want to? I think we should. Why don't we just stay Here all night tomorrow.

[Co-host]

Can I ask you a basic bitch question?

[Asher Angel]

Go for it.

[Tom Schwartz]

What's your favorite karaoke song?

[Asher Angel]

That's an easy question to answer, because my go to karaoke song was Hallelujah. Jeff Buckley's version. Like, growing up, it was first song I ever sang, and I'd always, like, sing it for my parents or anywhere that I did karaoke.

[Tom Schwartz]

I just.

[Co-host]

It's a beautiful song.

[Asher Angel]

I have a beautiful rendition of it.

[Tom Schwartz]

I would love to hear that.

[Asher Angel]

You would It.

[Tom Schwartz]

I get a visceral feeling. No, truly, I'm not being. I. I'm moved when I hear that song.

[Asher Angel]

Me too.

[Tom Schwartz]

Like, touch deeply. This will be the first and last time we're serious during this interview.

[Asher Angel]

But actually, first song, I played on guitar, too. Really learned. Yeah. My dad. With my dad, he kind of inspired me to pick up my guitar for the first time.

[Tom Schwartz]

When did you learn how to play?

[Asher Angel]

I was, like, 13, 14.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah.

[Asher Angel]

Yeah.

[Tom Schwartz]

Were you naturally musically inclined?

[Asher Angel]

Of course, yeah. I mean, my family, I, like my mom's side is very into the arts. My uncle was in a band. It was called Surgical Steel. Actually.

[Tom Schwartz]

It's a sick name.

[Asher Angel]

It's this. It was the sickest band ever. He was the sickest guitar player. And, yeah, I think he also inspired me to. To do this as well.

[Tom Schwartz]

So. Music's in your DNA. It's in your blood.

[Asher Angel]

It's in my blood.

[Tom Schwartz]

I love that.

[Asher Angel]

It's a part of me.

[Tom Schwartz]

Listen, I know you're also an actor, by the way. I just watched Shazam this morning. Morning.

[Asher Angel]

Cool.

[Tom Schwartz]

Actually, dude.

[Asher Angel]

Dude. Sick.

[Tom Schwartz]

One and two than. Oh, wow. It's so good.

[Asher Angel]

Thanks, bro.

[Tom Schwartz]

It's so good, man. You've been in the game for so long. What was. Do you remember what your first role ever was? It was. It Jolene.

[Co-host]

Wow.

[Tom Schwartz]

Jessica Ch.

[Asher Angel]

You animal.

[Tom Schwartz]

Wait, it was.

[Asher Angel]

That was my first role ever. First time on set ever, man. And my uncle was the screenwriter for it. The screenplay writer. Yeah. Wow.

[Tom Schwartz]

Do you remember being on set?

[Asher Angel]

There were. I was young. I was, like, 5, 7. I remember a particular memory was when I think we were in, like, this house, and it was like, the first time I saw Jessica Chastain because I played her son. And I remember I was like. The director was telling me to just, like, play with cars on the floor and, like, I had, like, cute little shoes on. But I just remember her walking in. That's kind of like the only thing I remember from that experience. Just, like, being on set with Jessica justain, like, watching her act, I thought was cool. Like, I probably didn't know much that was happening, but like, there's a reason why I was there and I wanted to learn also.

[Tom Schwartz]

You had a hunger, you had a fire in your belly from a young age with music.

[Asher Angel]

Yeah. I was like the kid who'd always want to perform for everyone and entertain and just make people laugh. Like I wanted to, to just make people happy. However, I. I could do that through the art.

[Tom Schwartz]

We. The classroom clown too, a little bit.

[Asher Angel]

I try to be. Yeah, for sure. But I was, I was a good kid. Like, I wasn't. Wasn't too rebellious. Like, I. I was very, I was raised very family oriented.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah. You seem like you very well grounded.

[Asher Angel]

Oh, thanks.

[Tom Schwartz]

And we're not gonna, like, you know, sometimes people will see someone who's been on, like Disney started acting for a young age and they can fall into some of the pitfalls or get like burnout or crash out.

[Asher Angel]

Yeah.

[Tom Schwartz]

You seem very well adjusted. You got a great aura.

[Asher Angel]

I have aura.

[Tom Schwartz]

You got a great feeling your aura, dude.

[Asher Angel]

Thank you. No, wait.

[Tom Schwartz]

Did you ever do like command commercials and print work?

[Asher Angel]

Yes, dude. Oh, my gosh. Yes, I did. I did. I did most of that when I was like, probably like 8 to like 11 in Arizona. I had like, I was signed with regionals. Regionals. And I remember going to like cold stone shoots and pool shoots. It was the best time. Hold.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah.

[Asher Angel]

Let's pray for those people in need. Make sure they're good.

[Tom Schwartz]

Prayers up.

[Asher Angel]

Fair's up.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yes. Do you remember your first commercial?

[Asher Angel]

Yeah, I do. It was a. It was a pool commercial and it was horrible because we were shooting it in the winter and they were putting kids in, you know, freezing pools that they didn't even warm them up.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah.

[Asher Angel]

So we'd be shivering. It'd be like a four hour shoot. And I. Oh, gosh. I still loved it though. Like, I would do it again and again.

[Tom Schwartz]

I moved here to be an actor, but did you actually. Yeah, I did. I, I. Listen, I took classes on a regular basis. I did okay. Like I was. I'm part of the Screen Actors Guild. You didn't see my Coles commercial.

[Asher Angel]

Now I'm gonna look it up after this.

[Tom Schwartz]

You guys haven't seen my Coles commercial. Think pink 2014. Okay? You better Google it.

[Asher Angel]

I'm going to.

[Tom Schwartz]

No, but honestly, I just, I don't know. You're living so many other people's dreams and it's cool. It's cool.

[Asher Angel]

It is really freaking cool.

[Tom Schwartz]

You've been in the game so long. Do you Even think about it. Do you ever. Do you ever take a step back.

[Co-host]

And just like, wow, I've accomplished so.

[Tom Schwartz]

Much in my short life, my career. Do you take a moment? Are you just in it? You're too busy?

[Asher Angel]

I think growing up, it was. It was hard just being so many different work environments. Like, so professional. Like, because I've been in a professional environment since I was, like, 12.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah. Makes you grow up quick.

[Asher Angel]

Makes you grow up quick. Especially like my friends, now that they're older, they're finally just finished finishing college and starting the next chapter of their life. So even having those conversations with them now is so different.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah.

[Asher Angel]

But I love it. Like, I think I struggled with being present for kind of a long time. Like, just being young, being in the industry, like, there's a lot of moving parts and you kind of get lost in the sauce. And I think I did for some time. Like, and now I'm just so present. And there's even times when I'm on set. Like, I recently just filmed a movie in Ottawa for six weeks. Weeks. And I just took a second with my co star and just like, it's kind of crazy. Like, this is our job. You know, Sometimes you forget, like, you're on set all the time. It's like, oh, this is normal. This is work. But, like, I get to make movies for a living. And, like, how fucking cool is that? Especially knowing that there's a thousand other kids lined up waiting to be in the position that I'm in.

[Tom Schwartz]

It's such a luxury and a privilege and an honor.

[Asher Angel]

Yeah.

[Tom Schwartz]

And you do it so well.

[Asher Angel]

Thank you.

[Tom Schwartz]

I don't want to kiss too much.

[Asher Angel]

That's why I never. Well, I'll never take it for granted.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah, I can't. Can we talk Disney for a second?

[Asher Angel]

I don't mind.

[Tom Schwartz]

Is that okay? Can we talk? Andi Mack?

[Asher Angel]

Of course.

[Tom Schwartz]

Do you remember that? Like, well, is it vivid in your mind or is it all a happy blur or just another day on set?

[Asher Angel]

Dude, I remember it like it was yesterday. It was. That was the best experience of my life because it launched my career.

[Tom Schwartz]

You really got your chops, didn't you? I mean, you had your chops, but.

[Asher Angel]

Like, really got my acting chops. Doing three seasons, you know, 50, 36 episodes, you know, shooting four or five months consistently.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah.

[Asher Angel]

Dude, those kids were my. They're my best friends. I mean, we still. Everyone's kind of doing their own thing now. I think. You know how it is. But I always try to check in when I can. But I learned so much.

[Tom Schwartz]

That was my next question. You're still tight with everybody?

[Asher Angel]

Yeah, we try to see them when I can. I try to text and check up on everyone, but we just did a charity fundraiser on Zoom together for the California wildfires, so that was, like, a little reunion respect. Yeah. So it was really fun.

[Tom Schwartz]

You guys tackled, like, some kind of heavy, culturally significant moments on there, like teen pregnancy, panic attacks, gun safety. It had Disney's first ever openly main gay character, Cyrus. Like, that was a big deal back then.

[Asher Angel]

It was a really big deal. I mean, there was no show like Andy Mack, I think Andy mack, really?

[Tom Schwartz]

Oh, TMZ's waving at. They're looking. I think they're looking at you.

[Asher Angel]

Hey, who don't love tmz, baby? Tom.

[Tom Schwartz]

Oh. Oh, my God.

[Asher Angel]

Oh, my God. What's happening?

[Tom Schwartz]

Oh, my God. Wait. TMZ's We.

[Asher Angel]

We so are.

[Tom Schwartz]

I'm with Asher.

[Asher Angel]

I'm with Tom.

[Tom Schwartz]

This is a real celebrity.

[Asher Angel]

This is. This is the real celebrity podcast.

[TMZ Reporter]

I love your podcast.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yes, we are. Hi. Good to see you.

[Asher Angel]

You.

[Tom Schwartz]

TMZ's here.

[Asher Angel]

Huh?

[TMZ Reporter]

Your podcast.

[Tom Schwartz]

Oh, thank you. I appreciate it.

[TMZ Reporter]

New adventures.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yes.

[Asher Angel]

Isn't it amazing?

[TMZ Reporter]

It's amazing. Asher, how. How do you feel about this, man?

[Asher Angel]

I mean, I. I already told him. He was like, oh, you probably don't even want to be here and doing my show. I'm like, tom, I'm the biggest Vanderpump fan, like, my whole family. Like, who doesn't love you, bro? Like, I'm the biggest fan of Tom.

[TMZ Reporter]

You guys are fans of each other. No, literally, like, celebrities are f. Celebrities. That's just, like, the weirdest thing to me.

[Asher Angel]

Yes, it is. Okay.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah. Yeah.

[TMZ Reporter]

I. I think it's the weirdest phenomenon when celebrities are fans of other celebrities. It's like. Like, who's the fan? Who's the celebrity? It just gets so jumbled.

[Tom Schwartz]

Asher's always had something I never did.

[Asher Angel]

And what's that?

[Tom Schwartz]

Talent. Stop.

[Asher Angel]

I don't know if you know, but he's an actor.

[TMZ Reporter]

You sell yourself short, by the way. I. I see you, like, maybe once every six months. It's always an honor, by the way.

[Tom Schwartz]

Thank you. I appreciate it.

[TMZ Reporter]

How are you going to work on his confidence?

[Asher Angel]

He's so. He's very confident. He's just being very humble.

[TMZ Reporter]

Well, you think that he takes that route of, like, I'm gonna be the humble guy? Travis Kelsey called himself the Julia Roberts in the Taylor Swift relationship. Remember that? When Travis Kelsey was like, oh, I'm. I'm the prostitute. Called himself a prostitute. And I was like, that's very humble. But it wasn't.

[Tom Schwartz]

And I'm just a monster behind the scenes. This is all a charade. I have a dark side.

[TMZ Reporter]

You are great, Tom.

[Tom Schwartz]

I can brood.

[Asher Angel]

You can.

[Tom Schwartz]

I have a dark side.

[Asher Angel]

Honestly, everyone loves Tom. I think we sure. This is. Well, this is known. Oh, she said Tom. Aw. Should we hug it out? Come on, team. It's like we're filming our podcast, and we're going to. Yeah, let's go. Should we go say hi?

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah, let's go say hi. Asher, where were we? Thoughts? Feelings? Isn't that a trip? I mean, I know you again. You've been, like, recognizable. You've been a celebrity most of your whole life. Like, isn't it still weird?

[Asher Angel]

It'll always be weird. Yeah, that'll never. It'll never not feel normal. I mean, bro, when someone comes up to me and they still recognize me from Disney Channel, it's still bizarre to me. And I don't. I don't think that's anything you ever get used to.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah.

[Asher Angel]

And if you do get used to it, then I think something, you know, there's a screw loose, probably. I'm not gonna lie.

[Tom Schwartz]

No, yeah, no, you have issues.

[Asher Angel]

No, for real, you have it.

[Tom Schwartz]

What do people most recognize you from? Shazam.

[Asher Angel]

It's kind of both. It's a mixture of everything. Yeah, a lot of it will be Andy Mac. A lot of it will be Shazam. Surprisingly, actually, some of its music all across the board. It's. It's really cool, especially having people come up to you and. And seeing, you know what? Just how my art has affected them, and just seeing what they're drawn to is cool for me.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yes. I mean, you've touched so many people's lives. That sounds very hallmarky, but I mean it. You have, man.

[Asher Angel]

Thank you.

[Tom Schwartz]

Your music's amazing.

[Asher Angel]

Thank you.

[Tom Schwartz]

And you guys, if you don't know you're about to, because I'm gonna play all of it at the end, and I'm not gonna try to do that again right now. Wait, can we talk? Can we talk musical theater just for a second?

[Asher Angel]

What am I gonna say no? What are you asking me? Like I'm gonna say no? Of course.

[Tom Schwartz]

Okay. Those are my roots Again. Again. I'm kind of doing, like, this bootleg Nardwar thing. I got you another present.

[Asher Angel]

Stop with the present.

[Tom Schwartz]

Are you ready?

[Asher Angel]

Please. Pippin.

[Tom Schwartz]

Pippin Vinyl.

[Asher Angel]

Oh, yes. Wait, wait. Why did you specifically pick the Pippin?

[Tom Schwartz]

I heard through the grapevines that you were a fan of the musical and that maybe one day you'd like to play. By the way, I watched the whole thing. Thing in its entirety this morning. You are a shoe in for Pippin. I don't know if you'd still want to play that role.

[Asher Angel]

I definitely would want to play that role.

[Tom Schwartz]

That would be cool.

[Asher Angel]

That's my dream role. If I was to, you know, go on Broadway, that is the show I want to do.

[Tom Schwartz]

I. By the way, I got these at Amoeba Records. You know what that is on Sunset Boulevard? It's iconic. So the fact that I got it on Sunset, it feels like they're imbued with a little more lore.

[Asher Angel]

No, for sure.

[Tom Schwartz]

A little more mystique. Yeah.

[Asher Angel]

You didn't tell me. I didn't know you got these on.

[Tom Schwartz]

Oh, yeah, I got him at Amoeba Records.

[Asher Angel]

Oh, my God. This is incredible. Wow.

[Tom Schwartz]

Wait, why do you love Pippin?

[Asher Angel]

It was the first. I don't know. I went to go see it with my mom in New York. Like, we always used to take, like, these Broadway trips to New York with my entire family just because we loved Broadway. It was like our thing. We'd go and see a bunch of shows for a week. And I saw Pippin and I was kind of still doing, like, I was on the acting, like I was doing the Disney Channel stuff, but I kind of took a step away from theater for a while and my true roots. And I saw Pippin and I was like, wow, I think I want to be up on stage again and do that.

[Tom Schwartz]

It's incredible. Yeah, I, like, I was. I was laughing my ass off, but it was very touching. It had a lot of heart. For people who don't know, it's like a coming of age story about a young man's search for meaning, purpose, and true happiness in life. I wrote this down, but it's funny and it's oddly sexual at times, too. And it's weird in the best possible way, but yeah, man.

[Asher Angel]

And did you. You knew this from previous interview?

[Tom Schwartz]

I did a little sleuthing on the Internet and you did an interview? No, I. I was reading your Reddit interview and someone asked you if you could do one Broadway play, what would it be? And you said pippin. Not to sound like a stalker.

[Asher Angel]

No, I. Dude, I appreciate people, like, actually looking into that stuff. For sure.

[Tom Schwartz]

There's a fine line between stalker and doing research.

[Asher Angel]

You're just doing your job.

[Tom Schwartz]

Just doing my job, man, you're killing it. Wait, do you. Do you Remember your first play?

[Asher Angel]

Yeah. My first show was all over at DST Desert Stages Theaters, my community theater in Arizona. I played a Fagan boy. I totally thought I was the star. Like, I was the Fagan boy. I was like the kid in the back, but then, like, Oliver, you know, the main character be in front, and I would just try and, like, work my way closer to the front.

[Tom Schwartz]

Wait, that's so funny, because I. My first real big theatrical performance, musical was in high school. I did Grease, and I was Eugene the Nerd. And I thought I was the star, too. I never got to realize that potential stardom because I got kicked out for underage drinking.

[Asher Angel]

Oh, Tom.

[Tom Schwartz]

I know. Bad boy. What other plays have you done? Did you ever do Grease?

[Asher Angel]

I didn't do Greece. Grease was one that I really wanted to do. I did the Secret Garden.

[Tom Schwartz]

Nice.

[Asher Angel]

Mary Poppins.

[Tom Schwartz]

Very cool.

[Asher Angel]

Played Michael Banks. That was cool.

[Tom Schwartz]

Wow.

[Asher Angel]

And then eventually I ended up playing Oliver at the symphony, so it was like the first show I ever did was Oliver wasn't the main character. I ended up playing Oliver, you know, like a. A year later at the symphony, which was really cool with a live orchestra. So that was, like, a. The coolest experience I think I've had thus far. Far on that side of things.

[Tom Schwartz]

That must have felt so good.

[Asher Angel]

Oh, my God.

[Tom Schwartz]

Such a young age.

[Asher Angel]

Oh, God, it was unreal.

[Tom Schwartz]

Did you have a laser focus then?

[Asher Angel]

Yes.

[Tom Schwartz]

You did?

[Asher Angel]

Yes.

[Tom Schwartz]

But you still had fun.

[Asher Angel]

Do you still.

[Tom Schwartz]

Do you feel like you kind of had still a pretty normal. Normal is relative. It's all relative. Do you feel like you still kind of had a normal. Normal upbringing?

[Asher Angel]

I think it's all subjective.

[Tom Schwartz]

It's all subjective.

[Asher Angel]

It really is. Like, I had. To me, I had such a normal upbringing. Like, maybe my life's a little different from, you know, the normal kids, like my friends who went to college and, you know, went to high school. Like, I didn't get to experience all that. Like, I didn't have much of that, like, social aspect. Most of it was learning that kind of. From set.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah.

[Asher Angel]

And that was. It's different, you know, it's not the same. But I'm very happy with my upbringing. Like, I wouldn't. I wouldn't change a thing. Like, I think I'm here doing what I'm supposed to be doing for a reason.

[Tom Schwartz]

Man, that's beautiful. Can we just marinate on that for a second?

[Asher Angel]

Yeah, let's do it.

[Tom Schwartz]

Seriously, That's a powerful moment.

[Asher Angel]

Yeah.

[Tom Schwartz]

I'm so proud of you. Can I say that?

[Asher Angel]

Oh, yeah.

[Tom Schwartz]

Of all you've accomplished.

[Asher Angel]

Thank you. I got a lot. A long way to go, man.

[Tom Schwartz]

And I'm sure along the way, even though you, like, people look at you like, wow, this guy's tried and tested. He's the real deal star. But I'm sure you've heard a thousand no's too. At least a few. Not a thousand.

[Asher Angel]

No, a thousand, three or four. Millions of no's. No, I'm serious. No, Like, I don't even. I actually really like that you brought that up. I think that's the hardest thing. Just because, like, people don't really know or see, like, the inside of the business and the rejection, like, that part of it is hard. Like really hard. And some people, like, struggle with it and just can't even, like, move past the rejection and just kind of lose themselves. Almost like, oh, I don't think I could play this character anymore. And then it's like, oh, let me just switch everything up. I don't know.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah, I've seen it play out not a million times, but many times with people I've become close with over the years. It was just too much. Like they just. That sense of rejection kind of let it become their identity. It just like sort of crushed their, their, their confidence and their sense of self and.

[Asher Angel]

Right. Yeah.

[Tom Schwartz]

I've seen the city chew people up.

[Co-host]

And spit them out.

[Asher Angel]

No, for real.

[Tom Schwartz]

But you still love la. How's your relationship overall with la?

[Asher Angel]

I've always tried to stay out of here in the best possible way. Like, I'm. I try to keep my circle very, very small. It is very small. And I think also a part of me also thinks that I wouldn't have turned out the way I did if I was raised here. Like, these were my upbringings. Like, I'm from Arizona. Like, I'm.

[Tom Schwartz]

I like that. You said lost in the sauce earlier. I think it's easy to get lost in the sauce here, especially being young, good looking, successful. Right.

[Asher Angel]

It is easy. No, it is. And like the, the party scene, like, the drinking, like all of that stuff, like, that's not me. I don't. I'm not really into that. Like, I'm just focused on setting up my future.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah. Wow, that's great.

[Asher Angel]

And I feel like that would be a distraction, especially being young in the industry, working here, living here. That completely changes the dynamic of things.

[Tom Schwartz]

You seem like you have great harmony. You seem very well balanced. You do. And I didn't always have that.

[Asher Angel]

It's okay.

[Tom Schwartz]

It took me to the age of maybe like 30, 37. To find the harmony that I'm. That you're exuding.

[Asher Angel]

Well, there's a lot of things I'm still working on.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah, we're all works in progress.

[Asher Angel]

They look put together, but, you know, still things I'm figuring out.

[Co-host]

But.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah, man, you're 22. You've achieved so much. And you know what's really crazy to me? You're just getting started. I know you're just getting started.

[Asher Angel]

And sometimes I forget that, too.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah.

[Asher Angel]

You know, like, people ask me, they'll be like, oh. Like, it's actually crazy. Like, you've been doing this since, like. Like, Ash. Have you really been doing this since you were like, seven? Like six? God, I can't believe I'm 22. Like, I've been doing this my whole life, you know, like, it's 22 years. I mean, basically of my life. But, like, it's wild.

[Co-host]

Yeah, Wild.

[Tom Schwartz]

I have no doubt in my mind.

[Asher Angel]

Like, when I'm 50 or when I'm Clint Eastwood's age, I want to be making movies till I can't. I'm never going to.

[Tom Schwartz]

Directing at 91.

[Asher Angel]

At 91.

[Tom Schwartz]

And that's. You will be, too.

[Asher Angel]

I hope so. I will be.

[Tom Schwartz]

Did you ever watch Inside the Actor Studio?

[Asher Angel]

Yes. Yes.

[Tom Schwartz]

One of my favorite shows ever. I, like, I aspired to be an actor, too, and I've watched every episode, and I have no doubt in my mind if he was still around, that you would have ended up on Inside the Actors Studio. But he's no longer with us, so I thought it'd be kind of fun to do the Questionnaire at the End by Bernard Puvo. It's. James Lipson did this one, but it was Omar. Homage to Bernard. Bernard P's questionnaire at the end of all of his great interviews. So if you're cool with it, and I put a little Detox remix on it, if that's okay. Okay. So here we go. What's your favorite way to just detox and relax lately?

[Asher Angel]

Spending time at home.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah.

[Asher Angel]

My family, my friends. Phoenix. Phoenix in the summer?

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah. Just melting.

[Asher Angel]

Just melting in the 115 degrees. I'd really say my family, like, just being with my loved ones just helps me decompress, relax, detox, all the good stuff.

[Tom Schwartz]

That's beautiful. What's your favorite way to retox? If you had. If you could have one vice the rest of your life, what would it be? And I'm not talking, like, drugs or alcohol. It could be food. What's your vice?

[Asher Angel]

Food Food.

[Tom Schwartz]

Foodie. Wait, we haven't even ordered. Thing. We haven't ordered.

[Asher Angel]

Wait, do we forget about. No, it's a TMZ thing that has got us all food distracted.

[Tom Schwartz]

And food for me, too. All day.

[Asher Angel]

That's an easy answer, right?

[Tom Schwartz]

Can I. Well, we already talked about this first job. Did you. Were you. Did you ever have any sort of real job? No. Again, that's subjective. Yeah, yeah, but, like, I'm talking, like, tradition. You never worked in a bar or restaurant?

[Asher Angel]

No, never.

[Tom Schwartz]

You never.

[Asher Angel]

You never had my lemonade stands and working for my dad or, you know, five bucks around the house. I mean, that was my work.

[Tom Schwartz]

Are never going to end up on Vanderpump Rules.

[Asher Angel]

I would have loved to. Are you kidding me?

[Tom Schwartz]

In a parallel universe.

[Asher Angel]

In a different parallel universe, I am totally on it.

[Tom Schwartz]

I just did a song with Nelly, and you just wrapped 11 seasons of Vanderpump Rules. Can I at least you.

[Asher Angel]

Tom and I would be best friends. You know what I mean? We did the trio, man.

[Tom Schwartz]

Can I ask you. Well, what was your worst job?

[Asher Angel]

My worst job?

[Tom Schwartz]

I don't want you to have to.

[Asher Angel]

Put anybody on set. No, I won't.

[Tom Schwartz]

We don't have to answer that one.

[Asher Angel]

It's just hard because, of course, I've done a few indies where, you know, things are all over the place. But I think that it. What's so cool about that is you're gonna walk on a set and, like, there's gonna be really uncomfortable environments where it just. It's not normal, you know, it doesn't feel normal. It's like work, work, and you go home. It's like no one. You know, it could be a bad director. It could be a difficult producer. So you're gonna have to deal with stuff like that all the time. And I just always just try to show up, be prepared, do my part, go home every day. Whether, you know, it's a difficult set to work on or an easy set to work on. Like, I'm always gonna show up and do my job, but I like that.

[Tom Schwartz]

You know what quotes popping into my head right now. There's no small roles, only small.

[Co-host]

Actors.

[Asher Angel]

That's only small roles.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah, right. It's like, no matter what. What the budget for the movie, you treat it like you're doing Scorsese 1000% right.

[Asher Angel]

Doesn't matter the budget. It could be the smallest budget, but we're going to treat it like it's something special. It's art.

[Tom Schwartz]

I love that. On that note, what turns you on creatively? Spiritually, emotionally, gets you jazzed about life can be.

[Co-host]

Lately.

[Tom Schwartz]

It can be at Saddle Ranch if you want to.

[Asher Angel]

With Tom, it's settlement. My brother, my buddy.

[Tom Schwartz]

But it sounds like you just have such a great passion for what you do. That's what just constantly keeps you going.

[Asher Angel]

And I think a lot of people lose sight of that sometimes, and that's normal.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah.

[Asher Angel]

It's okay to lose sight of things that you're passionate about, but as long as you're able to. To get back to that place where you know you can do it.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah.

[Asher Angel]

You know, you can find that passion again. You can dig for it. You can, you know, but it's hard.

[Tom Schwartz]

People go through that, get burnt out.

[Asher Angel]

You get crashed, you get burnt out. Like, I remember I was on that Disney Channel show for three plus seasons playing the same character, and at certain times, I'd kind of get burned out. I'm like, I want to do something different, but at the same time, that's. I want to do something different, but that's not me degrading, you know, the project or anything. It's just like, I want to branch out and try something new.

[Tom Schwartz]

Totally. I mean, if you. If you talk to, like, some of the Friends cast, like, season nine, they're all making, I don't know, a million dollars an episode, but behind closed doors are like, shit's killing me. Yeah. Some of them, they would only confide in their, you know, their colleagues and stuff.

[Asher Angel]

Right.

[Tom Schwartz]

Because you don't want to seem like an out of touch, bitching about getting to work, your dream job. But anyways, what. What turns you off? And that has no sexual connotation. What turns you off?

[Asher Angel]

I think negative energy.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah.

[Asher Angel]

Negative people. Like, I. I always try to keep them as far away from me as possible.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah. Yo, what's up?

[Asher Angel]

No, we're chilling. Oh, cool.

[Co-host]

What are you guys.

[Tom Schwartz]

What are you guys doing?

[Asher Angel]

We were driving by.

[Tom Schwartz]

We saw you guys.

[Asher Angel]

Like, why does everybody have headphones on? Oh, headphones. Oh, dude, we're.

[Tom Schwartz]

We're. This is how we communicate.

[Asher Angel]

Yeah, we're kind of.

[Tom Schwartz]

We're doing a podcast.

[Asher Angel]

We're doing a podcast. Y' all want to say what's up?

[Tom Schwartz]

You guys want to say what's up with that?

[Asher Angel]

That tour bus. The tour bus. Tmz.

[Tom Schwartz]

It's us.

[Asher Angel]

I don't know.

[Tom Schwartz]

They just.

[Asher Angel]

You guys had nothing to do with that? No, bro.

[Tom Schwartz]

What's up, guys? Want to say what's up?

[Asher Angel]

Yeah, say what's up?

[Tom Schwartz]

What's up, guys?

[Asher Angel]

We're from Selenas. We're from sick. No way. Yo, what up?

[Tom Schwartz]

We just decided to come here for the day.

[Asher Angel]

That's dope.

[Tom Schwartz]

We just. Oh, we decided to come here for the day, and we just wanted to ask, wait, is Sunset Boulevard still cool to you? Yeah. I mean, I've never been here before, so it's amazing. Nice to meet you guys.

[Asher Angel]

Yo, it's a pleasure to meet you guys. Nice to meet you. Yeah.

[Tom Schwartz]

I was curious about what the younger generation thinks about it.

[Asher Angel]

Yeah, we just got an answer.

[Tom Schwartz]

I think it still has its mystique. Okay.

[Asher Angel]

All right.

[Tom Schwartz]

What's your favorite curse word? Let it out.

[Asher Angel]

Probably shake shit. I say shit a lot.

[Tom Schwartz]

Shit's versatile. It's iconic.

[Asher Angel]

Yeah.

[Tom Schwartz]

Never gets old.

[Asher Angel]

I'm more like, Yeah, I use fuck a lot and shit sometimes, but I try not to like it. Sometimes it just comes out like, you know, I don't know, like, you're with. It's like when I'm around the house, be like. And I said, I'm 22 years old. Mom's like, what'd you say? Dad's like, watch your mouth. I'm like, yeah, you're right. There's no need.

[Tom Schwartz]

Can I make a confession?

[Asher Angel]

Sure.

[Tom Schwartz]

When the TMZ bus pulled up in my head, I said, even though I'm grateful for that experience, that I love tmz. I said a curse word in my head.

[Asher Angel]

Yeah, it was a little bit. Yeah. I was like, fuck, what's gonna happen on that note?

[Tom Schwartz]

What's that? What sound or noise relaxes you?

[Asher Angel]

She sends me, like, really good, like, high frequency, like, sounds that help me, like, decompress. So I do that really, before I go to bed, usually. And helps me sleep.

[Tom Schwartz]

Sleep. Yeah.

[Asher Angel]

Because I'm not, like, the best sleeper. I'm a night owl, and it's just hard for me to fall asleep. It takes extremely long. And I've had. I've actually been struggling with that for a really long time. And so I've been just listening to these really different high frequencies, and they've been helping me. So I get them all, them all from Kylie, who's amazing. That's her field. That's her world.

[Tom Schwartz]

Shout out to Kylie.

[Asher Angel]

Love you. Love you. I love you both, Kylie.

[Tom Schwartz]

We could do a whole episode on healing frequencies.

[Asher Angel]

Oh, my gosh. I'm totally there.

[Tom Schwartz]

Okay.

[Asher Angel]

I'm here because I'm here for it.

[Tom Schwartz]

I fuck with them, too. I don't know. I don't know.

[Asher Angel]

Yeah. He's like, I can't hear you.

[Tom Schwartz]

Oh. Oh, yeah, yeah. Oh, yeah. Never mind. You can't hear me. We'll come back to that.

[Asher Angel]

Okay. I do want to sit and observe that conversation, though. Yeah.

[Tom Schwartz]

Okay. What sound or noise do you hate?

[Asher Angel]

What sound or noise do I hate?

[Tom Schwartz]

People being negative.

[Asher Angel]

Starting to figure me out. You know, I would say something like that. Dude, when people sneeze, it just. It's my. It's my biggest pet peeve. When they don't. They sneeze and they don't cover their mouth. It's like when you go through the airports. It's foul.

[Tom Schwartz]

My dad sneezes in spurts of 10.

[Asher Angel]

That's gross.

[Tom Schwartz]

Your worst nightmare. And each one is progressively louder.

[Asher Angel]

I will say one more thing, too. Other. Other noises I don't like is when I'm sitting next to my father in the movie theater and he's chooses popcorn very, very, very loudly, and he doesn't care. And so every time I go to a movie with him and I sit next to him, everyone in the audience is just staring at him. It's horrible.

[Tom Schwartz]

What do they call that? Misophonia. I think they do.

[Asher Angel]

Misophonic.

[Tom Schwartz]

Just like. Yeah. Just. Just. Anyways, it's like nails on a chalkboard to some people eating.

[Asher Angel]

I see.

[Tom Schwartz]

Listening to some people eat, it's not.

[Asher Angel]

It. Sorry, dad. Love.

[Tom Schwartz]

Okay, I got a good one. What profession other than. Than your own, would you like to attempt?

[Asher Angel]

I'm a sports fanatic. Like, I love sports, so probably basketball. I probably need a couple more inches, but, like, you know, I could probably be a good point guard, but.

[Tom Schwartz]

Point guard? Phoenix Suns.

[Asher Angel]

Yeah.

[Tom Schwartz]

Wow.

[Asher Angel]

Yeah, probably sports. Or maybe golf. Honestly, low impact. Yeah. Yeah, I could be a golfer, but maybe in another life, I'd maybe want to follow what my dad does. That'd be cool. He's in real estate, so.

[Co-host]

Very cool.

[Tom Schwartz]

What profession other than your own would you not like to attempt?

[Asher Angel]

Being a comedian. So challenging. So hard. So much material. That would just be the hardest job. It's one man for himself. Up there on that stage here, you might hear some crickets. You know, it's gonna suck at times. You're not always gonna be funny. Like, okay, you're a funny guy, but there's gonna be some misses. It's just about it. I just think that would be extremely difficult to do.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah.

[Asher Angel]

And to be a politician, of course. That'd be hard. No, that is not for me either.

[Tom Schwartz]

They're neck and neck.

[Asher Angel]

Yeah.

[Tom Schwartz]

All right.

[Co-host]

Lastly.

[Tom Schwartz]

Well, I don't want this to end.

[Asher Angel]

I don't. I don't either.

[Tom Schwartz]

Lastly. If heaven exists, And I like to think it does. What would you like to see as your first meal and drink waiting for you at the Pearly Gates?

[Co-host]

Ooh.

[Asher Angel]

Oh, man. For me, it'd be an In N Out cheeseburger. I always envision it, though. Like, you know, gold gates, gold roads, walking down the roads, entering the restaurant, and the first thing I'm eating is a cheeseburger. It's an In N Out cheeseburger. It's actually. It's a triple. Triple.

[Tom Schwartz]

How do you get it? Grilled onions, special sauce.

[Asher Angel]

Yeah. Thousand island sauce.

[Tom Schwartz]

Animal fries.

[Asher Angel]

Animal fries, Duh.

[Co-host]

I've never had animal fries.

[Asher Angel]

Actually. I actually never got animal fries at in and out until not too far. Not too long ago. I think it was like four months ago because my friends were eating and I was like, I've actually never really like. It looks good, but I just. I'll eat the burger and I'm full. Yeah, but they're amazing.

[Tom Schwartz]

Solid.

[Asher Angel]

Solid. I think that's actually why people also go to in and out for the animal fries. So not just the burgers?

[Tom Schwartz]

No, no, no. I have friends that go solely for the animal fries. Wait, I was thinking maybe we could go in now and ride the mechanical bull.

[Asher Angel]

Are you down?

[Tom Schwartz]

I'm so down.

[Asher Angel]

Are you actually to get on, though?

[Tom Schwartz]

I'll do it.

[Asher Angel]

I'm going to tell your podcast you can't. Okay, fine. I will assure you.

[Tom Schwartz]

Your manager will be so mad at me.

[Asher Angel]

Probably. Shout out. Steph, we love you.

[Tom Schwartz]

All right, bro. I really appreciate this, truly. Thank you for taking time out of your day. You guys, this is a vibe.

[Asher Angel]

It's a vibe. Thanks for having me.

[Tom Schwartz]

Wrap it up. It was pretty short, pretty sweet.

[Asher Angel]

Yeah.

[Tom Schwartz]

And serendipitous. I, man, appreciate you.

[Asher Angel]

Appreciate you. Thanks for having me on so, so much.

[Co-host]

Well, what do you guys think? Is the dream still alive? Asher, you gave me hope. It is still alive. And I think Sunset Boulevard, no matter what happens, will keep on keeping on. It'll live on. Even if it's literally overshadowed by luxury high rises, boutique hotels, the Sunset Boulevard still has some magic. You can still spot celebs. Maybe you'll see DiCaprio at the chateau. On any given night of the week, the idea of old school Hollywood cool is still preserved there, maybe better than anywhere in la. It's almost like. It's almost like a last bastion for the boulevard of dreams. I'm hoping it doesn't turn into the boulevard of broken dreams. I know for some it already is. Yeah, it's like a little oasis of Old school Hollywood cool up there. I really feel the magic still. You know, you can still feel that Tinseltown magic up at the Beverly Hills Hotel, too. That's on Sunset Boulevard. You guys stayed there. Hell, you can even stay in Marilyn Monroe's old bungalow.

[Tom Schwartz]

But it's not cheap.

[Co-host]

It'll cost you about $7,000 a night.

[Asher Angel]

Man.

[Co-host]

Maybe that's the perfect microcosm for the Sunset Strip. Me, I'd rather opt for a double whiskey on the rocks at the Rainbow Room. It's dark, dingy in the best possible way, haunted by old school rock and roll heroes, hopefully sitting in Ozzy Osbourne's back booth, soaking up his spirit. Hell, maybe even going off the rails a little bit on a crazy train. I think the dream is still alive. It's just different now. Asher, you've given me hope again. So nice chatting with you. Shout out to Nita from tmz.

[Tom Schwartz]

That was really fun. Laughed my ass off.

[Co-host]

And yeah, thank you, Saddle Ranch, for still pouring strong drinks, letting people ride your mechanical bull. Your door is still open, even with all the bullshit. But yeah, man. Asher, Angel. I'll leave you with his new song. Check it out. Make sure to follow him.

[Tom Schwartz]

He's going places.

[Co-host]

He's the real deal. His new song with Nelly Rodeo. Thank you, guys.

[Asher Angel]

Spinning my head like a rodeo.

[Tom Schwartz]

Detoxification complete.