Let's Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa
Episode: Lukas Gage: Is On His Way To Erewhon
Date: April 1, 2026
Guest: Lukas Gage
Podcast Host: Kelly Ripa
Overview
In this lively and unfiltered episode, Kelly Ripa welcomes actor and author Lukas Gage for a candid conversation that weaves through Hollywood careers, viral fame, beauty fads, mental health, and finding love in LA (and abroad). With the familiar camaraderie of Kelly’s recurring co-hosts and Gage’s frank, engaging style, the episode is equal parts hilarious, insightful, and unexpectedly moving. The discussion dives into Gage’s breakout moments, his memoir “I Wrote This For Attention,” experiences with mental health, romantic aspirations, and his upcoming projects.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Lukas Gage Joins "Off Camera" (06:05)
- Setting the Scene:
Lukas joins the call from his brand new Mazda, having just finished a microneedling facial — the most “LA day” imaginable.
- “I got a new car delivered to me. I got my face microneedled. I went to the Aloe gym... I'm going to Erewhon right after this.” (07:23, Lukas Gage)
- The group laughs about LA stereotypes, beauty treatments, and living arrangements. Kelly and Lukas swap war stories about starter apartments in NYC and LA (04:42–06:18).
Becoming a Viral Star: The Audition Video (11:37)
- Origin Story:
Kelly recounts discovering Lukas through her daughter: “She brought me this video of you with that guy” — referencing the infamous audition tape where a director mocks Lukas’ apartment, unaware the mic is hot (03:52–12:18).
- Lukas on the Viral Moment:
“I mean, look at these actors... look at how this kid lives... And you are your full self in that video.” (11:58, Kelly Ripa)
Lukas reveals the director was Tristram Shapiro and reflects on the aftermath and conspiracy theories about the clip’s authenticity.
- “It could have gone so bad. It could have really gone another direction. But... a lot of people... thought I was quick. Maybe you can do improv...” (14:42, Lukas Gage)
- The group commiserates about crappy apartments and the sacrifices made for a career in Hollywood.
White Lotus, Intimacy, and the Art of Shocking TV (15:36)
- The best season debate:
“You’re not too close to it to realize that it was the best season of White Lotus, right?” (15:46, Albert Bianchini)
- Lukas on the now-infamous rimming scene:
- Came up with the idea for added shock value: “...I thought I was a genius coming up with it for the first time, but... We have seen rimming on TV. I just wasn’t aware.” (16:29, Lukas Gage)
- About intimacy coordinators:
- “We had... one of the first intimacy coordinators of all time... [they] were jumping in, telling me to not... No, no, we don’t need to do that.” (17:31, Lukas Gage)
- The logistics and boundaries of explicit scenes are candidly discussed (17:55–18:54).
The Audition Hustle & Roles That Got Away (21:28)
- Gage insists he still auditions:
- “I’m doing everything I’ve done since... it’s been an audition still. The ones that you really want, you still have to fight for... make a case for yourself.” (21:41, Lukas Gage)
- On roles that slipped away:
- “Oh, my God. There’s two that are pretty big... one of them is The Pit... and the other is American Honey. I couldn’t watch it for a year or two.” (22:09–22:33, Lukas Gage; 22:38, Kelly Ripa)
Memoir: "I Wrote This For Attention" (22:54)
- Kelly and Jan rave about the book, emphasizing its honesty and humor.
- On sharing deeply personal stories:
- “It’s my own fault... you think it’s so funny... and then you become STD boy and suddenly you’re like, what was I thinking?” (23:16, Lukas Gage)
- Process of writing and fact-checking with loved ones:
- “As a kid, I rewrote my life in my head to survive it and to cope. I’m going off a journal that I’ve had my whole life... half of it is lies.” (24:39, Lukas Gage)
Unpacking Trauma: Wilderness Camp & Mental Health (28:31)
- Lukas describes being “kidnapped” and sent to a wilderness camp as a teen:
- “They wake you up and there are strangers at your door telling you to get your stuff and you’re leaving... parents thought these places were going to help kids.” (28:45, Lukas Gage)
- “I got taken in the middle of the night, sent to this wilderness camp with a bunch of quote unquote troubled kids, and spent a summer, like, in the wilderness doing therapy and building fires...” (29:20, Lukas Gage)
- Diagnosis with Borderline Personality Disorder:
- “I was 26... I had a lot of shame... and then finally... I went to a place for a month and... they gave me that diagnosis.” (35:14–36:37, Lukas Gage)
- The group discusses mental health stigma, medication, and the role of trauma in creativity and resilience:
- “If we’re all more upfront and honest about our... stuff... I think in a lot of ways having that personality disorder has been helpful for me in my career, and it’s been a good thing.” (39:14–40:05, Lukas Gage)
- “How you sit with your own diagnosis is whether it’s your superpower or not.” (40:23, Kelly Ripa)
Love, Dating, and Future Dreams (40:26)
- On Relationships and Dating Apps:
- Kelly fishes for details, floating colleagues as potential suitors; Albert sends in playful qualifying questions for Lukas’ next beau (41:00).
- “Do you like bald men with cats?” (41:08)—“I don’t discriminate. I love cats.” (41:14, Lukas Gage)
- Requirements for a Partner:
- “I have to have someone who’s so comfortable being the rock, so maybe it’s someone not in the industry... who does not get jealous or controlling... who’s fun and likes animals. That’s all I ask for.” (48:51, Lukas Gage)
- On Marriage and Parenthood:
- “...I want to fall in love 20 more times. I will get married five more times. Actually, no, let’s not, let’s not do that... I do want kids. I actually do.” (41:38–42:18, Lukas Gage)
- LA vs. NYC dating:
- “I just find [dating in] New York is easier. I find New York is sexy... in LA, I just feel like... I don’t know how people date in LA.” (43:11–43:31, Lukas Gage)
- Extra points for dating in Spain: “I’m like a six in LA, and Spain I’m like a 12.” (43:52)
Upcoming Projects & Working With Icons (50:22)
- Rosebush Pruning:
- “That’s with Pam Anderson and that divine Riley Keough, right?”
— “Yes. And Elle Fanning. Shallow Turner. And Jamie Bell and Tracy Letts. That’s the one I was telling you about with the... crazy.” (50:24–50:47, Kelly Ripa & Lukas Gage)
- Kelly relays rave reviews from Berlin.
- Pamela Anderson Praise:
- “Truly the nicest, most generous, coolest person. I could not give you more amazing reviews about her... She sends me pickles. She’s got a pickle company.” (51:36–51:57, Lukas Gage)
- Love Language:
- “It’s a fun little rom com... with Chloe Grace Moretz and Billie Lourd, Anthony Ramos... Billie is an improv comedic genius.” (52:40–53:55, Lukas Gage)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On The Viral Audition:
- “I do want a better apartment. Give me the fucking job and I’ll get a better apartment!” (12:18, Kelly Ripa, paraphrasing Lukas’s attitude)
- On Industry Dating:
- “Too many flowers in that garden.” (49:34, Kelly Ripa, on why he and Andy Cohen couldn’t date)
- On LA vs. NYC:
- “LA for me is just like getting Erewhon and micro needles... [New York is] having fun and going on dates.” (42:47, Lukas Gage)
- On Plastic Surgery and Hollywood Honesty:
- “Let’s just be honest. We got plastic surgery, we were on Ozempic. We have a, you know, a personality disorder and had to... go to therapy.” (38:54, Lukas Gage)
- On Diagnosis as Superpower:
- “How you sit with your own diagnosis is whether it’s your superpower or not.” (40:23, Kelly Ripa)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Viral Audition Story: 11:37–15:36
- White Lotus and Intimacy Coordination: 15:36–18:54
- Hollywood Hustle & Missed Roles: 21:28–22:38
- Memoir & Mental Health Discussion: 22:54–25:28, 28:31–40:05
- Dating and Relationship Preferences: 40:26–44:10, 48:51–50:22
- Upcoming Projects (Rosebush Pruning, Love Language): 50:22–53:55
- Pamela Anderson & Pickle Anecdote: 51:36–52:12
Tone & Chemistry
The episode is playful, fast-paced, and unfiltered. Kelly’s curiosity is matched by Lukas’s vulnerability and humor, from exchanging LA/NYC shade to honest discussions about childhood trauma and navigating Hollywood fame with a mental health diagnosis. The warmth between Ripa, Gage, and her co-hosts (especially Albert Bianchini and Jan) creates a feeling of listening in on genuine friends talking “off camera.”
In Summary
This episode offers an unvarnished backstage pass to Lukas Gage’s Hollywood whirlwind and life story: the grit behind viral moments, the reality of mental health in showbiz, intimate observations on dating in different cities (and countries), and lots of laughter and love. The honest reflections on trauma and diagnosis, paired with offhanded showbiz absurdity, make for a riveting listen—whether you’re a fan of Gage, Ripa, or just love sharp talk from insiders who don’t hold back.
Check out Lukas Gage’s memoir “I Wrote This For Attention” and keep an eye out for his films “Rosebush Pruning” and “Love Language.”
