Vault: American Idol- Ace Young

Summary

The Bert Show – Vault: American Idol – Ace Young

Episode Date: August 11, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode of The Bert Show features a playful and revealing interview with former American Idol contestant Ace Young, recorded live during the finale week in Los Angeles. The cast—led by Bert and Wendy—dives into everything from American Idol predictions, the nature of voting, and backstage Broadway stories to the unmistakable chemistry between Ace and Wendy. The conversation is laced with humor, flirtation, and candid reflections on the entertainment industry.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Scene: American Idol Finale Live

• The Bert Show is on location in LA covering the American Idol finale, surrounded by past Idol contestants.
• Bert jokes about the sexual tension between Wendy and Ace Young, setting a flirtatious tone.
  [00:22]

2. On Stage Chemistry and Broadway Backstory

• Wendy reflects on her previous chat with Diana DeGarmo, noting that she and Ace are both starring in the Broadway production of Hair, which features nude scenes.
  [00:51]
• The group teases Wendy about her chemistry with Ace and her boldness in giving him her number.
  [01:15]

3. Ace Young on American Idol Voting and Contestant Qualities

• When asked if voting really matters, Ace delivers a humorous but earnest response:
  Ace Young:

  "I think selling lunch boxes in the south matters. I think selling toothpaste matters. American Idol, how to learn how to sing DVDs matters... But, you know, voting definitely tells you where the people are."
  [02:08]

• The cast discusses the humility of the final contestants (Crystal and Lee) compared to previous years (e.g., Adam Lambert’s larger-than-life personality).
  [02:53]

4. The Flirt Fest: Ace & Wendy’s Banter

• Playful dialogue escalates as Ace and Wendy exchange quips about rehearsals, drinks, and on-stage (and perhaps off-stage) chemistry.
• Wendy:

  "There's a rehearsal space called my hotel room right upstairs."
  [03:46]

• Ace Young:

  "You look good right now. I don't need a drink."
  [04:45]

• The cast jokes about feeling like they're "eavesdropping" on a private moment.
  [04:50]

5. Performing Nude in Broadway’s Hair

• Ace shares his experience preparing for and performing in Hair, including the challenges and significance of getting naked on stage.
• He recounts how performing as Berger was personally meaningful due to his uncle’s Vietnam experience: Ace Young:

  "The storyline between Sheila Berger and Claude... touches a note for me because my uncle went to Vietnam... I went to Vietnam six months ago and did a documentary with one of my friends so I could understand my uncle."
  [05:16]

• The audition for the role came only months after this personal journey, leading Ace to reflect on the serendipity:

  "It’s like meant to be."
  [06:15]

6. Expanding Horizons: Ace the Entrepreneur

• Ace discusses starting a record label with his brother, with acts performing well in Canada and London.
• He highlights the differences between music distribution in the US and abroad, and his passion for new challenges like Broadway:
  Ace Young:

  "Broadway, it’s just another challenge. Like, I look at it like a sport."
  [06:42]

7. Closing Flirtation & Future Plans

• Persistent joking around Wendy and Ace’s chemistry continues, with Bert and others egging them on.
• Wendy:

  "I'm a sexual fiend."
  [08:50]

• Ace invites everyone out to New York to see Hair or "come party," highlighting his enjoyment of live performance.
  [08:35]

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Bert (to Wendy):

  "Not only our boss, he's our pimp."
  [01:46]

• Ace Young (on stage nudity):

  "If I'm coming out, I'm coming out full flag. Like, I'm going to be ready to roll."
  [05:21]

• Ace Young (about Wendy):

  "Wendy's smoking."
  [04:26]

• Wendy:

  "The most I've gotten hit on in a long time."
  [05:04]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:22 – Introduction to the American Idol finale vibe and guest context
• 01:15 – Wendy recounts giving her number to Ace Young
• 02:02–02:21 – Ace Young on the real impact of voting and Idol merchandising
• 02:53–03:12 – Discussion of Lee and Crystal's humility vs. Adam Lambert
• 03:34–04:45 – Flirty exchange, Broadway nudity, and "rehearsal"
• 05:16–06:18 – Ace’s personal connection to Hair and Vietnam
• 06:42–07:22 – Ace talks about launching a record label and business interests
• 07:41–08:50 – More playful banter, closing invites to Hair & New York nightlife

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Tone & Style

The entire segment maintains The Bert Show’s trademark authenticity: candid, teasing, and self-aware. The hosts and Ace aren’t shy about personal questions or double entendres, creating a lively, entertaining atmosphere. For listeners, this episode offers behind-the-scenes insights into the life of an Idol alum, the thrill and vulnerability of Broadway, and plenty of laugh-out-loud flirtation between Ace and his interviewers.

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This summary captures the humor, candor, and contagious energy of the episode—offering both Idol fans and newcomers a fun backstage pass to the world of live entertainment, Broadway, and bold radio chemistry.

Transcript

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[Burt]

You're on the Burt Show, Q100 and the Burt show in LA for the finale of American Idol. And we've been telling you guys for the last couple of that, FOX has been parading all of the past Idol contestants in front of us, and we've been talking to a whole bunch of them. Some of them make them on the air, some of them don't. However, from time to time, something so special happens. It can't be. It can't be ignored. And there was a sexual chemistry between Wendy and Ace Young that cannot be denied.

[Wendy]

That's right. Well, and before we preface this conversation with Ace Young, we did just talk to Diana DeGarmo, who in a Broadway play with Ace in which they have to get naked. So that's just the preface. And that's where we came off. Came. Just the fact that they are in Hair on Broadway has nothing to do

[Burt]

with what you and Ace have here in la. Bert Rose chemistry, digging some Wendy.

[Wendy]

Yes.

[Burt]

And she didn't need any help. She was doing just fine by herself. And I'll just tell you after this that I told Wendy that I would not do another interview until she gave her phone number to Ace Young. She went right over there, scribbled it down. He put it in his pants. Now, I don't want to the phone number. I don't want to be a buzzkill or anything, but didn't like Ace Young's cousin end up calling you last night to go out. Bert, the brother and I are like this, so I'm gonna set it up. You are definitely having sex with one of the Young brothers.

[Wendy]

Not only our boss, he's our pimp.

[Burt]

Wendy and Ace Young, are you gonna vote? I have never once. Do you think.

[Ace Young]

Do you think voting even matters?

[Burt]

Honestly?

[Visory Health Announcer]

Yeah.

[Burt]

It's a better answer if you answer.

[Ace Young]

Well, then ask me.

[Burt]

Okay. Do you think voting even matters?

[Ace Young]

I truthfully don't know.

[Burt]

You baited me in and didn't give me any answer.

[Ace Young]

You know what I think? I think that selling. I think selling lunch boxes in the south matters. I think selling toothpaste matters. American Idol, how to learn how to sing DVDs matters.

[Burt]

Yep.

[Ace Young]

But, you know, voting definitely tells you where the people are.

[Burt]

See, that's What? I really think that Lee. Lee's gonna win tonight. I think because of that whole packaging thing.

[Ace Young]

It's gonna be weird. Lee's the one that has the ability to still kind of surprise me because I don't know what to expect from him. But this is the first time they're singing in front of 6,000 people, so they could. I mean, they could ball choke. You'd have no idea what's going to happen.

[Unidentified Guest]

They're both such humble contestants.

[Ace Young]

Yeah.

[Unidentified Guest]

You know, like, last year, we had Adam Lambert, who was, like, you know, I think far on the spectrum from humble. Like, he was already this big personality. You know what I mean?

[Ace Young]

He's like flame and everything.

[Wendy]

Exactly.

[Unidentified Guest]

He had all this confidence, and then you had sort of like the, you know, the more humble guy. And so they sort of were the opposites of each other this time. I think Crystal and Lee are both very humble and very grounded and sort of almost subdued.

[Ace Young]

I totally agree. And I like that it's a girl and a guy.

[Wendy]

I agree with that.

[Ace Young]

Because it makes the music better. Like, literally, we're not gonna hear the same type of song. We're not gonna hear the same register vocally. We're gonna hear different things. We're gonna be like, oh, damn. I didn't expect that. Oh, that was nice. That was good. I didn't expect that. So I'm excited as far as just a viewer. I'm excited just to see the songs they have up their sleeve.

[Burt]

Diana de Garmo is just telling us that you guys are getting naked on stage with each other.

[Wendy]

Yeah. How's that going?

[Ace Young]

Yeah, awesome. Do you want to come do the show with me?

[Wendy]

I mean, I would love to. Yeah, let's make that happen. I mean, we can go rehearse for the show right now.

[Ace Young]

We should. I don't even know why we're doing the interview. We don't have to stay.

[Wendy]

We don't want to block. We want to be blocked. I mean, there's a rehearsal space called my hotel room right upstairs.

[Ace Young]

But we could make a video, and we could post it online. See, I told you you were the one that made it dirty.

[Unidentified Guest]

I said she was the one.

[Wendy]

I did not even start this conversation.

[Burt]

You right now are giving him.

[Wendy]

Huh?

[Burt]

That we've been taught.

[Wendy]

No, I did not get that. You asked the initial question.

[Ace Young]

That's why you're sitting in between us.

[Unidentified Guest]

Oh, this is our rehearsal space next to Wendy.

[Burt]

Let's go.

[Wendy]

Well. Well, now I'm nervous.

[Ace Young]

Rubber leg while we're talking.

[Wendy]

Well, now I'm NER now I'm nervous.

[Ace Young]

You're nervous. So yes. Diana de Garmo.

[Burt]

Forget about that for a second. You're vibing on Wendy, right?

[Ace Young]

I am vibing.

[Wendy]

Yeah.

[Ace Young]

Well, Wendy's smoking.

[Burt]

Well, how about like, Evan, what about a drink or something after the show tonight?

[Wendy]

Let's grab a drink.

[Ace Young]

What kind of drink?

[Wendy]

Vodka.

[Ace Young]

You going to drop something in my drink?

[Wendy]

You never know. I've always got tricks up my sleeve. No, I don't need to drop anything in your drink. You just have to have just one.

[Ace Young]

Just one.

[Wendy]

Just one. You don't need any more than that.

[Ace Young]

You look good right now. I don't need a drink.

[Wendy]

See? Oh, perfect. Let's just go. Grab me and we don't woo.

[Unidentified Guest]

I feel like I'm like, es dropping on something I shouldn't be or something.

[Wendy]

Turn the channel. We're good. We're good.

[Ace Young]

No, it's, it's.

[Wendy]

I'm getting all hot and bothered. Vegas is probably like a tomato right now.

[Burt]

You need to come.

[Ace Young]

Mine's always a tomato. I'm always rosy.

[Wendy]

Oh, okay.

[Ace Young]

You're just making it pop.

[Wendy]

Oh, God bless. The most I've gotten hit on in a long time.

[Burt]

Make this happen.

[Ace Young]

I know hair on Broadway is ridiculous, and it was the first time I. I never thought I'd be naked on stage.

[Burt]

Yeah, man, ever. I mean, tell us about that.

[Ace Young]

You.

[Burt]

First of all, you must have said, keep it like 85 degrees in here.

[Ace Young]

I want to get fluffer. I want somebody to sit there and warm me up. I was like, I'm coming out. If I'm coming out, I'm coming out full flag. Like, I'm going to be ready to roll. Girls don't understand what it's like to be a guy. But no, man, it was. It was unbelievable. We have 1500 people there every. Every show and the show incredible. So the story is so beautiful. Like the storyline between Sheila Berger and Claude. It's so beautiful. And it's so. It's. It touches a note for me because my uncle went to Vietnam. Like, I went to Vietnam six months ago and did a documentary with one of my friends so I could understand my uncle.

[Burt]

Oh, wow.

[Ace Young]

I did private tours of like, Ho Chi Minh tunnels. I couldn't even fit in the damn things. Like, I was too big, went to Hanoi and I just went through just to understand it. And. And when I came back, he and I had some of the craziest stories ever. And I finally understand everything that he went through. And I understand the way his Brain works. Two months later, I get offered the the audition for Burger.

[Unidentified Guest]

Wow.

[Burt]

It's like meant to be.

[Ace Young]

Just lined up.

[Burt]

Yeah.

[Ace Young]

And the story is so beautiful. The first time I saw the show, I knew I was getting naked because it's done so nicely and it's so such a part of the show. And I'm the leader of the damn tribe. So if I'm like running off and covering up, it doesn't work. If everybody's free and we're free in our skin, I got to be the leader. So literally, like Diana and I, we both just, we work it out. Wow.

[Unidentified Guest]

So did you always think you would do Broadway? Is that something you wanted to do?

[Ace Young]

I'm a business guy. Like, literally my business side, since I've been in la, I just created a record label with my brother. We have three acts that are killing it in Canada and London and we've been pushing there. We just got financing. They start coming to the States now. And the States is so different, like as far as the way that music is actually distributed. So we just finally got the support so we can do it right. And I literally have a full on recording studio in la, Sweden, and another one in New York. And that's like my brain's business. I love business. So to do Broadway, it's just like, it's just another challenge. Like I look at it like a sport, like playing football. It's like, okay, I saw this other guy do it. I'm gonna do it better.

[Burt]

Okay.

[Ace Young]

And I'm gonna make my stamp and I'm gonna make sure that everybody comes and sees the show is really falling into it. When they look at me, they don't see me. You know, I love, I love acting because I get to really fall into it. And this, this character is so far from how you know me, right? Like it is me, but it's so far from how everybody knows me.

[Burt]

It's not so far from how Wendy wants to see you.

[Ace Young]

Oh, we're gonna work that out.

[Wendy]

How we'll get to know each other a little bit.

[Ace Young]

She's gonna come and see the show and just get naked on stage. I thought it was like a beautiful moment. Why are they, why are corner of the stage?

[Burt]

Why don't we just construct a stage in the hotel?

[Ace Young]

I'm down for that.

[Wendy]

Okay.

[Ace Young]

I'm down.

[Burt]

Just trying to help you out.

[Ace Young]

I'm down.

[Wendy]

She don't need help. Honey. I, I think it's going to happen.

[Ace Young]

See, see now, last year, last year I was in a situation. Now I'M free from it, so I'm actually able to do whatever.

[Burt]

Well, I got news for you. In a situation right now.

[Wendy]

That's right.

[Ace Young]

This is good for me.

[Unidentified Guest]

Different kind of situation.

[Ace Young]

Where's the cameraman?

[Wendy]

We don't need any camera. You don't want that on YouTube. You don't want that getting out there.

[Ace Young]

I'm surprised. We actually, we. We have amazing security during the show, and I'm surprised there hasn't been naked shots of us on stage.

[Burt]

Yeah.

[Ace Young]

Because literally, like, they're on it. The moment. The moment that the scenes are starting to happen, all the ushers are coming up and down the aisles.

[Burt]

Yeah, right.

[Ace Young]

They're on it. It's amazing.

[Burt]

Well, congratulations, man.

[Wendy]

That's great.

[Ace Young]

Thank you. I'm having a blast. Like, it's fun. Come out to New York City. Come party. I'll be there all summer.

[Burt]

Okay.

[Wendy]

Come watch. You naked.

[Ace Young]

Yeah, baby.

[Wendy]

Nice.

[Ace Young]

Yeah.

[Unidentified Guest]

You don't need to go to New York for that.

[Ace Young]

She's looking at me like I'm already naked.

[Wendy]

I'm a sexual fiend.

[Burt]

Ver.

[Unidentified Guest]

Love it.

[Burt]

All right, well, thanks for stopping by, man. We appreciate it.

[Ace Young]

Let's have fun tonight.

[Burt]

Yes. Listen, it's the vert show.