This transcript was automatically generated and might contain errors.

[0:00] Jason A. Coombs: Welcome, Survivors, to Survival Jobs, a podcast. We are your hosts with the mostessess. I'm Jason A. Coombs, and this is my amazing co-host right over here, Sammy Toots. And we are here on Broadway World and on Podbean and on Spotify and on Apple Podcasts and iHeart Radio and everywhere to listen to podcasts. How cool is that, Samantha?

[0:30] Samantha Tuozzolo: Wow, Jason, that was a really good intro. Thank you for the detailed description.

[0:36] Jason A. Coombs: Yes, I wanted to spice it up a little bit.

[0:39] Samantha Tuozzolo: Wow, I loved it. Look at both of us in our gloomy grays. I feel like we're both a little gloomy today.

[0:43] Jason A. Coombs: It is a little gloomy today. It's a little cold today. So I had to wrap up in my little shawl. For those who have the video, that's exclusively on Broadway World.

[0:52] Samantha Tuozzolo: Jason, you're killing it with the details today. I love it.

[0:59] Jason A. Coombs: Kind of give the deets, right? So Jason, tell me your temperature check. I know you're doing something really cool this week. Also, if you want to share.

[1:09] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah, my temperature check. My temperature check is kind of like how I feel today. It's like a little cozy. You know, it's like those days. I'm gonna compare it to weather, right? When you're at home, and it's like a little bit gloomy outside. And it's like a little bit chilly, but you just want to wrap up in a blanket or prayer shawl or whatever you want to use. And you're feeling cozy and cute. A little lethargic, probably. But you know, you're living it. You're living whatever it is that you're living. And you're in the moment and you're taking it beat by beat. That's how I'm feeling. Just taking it beat by beat.

[1:42] Samantha Tuozzolo: I love that. Beat by beat. That's a good motto.

[1:49] Jason A. Coombs: I guess. Yeah. What are you doing this week, Jay?

[1:56] Jason A. Coombs: So I am at an artist residency in Greenwich, Connecticut called Foundation House. And I applied back in the early days of the pandemic when this podcast first started. But then I got COVID and I couldn't go. But fast forward two years later.

[2:08] Samantha Tuozzolo: You remember that?

[2:13] Jason A. Coombs: Yes, I didn't put it together that that was the same thing.

[2:13] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah, yeah. So I'm finally here after two years. And there's seven of us artists. There's three writers. There are two visual artists. There's one musician. And then there's another filmmaker here as well. And we're all here for 10 days. I'm getting to work on projects that we proposed independently. But it's been really cool because, you know, we've all been kind of like talking and connecting. And we have dinner together every night. And we've been doing like movie nights. And, you know, some of us have been—some of them I haven't been doing it—the yoga, like every afternoon. I just been so busy. But it's been a really cool experience. And I'm so grateful for the opportunity. You know, I think we talked about this. And I'll say it again that we talked about wanting to live the artist's life, you know, once the pandemic happened and not going back to like the way things were before. So this is just another step in that. And I'm grateful for it.

[3:07] Samantha Tuozzolo: That sounds amazing. I'm so happy for you. And so proud of you. And they're doing construction in my building. So please forgive like whatever drilling you're hearing right now.

[3:19] Jason A. Coombs: I think we would get a lot out of it, Samantha, if you want to apply.

[3:23] Samantha Tuozzolo: Oh, maybe I will. Yeah, I mean, you get 10 days and like, you know, they feed you to give you a modest stipend while you're here. And you get to meet really cool people. Like one of the girls, one of the women here, excuse me, is, you know, she's a writer, she's a comedy writer. She's done stuff for UCB and whatnot. So we've been connecting. And it's just a really cool, like a good way to network organically, you know?

[3:45] Samantha Tuozzolo: That sounds amazing. Yeah, we'll have to send me over the application.

[3:51] Jason A. Coombs: I will, I will. And what's your temperature check?

[3:54] Samantha Tuozzolo: I'm feeling a little overwhelmed this week. You know, we were chatting a bit before we hit the record button. But I just feel like every week is like crazy between all of the things. You know, I know it's silly to be like social life is overwhelming, but it is sometimes. You know, my big goal this year is to say no to things like it's okay. I'm not attending every birthday and every social gathering. But that's hard for me because I am a bit of a social butterfly. I do take after my mother who listens to everything. Shout out to Dawn. And also big shout out and congratulations to my mom who just retired after so many years of being a florist. So that's fun. Congrats, Dawn. Congrats, Dawny. That's just a little sidebar. So I don't know. I'm feeling overwhelmed. My survival job is overwhelming me.

[4:55] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah. And I'm overwhelmed about my move. My temperature check is overwhelmed.

[5:02] Samantha Tuozzolo: Can I share something with you?

[5:05] Jason A. Coombs: Of course.

[5:05] Samantha Tuozzolo: I was telling you, I was trying to get this quote, and I finally got it. So one of the fellow artists here, her name is Tranview. She's amazing. She's a visual artist and an organizer and all the good things. She was—we were having a discussion the other night about being kind of first-generation immigrants to this country. Her parents were immigrants and whatnot. And just the pressure that is of being an artist. And she shared with me about how sometimes it's okay to be selfish, right? But don't call it selfish. Call it self-full. And then she shared a quote by Angela Davis, because also Black History Month, happy Black History Month. And the quote was, self-preservation is an act of resistance. So I think it kind of ties into how you're feeling, Loray. It's okay to say no. It's okay to not do it all. And it's okay to be self-full for yourself, for your own preservation, Samantha. So take that in, and hopefully that resonates something in you.

[5:58] Samantha Tuozzolo: Thank you. I love you so much.

[6:00] Jason A. Coombs: Of course. I love you so much. Also, happy belated birthday.

[6:05] Samantha Tuozzolo: Thank you. I know. Did you have a good birthday?

[6:09] Jason A. Coombs: I did. Thank you so much. Yeah. It was a weird birthday, because my birthday was the day when that video of Tyree Nichols came out, which was heavy. It was very heavy. And I kept seeing this meme about Black men deserve to grow old. And I was thinking on my birthday about that a lot, because I'm someone who has this—I don't want to say like a rational fear of getting old, but I just don't feel as accomplished as I should be at this age. So I kind of have this mentality thing about getting older, which I'm trying to get over, I'm trying to work through. But just putting things to perspective, seeing that quote and what was going on in the news with the murder of another Black man, it just really resonated with me today on that day.

And I've been really, just really trying to be grateful for every day, and for every birthday, and every hard thing, every challenge, because it's just a tough time in general. And yeah, I wasn't thinking it was going to affect me so much. But I don't know, I'm just grateful to be alive, because so many people who look like me don't get that chance. So that's how I feel.

[7:24] Samantha Tuozzolo: I love you, Jason. And you know what? It's really hard to be an artist and grow older and put that pressure on yourself. And you just said, you put a lot of pressure on yourself that you haven't accomplished as much as you think you should have. But you are so successful, and you work so hard. And I always want to remind you of that, and how grateful I am for you, all of the time, and all of your work, and all of the things you do.

[7:56] Jason A. Coombs: I appreciate that. Thank you.

[7:57] Samantha Tuozzolo: Thank you for being so open with your feelings also.

[8:01] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah.

[8:02] Samantha Tuozzolo: I think it's important. I feel like we have a great following of listeners. And something I love about you and us is that we are just always 100% real.

[8:14] Jason A. Coombs: I think you have to be sometimes. I mean, life is hard, and we can't ignore it. But I was just saying this year, I want to be a little more stress-free. I want to enjoy life, because it's so short. It's so precious. And that's just something I'm trying to take with me. And how can I find a little bit of joy every day, no matter what the circumstances may be?

[8:40] Samantha Tuozzolo: So, everybody, listen to that. And let's find joy every day, no matter the circumstances.

[8:48] Jason A. Coombs: I love you, Jason.

[8:49] Samantha Tuozzolo: I love you, too. Should we talk about our boy?

[8:54] Jason A. Coombs: Let's make a transition.

[8:55] Samantha Tuozzolo: Yeah.

[8:56] Jason A. Coombs: So we're so excited, you guys, for this episode, because it's coming out right in time for the one-year anniversary of MJ the Musical. And we got to chat with the amazing Apollo Levine, who plays Joe Jackson in MJ the Musical. And he was great. And he told us a lot of great stories. And Jason, I think you had said something in the interview, like, wow, I love how bold you are. He just was speaking the truth and telling us everything, all of his feelings and keeping it real. So this is a really fun one. And we're just so excited that it's coming out right in time for the one-year anniversary. It's fun when those things happen.

[9:47] Samantha Tuozzolo: When those things line up, right? And yeah, he's fantastic. I think we have a new best friend.

[9:55] Jason A. Coombs: Well, at least I want to be his best friend, which happens a lot on this podcast. Everyone's so inspiring. And so Mr. Energy is so great. So you want to be around that. But do you want to share his bio?

[10:06] Samantha Tuozzolo: Yeah, I would love to. Thank you.

[10:10] Samantha Tuozzolo: Apollo Levine hails from Louisiana. Some of his theater credits include Sister Act, Dream Girls, Ragtime, and originating the role of Chinese Superhero in The Monkey King in Beijing, China. Some of his television credits include Let's Stay Together, Criminal Minds, and The Catch. Apollo is so excited to be making his Broadway debut with MJ the Musical.

[10:37] Jason A. Coombs: Yes. And so I love the story about how he ended up on Broadway because it was very unexpected for him. It's a great one, y'all. It's a great one.

[10:47] Samantha Tuozzolo: It is. Enjoy and go see MJ and support live theater, people.

[10:54] Jason A. Coombs: Yes. And happy Black History Month.

[10:56] Samantha Tuozzolo: Happy Black History Month. I love you, Jason Coombs.

[11:00] Jason A. Coombs: Love you, too. Thank you.

[11:01] Samantha Tuozzolo: Enjoy the episode, y'all.

[11:03] Apollo Levine: Awesome. Welcome to Survival Jobs, the podcast. Apollo, we're so happy to have you today. Thank you for taking the time for us.

[11:10] Apollo Levine: Thank you for having me.

[11:12] Samantha Tuozzolo: Yeah. I was just saying before we started, I love your Marvin behind you and inspiration.

[11:17] Apollo Levine: He's in the room with us.

[11:19] Apollo Levine: Yeah. Marvin is always with me.

[11:22] Samantha Tuozzolo: I love that so much. Jason, you're back. Okay.

[11:25] Jason A. Coombs: Yes. Sorry. We're so happy to have you, Apollo, especially coming up with the one-year anniversary of MJ the Musical.

[11:32] Apollo Levine: It's been crazy, crazy, crazy, crazy. I can't believe that we've actually been on the stage for a year, going into our second year.

[11:43] Jason A. Coombs: Wow. I know. And we're so honored to have you as that anniversary is coming up. And we're going to definitely talk more about that a little bit later.

[11:51] Apollo Levine: Okay.

[11:52] Jason A. Coombs: But while we're all—why we are all here to talk about survival jobs. So can you tell us what you think defines a survival job?

[12:03] Apollo Levine: Anything that allows you to pay the bills. We do a lot of auditioning and a lot of gigging. And in between, you do just about anything, dog walking, babysitting, bartending.

[12:18] Jason A. Coombs: No, that's like babysitting to bartending.

[12:27] Apollo Levine: After you watch the kids, then you go to drink.

[12:29] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah, exactly. Take the dog out and watch the kids. It's a good dream.

[12:34] Apollo Levine: That you can pay the bills and actually kind of put monetarily back into your craft.

[12:43] Jason A. Coombs: That's a great answer. There's no right or wrong. We just always like to get different perspectives.

[12:48] Apollo Levine: Oh, yeah. I feel like everyone answers that question so differently and has their own thoughts about, you know, we've all done a survival job. So I feel like it means something different to so many people. So thank you.

[13:01] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah. Do you have a favorite that you've had in your past?

[13:09] Apollo Levine: I used to work at a candy shop.

[13:10] Jason A. Coombs: Is that favorite survival job real?

[13:14] Apollo Levine: Oh, there was one. I used to work at a candy shop when I lived in Atlanta.

[13:19] Jason A. Coombs: What?

[13:20] Apollo Levine: Yeah. And it got to the point where we were about to try to shoot a reality show around the candy shop because it was a singing candy shop. We made fudge live. It's in Atlantic Station. If you go to Atlantic Station, there's a place called Kilwins down there. And the manager or the guy that owned it made this whole thing where like every hour on the hour, like especially on like a Saturday, Sunday, we made like a candy choir. And so we would sing. We would make all the songs around like the fudge and the candy in the shop. But it would be like to my girl, like.

[14:33] Apollo Levine: Oh my gosh, no, I don't actually yeah I do. Do you remember like I remember changing my girl? He stayed through more window. I remember changing that I just don't remember how we changed it to fudge, but it was it was fudge branded like yeah, I'm sure I'm sure it was a Bob. It was like it was it was funny because there were like 15 of us in the shop and all of a sudden people would be like, well, where are they going there? We would go around the fudge station and like give this whole 15 minutes performance. Oh my gosh, and it's still open. I want to go. Yeah now they don't do the singing like that anymore but the shop every time I go to the shop, it gets bigger and bigger. I'm like, kind of candy. Can you put into this? That's so fun, thank you for sharing that we've never had a candy singer worker as a survivor job before.

[15:33] Jason A. Coombs: Isn't it nice when you can incorporate your passions as well into your survival job?

[15:40] Apollo Levine: Yeah, it was and it was it came out a good time because I moved to Atlanta to be a songwriter. So to sing in a candy choir, I mean, yeah.

[15:54] Jason A. Coombs: So do you have a survival job that was like not as fun maybe like a shocking worst survival job story?

[16:01] Apollo Levine: Oh, I do. This is actually when I moved back to New York this time. I ended up working for like a Verizon, like Verizon internet kind of company and but we have to go door-to-door. Yeah, I lasted like throughout five doors and I did not go back to bed. I'm good. I'll keep my spectrum at the house.

[16:35] Jason A. Coombs: So you were selling like internet like which from one service to the next but it wasn't like that's over the phone. It was literally like me out in Queens in neighborhoods that I don't know like charms like I'm alright on this. I'm good. So it lasted probably for the seven hours of training.

[16:58] Apollo Levine: I love the specificity of five doors.

[17:01] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah, five doors.

[17:07] Apollo Levine: I started raining that day and I was like, oh, yeah, I'm good not out here. No, I would just went to like a coffee shop and sat there for it as I throw the pamphlets away like oh yeah, I'll get back on the train and come home back up to Harlem. I was like, yeah, I'm good. I'm good.

[17:34] Jason A. Coombs: Okay, um, I always feel like some of our listeners who aren't in the Broadway world may not know what it's like to audition for a Broadway show so would you mind sharing your experience from like when you got the audition to where their callbacks or you mind just sharing a little bit about that?

[17:43] Apollo Levine: So here's the deal. I used to live in New York. I moved here in 2014 and by 2016 I had had a like all in like I could care less about New York anymore. I'm done. Screw New York. I sit in the middle of Times Square and I always say that it was one of the most moments because I was like, but I was like, I remember the city that I lived in and like people probably like oh, it's a good normal number Tuesday. But yeah, you know, but I remember like that was on a Thursday. I had just auditioned for a show and I will not name that show and it was my eighth time auditioning and I thought this is gonna be my Broadway show like that to make my Broadway debut in because it's so up my alley. Eight times I had got called into that show and it didn't happen and I was like, I'm done LA.

I called my best friend. I was like today is Thursday my boxes will be on your step on Wednesday, and I will see you next Thursday and that's what happened. I get out to LA speaking of survival jobs. I ended up becoming a personal trainer and bartending at the same time.

[19:06] Apollo Levine: Something about bartending.

[19:10] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah.

[19:11] Apollo Levine: And so I did that I actually stopped like kind of acting and singing for about two years. I just felt like the universe was telling me chill out you've been doing it a while you're frustrated and everything else so just chill out and one morning I woke up and I was like, hey, I think this is it and within a week I had booked Dreamgirls out in LA. And from there, I ended up picking up a manager and I told her I was like, hey, I know you saw me in the show. I do not want to do another theater show. I've done New York. I just I've always wanted to play Curtis in Dreamgirls. So here it is that that was the only reason I took this job. Yes, I just want to focus on TV and film. The first thing she sends me in for is this show that's called like don't stop till you get enough and it's a Michael J. I'm like, this is stupid like this is not a real thing even if they're coming out here to audition, they have a I have a million friends in New York that please so I go ahead and audition for the casting director and she says hey, can you go back outside?

I want you to wait and I go back out of time like what does she want? She hands me all these sides. She was like, can you do can you come back tomorrow? The whole creative team will be here and learn all the rest of these guys. I'm like woman. I have a show tonight. I remember.

[20:34] Apollo Levine: Show tonight she was like, well, I'll come back. I sing the stuff that they want me to sing and do the sides and all the stuff that they asked me to do they were like they just they just wanted to see what I did the day before so all the rest of the stuff by the time I got done they were like, oh that doesn't matter but then they sent me back out and they were like we're gonna send you with the dance captain to learn the I was like y'all didn't tell me how to dance I am in a flannel shirt with club jeans on, you know club jeans. They're too tight. I'm like with no other change of clothes. So I am in there going for broke sweating and then they say okay cool two days before I'm supposed to go home to see my my parents for Christmas I get this call to say hey everything that you didn't do in the audition room.

Can you put that on tape? And I'm like, okay, another eye roll. I go over my friend's house that lives closest to LAX because I'm supposed to get on like a 545 flight in the morning. We stay up to like two o'clock. We put everything on tape. I send it. I'm I edit it down when I'm on my way to the airport and I remember sending this message saying here's the here's what they asked for. I hope they enjoy it because this is the worst effing audition I've ever done.

[22:10] Jason A. Coombs: Oh my gosh, you're so bold.

[22:13] Apollo Levine: That is what you typed in the email to my manager, yes. That's what I was like a day before Christmas I come back to LA in the new year and like oh like four or five days after the new year I get this phone call from my manager saying hey they're flying you out for the workshops. I'm like what?

[22:39] Apollo Levine: Oh my gosh, yeah, so it was almost like even though I was mentally I was done with the whole Broadway thing. It was not done with me. I feel like we hear these stories all of the time of like that was my worst audition never I was never gonna book it and then it's like you booked it and you're fierce and you're doing the thing here we are.

[23:02] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah, here we are. So that was a crazy audition process. So, can you tell us a little bit about what the experience has been like knowing that you're going to be auditioning for this? What the experience has been like now coming upon a year of this musical running and it's such a popular show to be in? So what's that whole experience sort of felt like this year from being like done with Broadway to being in a hit?

[23:27] Apollo Levine: 400 shows are telling me 400 shows later 100 shows. So yeah, we were talking earlier about the other day was our 400 show. I've never been a part of anything like not a like a show or a gig that you do 400 shows. But it comes so like you look up in this kind of environment because everything happens so quick. So a year doesn't even feel like a year but I will say it has been such a blessing one job security. Thank you Lord. But I have never worked and I've been around a lot of cast and you know casts are great like I don't think I've ever had a cast where it's like we're all falling out and whatever. I've had pretty good successes as far as being around cast that you really really enjoy or whatever but this by far this like the MJ fam is my family.

It is when I say we we ride together getting to walk into that building every day and this is cast crew wardrobe sound like we it is a family up in there and to be able to do this eight shows a week. You kind of need it because sometimes you get burnt out and the moment that you get burnt out somebody else is like hey and you're like, okay, if they're if they're excited I could do this again to today. The audiences have been amazing to to meet people and know like I mean you walk outside I mean you walk outside to sign a playbill and they're like, you know, I came from Brazil. I came from Hungary. I'm here from Canada. I just came in for this show. People that have been back to the show 30 40 50 times and I'm like okay, like but joy to get to know some of the people like we call, you know, the super fans of the show but like it is this year has been unmatched being in this show.

[25:25] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah, and I I'm so grateful that you know from the eye rolls to the casting to now I've had the journey that I've gotten to experience this past year and some change.

[25:40] Apollo Levine: Amazing.

[25:42] Jason A. Coombs: Congratulations.

[25:47] Apollo Levine: Thank you. Sure. Wow. I love that story so much. And I guess so you're playing. I saw me check on it Rob and you're playing Joe Jackson in the show, right?

[25:53] Apollo Levine: So yeah, this has been the cool part that when I originated when I came into this show I was originating the Quincy Jones Tito Jackson home and then after a year there was some you know movement to in the cast so I got to will say do a little upgrade and move it to the Joe Jackson Rob role, so it's it's been great to play two different roles in what is now about to be two years.

[26:25] Jason A. Coombs: Oh for sure. So what's been like to play a character? Who's? We all know he's a little controversial. Mr. Joe Jackson and likes to play a real-life person and has that been like a different approach as an actor from from creating like an original like original character who's not like a real person?

[26:42] Apollo Levine: It is the one thing about like you know like bio musicals or all of that is like you really kind of want to nail the people like you know Miles and Tavon there they're playing Michael every night or you know, whoever's on stage they're playing Michael and so you you want people to come and know that there's you know the Michael is on stage even though we know Michael is no longer with us. But same the same as far as the rest of the characters the Barry Gordy's the Joe Jackson's any of the brothers you want to do them justice so you don't want to just get up there and you know not do the job but I will say the one thing about our creative team is which I loved about this is that they allowed us and and really really wanted us to find the essence of these people and then bring ourselves to the stage so it's not an impersonation but you're giving acknowledgement of like who this person is now give you a take on that which allows people to be they know that we're none of these people but it allows them to enjoy the story even more because they're like, oh, well, yeah that yeah that pretty much tracks even though I'm not him.

[28:06] Apollo Levine: Yeah, the other thing is it's kind of cool because playing, particularly in this role, I switch back and forth like in a matter of a second sometimes, like from Joe back to the choreographer Rob. So it's really, really cool, you know, the acting side of it, to have these moments to go back and forth, jump back and forth from character to character, and it's wild how the creative team has put it together a switch of a switch of a light cue, a switch of a jacket, like on stage, everything is happening right there in front of your face. So it's been so cool.

[28:43] Jason A. Coombs: That's been so fun. What do you think are like what like if people haven't seen the show and like are on the fence? Like, why do you think they should come on and see it? I know it's a very silly question because it's probably be the best musical theater experience.

[29:00] Apollo Levine: I don't know. You are so bold. I love you. No, I was on this needs, you know, I don't like, No, I have actually been able to sit out and watch the show. I've done it twice. I can't believe that what we're doing on that stage eight shows a week. And this has nothing to do with like just what I do, or the dancers, the singers, the band, the lighting, the set design, the, you know, the set design. The lighting, the sound, you feel like you are in a stadium with our sound system. Like it is crazy. It's bananas. I just think it's like they got all these superheroes and put them together on in one building to make this magical thing. And I'm so proud of it. And so because I'm that proud of it. I'm like no one get your ticket. Come, please, like you won't be disappointed.

[30:03] Jason A. Coombs: Jason, we got to get our ticket, Jason. We still have not seen it.

[30:11] Apollo Levine: Well, come on, come on, come on over. The Neil Simon is waiting.

[30:17] Jason A. Coombs: Waiting for survival jobs.

[30:23] Apollo Levine: So you're in this. Thank you for sharing everything about MJ. So everyone run and go see this. We're at the year anniversary. Get your tickets. Go see Apollo. Kill it. Jason and I will do the same. So just to jump a little bit more about you as an artist. Do you have a dream? You're doing an amazing production right now. But aside from this, do you have a dream role show or collaboration that you that would be like the end all be all?

[30:51] Apollo Levine: So I will say that there's two dream roles and one I've already gotten to play, but it's, you know, I did it kind of under low key. And that was Curtis in Dreamgirls. It was, you know, a smaller theater, even though that it was an amazing production, smaller theater. It was just because I wanted to play it. So I would love to play that on a bigger scale. Also, Coal House from Ragtime. Oh, my favorite show. Yeah. It was my first show in North Carolina when I became like started in this whole Broadway world. And Norm Lewis was my Coal House. And I think that set a very, very big bar for me about what leading men were, how you approach not just the stage, but even offstage and how you handle the cast and how you show up. Like, I don't know. So that role means it would mean so much to me. But because of this guy behind me, Marvin Gaye, that is something that I would love to take on. The Marvin Gaye story. So we'll see. We'll see.

[32:06] Jason A. Coombs: Like, would you want to do like a film version? I don't think. Has there been a film version?

[32:11] Apollo Levine: His life story is insane and great. And he's a giant. He really is. And I don't think that there's been a either or. I know he's been a part of musical, you know, like, you know, Motown stuff, all that kind of like he's been a part of things. But I don't think there's actually been his story. And I would love to take that role on, because I think Marvin Gaye is just a phenomenal artist. And yeah, so much to him.

[32:44] Jason A. Coombs: I love that. We're going to manifest that for you.

[32:48] Apollo Levine: Yes. Come on. Put it on.

[32:50] Jason A. Coombs: We manifest a lot on this show. It's crazy. So first, guys.

[32:57] Apollo Levine: I love that. And before we I guess we're coming close to the close, I feel like there's such a quick one today. Wow. I can't believe that. I know. Right. I want to sit with you for like an hour.

[33:12] Jason A. Coombs: I was going to say, do you have something that's feeding your soul artistically, like maybe a movie you've watched recently or TV show or podcast or book you've read recently?

[33:22] Apollo Levine: You know what? I have been reading Billy Porter's book. So that's reading wise. That's what I've been into. But honestly, every day I walk into the theater or at some point in time before I leave the house, I have put on Lizzo's concert on HBO Max. I love Lizzo. I don't know. She as an artist, she does it for me. There's just this thing about her that I honestly love and I can listen to the album. But now that they put the concert out there, I'm like that thing stays on play. Even if I'm not paying attention, like it's on when I like she plays in my dressing room like that. She's that that it person for me right now. There's something about her that's just so genuine. Like you just feel that she's because a lot of people speak about empowerment, but from her it just feels like she's coming from this honest place and she just makes you feel good about yourself.

And that's like it's still needed in these days and times. I bet her concert when she had Watch Out for the Big Girls, when the reality show, everything like and I used to use one of my survival jobs. Also, I used to teach dance and dance fitness classes. She was heavy in my rotation on my playlist and I didn't even realize it until like this last album. I was like, oh, I've been bumping into Lizzo like for a minute. Let me tell you, Lizzo got me through like a breakup, depressed days, happy days like I'm there with you.

[35:04] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah, we do.

[35:06] Apollo Levine: Yeah, I love that.

[35:07] Jason A. Coombs: Well, thank you. Thank you for sharing that. I always like to get a little glimpse of, you know, the person behind the role that they're doing or the art that they're doing and see what's inspiring them as well. So thank you for sharing that.

[35:18] Apollo Levine: Thank you. Thank you so much.

[35:21] Jason A. Coombs: You want to talk about the game? It came from your brain.

[35:23] Apollo Levine: Yes. So we're going to do a fun little we're going to end with a fun little trivia game. Very, very low stakes. But we're going to do because of the show that you're in and the person that you are, the world that you're creating with MJ. We went to follow up with some 80s pop star trivia because he's such an icon of the 80s.

[35:40] Apollo Levine: Oh, God. Okay.

[35:42] Jason A. Coombs: I think I just got real, real hot up in here.

[35:54] Apollo Levine: There is a multiple choice and there's some. So I think you'll be OK. And as Samantha always says, you know, we'll give you some lifelines if you need it. We tend to cheat and help our guests out.

[36:04] Jason A. Coombs: Great. It's just fun. We just love to have fun.

[36:13] Apollo Levine: Okay. Do you want to take the first one?

[36:15] Jason A. Coombs: Sure. Okay. Are you ready?

[36:17] Apollo Levine: Sure.

[36:19] Jason A. Coombs: Sure. Eye roll.

[36:21] Apollo Levine: Right. Insert the eye roll.

[36:25] Jason A. Coombs: Which of the following Madonna hits was her first Billboard number one single? A. Holiday. B. Like a Virgin. C. Like a Prayer. D. Express Yourself.

[36:37] Apollo Levine: I'm going to say Like a Virgin.

[36:41] Jason A. Coombs: Ding, ding, ding.

[36:43] Apollo Levine: Oh, yay. Starting off strong.

[36:45] Jason A. Coombs: Holiday was her first single, her first hit single. And then Like a Virgin was her first number one.

[36:53] Apollo Levine: Okay. Yeah, look at you.

[36:57] Jason A. Coombs: True or false. Prince not only starred in this iconic 1984 movie, Purple Rain, but also directed it.

[37:05] Apollo Levine: Oh, God. I'm going to say false because I'm looking at you.

[37:13] Jason A. Coombs: Okay, great.

[37:19] Apollo Levine: Correct. Correct. Correct. It was false.

[37:21] Jason A. Coombs: Ding, ding, ding. Two for two. Okay, number three. This 80s icon duetted with the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, on the number one hit single, I Knew You Were Waiting for Me.

[37:34] Apollo Levine: I knew you were waiting. Yes, notes. Like I can hear it in my head and I can see it and I'm like, what is his name? He has two first names, that's right. Give you a little hint. And maybe MJ might help you out if you think about MJ's name.

[38:02] Apollo Levine: Let me see MJ's name. Oh, gosh. You know that little monkey curious someone?

[38:12] Jason A. Coombs: George Michael.

[38:14] Apollo Levine: Ding, ding, ding. You got it. Three for three. I said curious someone. I literally could see it in my head. I was like, okay.

[38:24] Jason A. Coombs: Okay, here's another true or false. True or false, Whitney Houston holds the record for seven consecutive number one singles, beating both Elvis and the Beatles.

[38:34] Apollo Levine: Just because I love Whitney, I'm just going to say true.

[38:40] Jason A. Coombs: True, true.

[38:42] Apollo Levine: Okay, great.

[38:44] Jason A. Coombs: I don't know if you can tell, she's over my shoulder.

[38:46] Apollo Levine: Okay.

[38:48] Jason A. Coombs: Good job.

[38:50] Apollo Levine: Yeah, it's like she's Whitney.

[38:52] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah, she's Whitney, so I'm just going to say true.

[38:56] Apollo Levine: Yeah. Even if it wasn't, it's going to be true.

[39:00] Jason A. Coombs: We've already gotten 100%, so we're just going to throw in this little bonus just for fun, but you killed it.

[39:06] Apollo Levine: Okay.

[39:08] Jason A. Coombs: Okay, bonus. What Monster 80s album is the biggest selling album of all time?

[39:16] Apollo Levine: Ding, ding, ding. Yeah.

[39:20] Jason A. Coombs: If I didn't know that, I'm not going to watch this.

[39:26] Apollo Levine: Congrats.

[39:28] Jason A. Coombs: You never needed to even eye roll the game. It was perfect. Congratulations.

[39:34] Apollo Levine: Thank you.

[39:36] Jason A. Coombs: Your prizes, we're going to have to force you to have dinner with us at Glass House Tavern when next time you have a free day.

[39:42] Apollo Levine: Our favorite place in the world.

[39:44] Jason A. Coombs: Listen, I'm here for that.

[39:46] Apollo Levine: Yeah.

[39:48] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah, we keep it light.

[39:50] Apollo Levine: We keep it so light.

[39:52] Jason A. Coombs: Well, thank you so much.

[39:54] Apollo Levine: Thank you.

[39:56] Jason A. Coombs: Thanks.

[39:58] Apollo Levine: Yeah, it was such an honor. It's so great to talk to you, and Bailey's always so great at giving us these wonderful people like you who share their stories with us.

[40:04] Apollo Levine: Yes.

[40:06] Jason A. Coombs: And it's so inspiring to hear your story about how you almost turned it down. You were done with musical theater, you were done with Broadway, and now look at you.

[40:12] Apollo Levine: And now here you are.

[40:14] Jason A. Coombs: I'm here too. Congratulations on all your success. We're going to keep manifesting this Marvin Gaye biopic for you.

[40:20] Apollo Levine: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[40:22] Jason A. Coombs: But before we go, can you just tell people where to find you on social media, new fans so they can support you?

[40:30] Apollo Levine: Usually I rock out on Instagram at onlyapollolavine. I believe that is my TikTok also, but that one is not as hard. That's hard. Yeah, it's a little bit hard with our schedule. And then Facebook is Apollo Levine. But Instagram is usually where I rock out at. I feel like Instagram is everybody's new website and email. That's where you go.

[40:54] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah, you know, a picture or a reel is worth a thousand words.

[41:00] Apollo Levine: And if you're tuning in, sorry Jay, go ahead.

[41:04] Jason A. Coombs: I was going to say, if you want to share, because I always mess it up. I'm going to follow us because I'm the worst at social media.

[41:08] Apollo Levine: You really don't mess it up. You've really perfected it the past few episodes.

[41:12] Jason A. Coombs: Thank you for tuning in to us for the first time because you are an Apollo fan. Check us out on Twitter and Instagram at SurvivalJobsPod. On Facebook at SurvivalJobsPodcast. Shoot us an email at SurvivalJobsPod at gmail.com. Check me out at Sammy Took. And you can follow my boy Jason at Jason A. Coombs.

[41:34] Apollo Levine: Thank you, Apollo. You are so wonderful.

[41:36] Jason A. Coombs: Thank you so much.

[41:40] Apollo Levine: Thank you.

[41:42] Jason A. Coombs: Am I okay?

[41:44] Apollo Levine: We can't wait to meet you in real life.

[41:50] Jason A. Coombs: I can't wait to meet y'all.

[41:52] Apollo Levine: Bye.

[41:54] Jason A. Coombs: We're silly.

[41:56] Apollo Levine: Thank you so much.

[41:58] Jason A. Coombs: Thank you.