PRIDE

Country’s got a new groove—and it’s queer. This week, host Caitlynn McDaniel sits down with country artist Brooke Eden to talk about her latest single Giddy Up, motherhood, WeHo Pride, and why line dancing might be the most joyful form of protest.Brooke opens up about coming out while signed to a major country label, the joy of hearing queer stories in country music, and how she’s turning every performance into a dance party—with choreography anyone can learn. (Yes, Caitlynn gives it a go.)They also get into:Growing up on a line-dancing floorTeaching her record label the Giddy Up choreographyWhat makes someone “country” (spoiler: not barbed wire)Performing at World Pride in D.C.Queer joy, bold love, and starting a family on her own termsFollow @brookeedenmusic for tour dates and tutorials. Giddy Up is streaming everywhere now.

If you’re not already obsessed with Alex Newell, this episode might do the trick. From lighting up the screen in Another Simple Favor to making Tony Awards history, Alex is booked, brilliant, and bringing the chaos—in the best way.Caitlynn McDaniel chats with Alex about their wild career ride, turning down Glastonbury (yep), and why some “simple favors” are anything but. They dive into what it means to be a queer Black disruptor in Hollywood, the pressure to do it all, and how Alex stays grounded (spoiler: not by meditating).Also on the menu: martinis, private boats, and a murder mystery that still has no clear answers.In this episode, Alex and Caitlynn get into:Bringing fabulous chaos to Another Simple FavorSaying no to Glastonbury—and why it was the right callWhat real queer Black representation looks likeDream roles, from Nell Carter to DreamgirlsWhy doing everything can actually make you better“Simple favors” that are anything butAnd Alex’s go-to drink (Hendrick’s, tonic, no garnish)Another Simple Favor is now streaming on Prime Video.

Most pop stars don’t drop their debut album at 42. Then again, most pop stars aren’t Frankie Grande.After years in the spotlight—on Broadway, on Big Brother, and all over social media—Frankie Grande is finally introducing us to who he really is. This week on Pride, Caitlynn McDaniel sits down with Frankie to talk about Hotel Rock Bottom, a bold, unfiltered debut album that weaves together decades of heartbreak, addiction, love, joy, and queer self-discovery.He shares the very gay inspiration behind his new single Boys (spoiler: it involves a steam room at Equinox), opens up about the mental toll of reality TV, and explains how sobriety gave him the clarity to step into his full, authentic self. This is Frankie, no filter, no character—just the real thing, and he’s never sounded better.Here’s what we get into:Why Hotel Rock Bottom tells the story he’s never shared beforeThe unexpectedly raw, hilarious, and sexy inspiration for BoysWhat reality TV got wrong about queer representation (and how to fix it)His journey through addiction, recovery, and finding loveAnd the pop wedding anthem he’s been waiting his whole life to writeFollow Frankie:Instagram: @frankiejgrande Listen to Boys and Hotel Rock Bottom wherever you stream music.

David Archuleta is done holding back. In this episode, he joins host Caitlynn McDaniel for a candid conversation about stepping into his full self—from navigating public life as a queer former child star to finding joy and confidence through music, raves, and (surprisingly) the Evil Queen at Disneyland.They unpack everything:His accidental viral “short king” momentWhat’s hiding in the new single “Can I Call You”The queer roots of EDM and why rave culture feels like homeLetting go of internalized shame (and writing a book about it!)How being vulnerable in public has become a form of healingPlus, David opens up about his Mormon upbringing, his early American Idol experience, and how music has become both his therapy and his way of reclaiming joy.

Bobo Le’s breakout role in The Wedding Banquet proves that being your authentic self can change everything.Host Caitlynn McDaniel welcomes Bobo to Pride to talk about her expanded role in the newly reimagined The Wedding Banquet (which premiered April 18), where she plays Kendall, the cousin to Bowen Yang’s character.Bobo shares how it felt to help shape her character, what it was like working with an award-winning ensemble, and why telling stories about queer joy and chosen family matters. Plus, there’s plenty of love for Spy Kids, spicy food obsessions, deep-sea creatures, and future Marvel dreams.Highlights from this episode:🌟 How Bobo’s audition freestyle changed the course of her character🌟 Behind the scenes with Bowen Yang, Lily Gladstone, and Kelly Marie Tran🌟 Why “None of us are good enough alone” became the heart of the film🌟 Spy Kids fandom, spicy food obsessions, and anglerfish appreciation🌟 What it means to finally see lived-in queer and Asian American characters on screenThe Wedding Banquet is now playing in theaters.

Cornelius Versa grew up loving country music — but it took years (and a few sparkly cowboy hats) to finally claim his place in it. This week on Pride, he joins host Caitlynn McDaniel for a conversation about finding identity, building community, and stepping into the spotlight on his own terms.Cornelius — also known as the Crystal Cowboy — opens up about his experience on The Voice, the personal story behind his new single Pull the Trigger, and how TikTok (including a viral Wicked country cover!) helped him connect with LA’s queer country scene. He also shares the story of meeting his husband in college, why taking risks changed his career, and gives Caitlynn a hilarious (and slightly chaotic) lesson in yodeling.Cornelius’s new single Pull the Trigger is available now on all streaming platforms.🎶 Follow Cornelius Versa everywhere @CorneliusVersa.

She’s smart, sharp, and stylish—and in The Recruit, Kaylah Xander Nuñez keeps Noah Centineo from totally unraveling.On this episode of Pride, host Caitlynn McDaniel sits down with Kaylah to talk about her role as CIA lawyer Amelia Salazar in the hit Netflix series The Recruit. They chat about chosen family on set, Latine representation in Hollywood, and the kind of roles Kaylah’s ready to say “no” to now.Plus, she shares details about her upcoming passion projects—including a short film about estranged sisters, and her very first solo film about Vancouver’s beloved last video store, Black Dog Video.Whether you're here for CIA drama, Shania Twain dreams, or just missing the days of picking out VHS tapes with your family—this one’s for you.What do you think season three of The Recruit should look like—and should Kaylah play Shania Twain next? Let us know by tagging @pride on social.

What do you get when you combine a teen on a mission, a sweet robot named Cosmo, and a smuggler with a heart of gold? Netflix’s The Electric State. On this episode of Pride, host Caitlynn sits down with the star-studded cast—including Millie Bobby Brown, Chris Pratt, Giancarlo Esposito, and directors Joe and Anthony Russo—to talk robots, relationships, and the unexpected emotional gut punches in this futuristic action-adventure.Caitlynn also gets personal—revealing her phobia of underwater robots—and winds up in what might be the most unexpected therapy session ever... with Millie and Chris offering some exposure therapy advice of their own.🎙️ In this episode:Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt bond with their robotic co-stars—and CaitlynnGiancarlo Esposito drops wisdom on love, loss, and the hero’s journeyThe Russo brothers reveal how they crafted a heartfelt ensemble story (and made robots feel real)A surprise dive into submechanophobia (yes, it's a thing)Plus: What grounds the cast when they’re not facing cinematic chaosAnd while the bots might steal the show, this cast also includes LGBTQ+ icon Coleman Domingo—reminding us that queer representation lives even in the most unexpected of sci-fi worlds. Add in themes of chosen family, emotional connection, and embracing your weird little fears? It’s giving Pride, honestly.📺 The Electric State is streaming now on Netflix.🎧 Subscribe to Pride wherever you get your podcasts, and follow us @pride on socials for all the latest.

Michelle Buteau and Peppermint join us this week to talk about Survival of the Thickest Season 2 — a show filled with queer joy, chosen family, body positivity, and… a surprise wedding!Michelle is a comedian, writer, and star of the series. She shares how her essays became a Netflix series and why every detail, from the fashion to the background actors, is intentional. Peppermint is a performer, activist, and trailblazer in trans visibility. And she opens up about bringing authenticity to her character and the power of trans representation onscreen.Plus: the love language of letting someone else carry your dresser.Survival of the Thickest season 2 is now streaming on Netflix! 

Netflix’s La Dolce Villa is serving up romance, pasta, and small-town Italian charm—with actor and model Giuseppe Futia at the heart of it all.In this episode of Pride, Caitlynn McDaniel sits down with Giuseppe to talk about filming in his home country, why queer visibility still matters, and what it was like working with Mean Girls director Mark Waters. Plus, one simple trick to win someone over—Italian style.🍝 Also in this episode:Embracing queer joy on screen and offThe magic of Italian rom-coms, and how this one stands outFlirting 101: It’s all in the eyes 👀La Dolce Villa is now streaming on Netflix.