Vanessa Hudgens

on television and also Rent Live. We Do one where we just go we we we we we wee wee. Vanessa has been in movies from Thirteen and Beastly to Spring Breakers. In The Princess Switch. Her newest film, Tictic Boom, as also lin Manuel Miranda's directorial film debut. She co stars with Andrew Garfield. Today, we're going to talk about all of that and more. This is Backstage Pass with

Eric Vitro, and I'm Eric Vitro. On this show, I talked to some of the most talented and famous singers working today about their lives, their craft, and what it takes to make it. We're really big. I happen to be their voice teacher and their vocal coach, so our conversations are uniquely different from their usual interviews. Vanessa has a wide range of talents and voices, from Marine and Rent to Rizzo and Greece, or even voicing Sunny Star Scout and My Little Pony, and she works all of

that energy and enthusiasm into her speaking voice. You know, my voice is my voice, and I love it because it's hella versatile and I feel like I'm just leaning into all the different sides of my voice. I've been doing voiceovers recently, which is very new for me, and I've always wanted to do it, so just kind of playing with my voice and seeing where I can take it, and then seeing that put into like these characters. Oh

my cat, I love it. It's so fun. Like in this next clip, Vanessa got to experiment with accents cast as both characters you're about to hear and the Princess switch Who are you, Lady, Margadelico, Duchess Montanaro, Stacy Janovo. I think we were destined to run into each other. I think that my relationship with my voice has been like a long one because I feel like when I was younger, I used to hate how high my voice was, and so then I would like consciously try to lower it.

But then because I was doing that, then I became really aware of my voice, my speaking voice, and then started incorporating that into my work. Your voice, one of the things I think is unique about it is it always sounds so natural. You never sound like you're straining when you saying. It always sounds so easy and well. I mean like a lot of that is thanks to you. You helped me make sure that things aren't easy and not strained. And when they are strained, You're like, why

are you lifting your chin up? And I'm like, I don't know, then I don't. Yeah, I love that. I love that about your voice because I always feel very relaxed listening. Oh you know, I don't worry about it. Yeah. So, speaking of voices and voice lessons, is there an exercise vocal exercise that you really love, Like, is your favorite? I mean, I feel like I have a couple. When I was younger and was not putting in as much work as I possible we could, I wouldn't do my

full warmups. I would literally just do like slides, okay, and then I'd like, go on this cage. I'm so bad. But my favorite that I have of your warmups is your warm down because we're getting ready for me to go to Broadway and you're like, what's very important is to cool your voice down because it's an exercides with your body. You exercise and then you stretch and on the tape you go, hmmm, me, mem may may come

in m hm, sit down. And I would do that after every show to myself And then did you continue speaking like that? Yeah? And then everything was very light and my voice is going to be okay because I'm speaking in a very soft place. Hmmm. Well that makes me really really happy to hear. The most recent thing we worked on together was the Kennedy Center Honors. Were You Saying Fame? The iconic song Fame, which a very good friend of mine wrote the lyric too for the

Debbie Allen tribute? What was that like? Was that fun? Did you enjoy? Amazing? Yeah? I mean I feel like I remember sitting down with you and being like, Okay, I gotta really learn this song, make sure I actually know the notes i'ms meant to be doing. And I was just like, it's in a couple of days, but we'll figure it. Out, I'll figure it out. It'll be fine.

That's funny you say you told me in a couple of days, because my normal instinct if anyone else said that would be oh no, this is insane, Like is she crazy? And I think I said to you that day. Normally i'd be really nervous about this a couple of days before you're kidding me. But with you, I'm like, well, it always does work out. And that's kind of always been your motto, Yeah, because you always say that just

calm down, lacks it always works out. Yeah, because I'm just like, there's no point on stressing something that you can't change. So end of day, I'm like, I'm gonna do my best. I'm gonna give it all that I can and have faith that, like it will be fine because I've been performing my entire life and I love doing it, so I always know that, like, even if I mess up, it will be okay because I think my passion and love for it shines. Yeah. I totally

totally agree. And then the other thing in the present is you have a great, big, wonderful, exciting movie coming out directed by lin Manuel Miranda, the Great lin Manuel Miranda. I have to say, right, what was that like working with him? I mean, he's incredible. Well, he is phenomenal. I remember my first time meeting him was I think it was right after we did Greece. He was still

doing Hamilton. We went backstage with Tommy kr director on Grace, and he had gotten Lynn the t Birds motorcycle jacket, the leather coat. So we got up there and he was wearing it, and I was just like, oh my god, what could you go? And he was just so sweet and complimentary, and I was just like obsessed obviously with Hamilton as well. And then I worked on in the Heights at the Kennedy Center where he would come by

and like hang out with us. And to be able to be in his directorial debut film is so special. It really feels like such a tight knit family theater and to be a part of his crossovers really cool. Now, in case you don't know, Tic Tic Boom was originally a one man show written and performed by Jonathan Larson, the creator of the hit musical Rent. The twenty twenty one film Vanessa's In is an adaptation. It's really great.

I think that like it really takes you back to the time and what it looked like for Jonathan Larson living in the Lower East Side in the nineties during the AIG's pandemic, like everybody was scared, but like living and creating and doing their best. Oh, the buzz is amazing. I can't wait through the final It's so good. I'm so excited. Well, and then when we worked on it, you and I just going through the music before, Yeah,

you did it. Your voice just sounded so great on those songs, especially because a lot of what I got to do and Tick take Boom is like harmonies and like backup vocals, because that's what my character did. She did Jonathan's backup vocals in his show along with Joshua Henry,

who is another phenomenal voice and human. But singing with him and harmonizing with him, Oh my gosh, it just gave me so much joy every day that, like during our breaks, we would just sing together and harmonize with each other because it was so fun and we sound so good together, and all that work paid off. Listen to their harmonies here in this clip from the movie Tick Tick Boom. So now I'm going to rewinder all the way back time travel. I remember our first working experience.

I'm not sure if you remember it, but it was during, of course, the iconic high school musicals, and I remember us being in a studio in Santa Monica and you had that same quality where you like, all right, this is gonna be really fun tonight. And I was like, who is this girl who was so relaxed? Like where does that come from? Is that because you did start so young? I think so? Yeah. I mean I used to be really shy. I was a very very very shy,

timid child. I did not like socialize. I just wanted to hide or like play in the grass and the dirt, like people scared me. I think that what took me out of my shell was doing theater. I mean I think I did my first play when I was seven and where was that or six? Envisted us like by San Diego at this little community theater and I was terrified.

I think I was playing ensemble parts in the beginning, because that's what you do, and every now and then there would be like an improv part of the day, and my god, I would make myself as small as humanly possible so that they wouldn't take me because I was terrified but you know, when you're forced to go outside of your comfort zones, it pushes you and you evolve and you grow and you adapt. So I think

that really helped me come out of my shell. And then as well, having a character to hide behind, having one else's words to say, you know, I can bring that life, but someone's already written down what I meant to say. So I think that really gave me comfort to just be okay in my own skin and in my own space. And then I fell in love with all of it. So because though you were terrified and nervous, did you go through with it because someone were your

parents kind of pushing it? Or did you know? It was just like I loved performing ever since I was really young. I loved being on the stage. I loved musicals. It was just something that I adored. And while it was uncomfortable, the payoff was worth it every time, right, Right, were your parents performers? No, they're like, you want to do that, okay? And they weren't in the business at all, Oh not at all. Like my dad was a firefighter and my mom like had various jobs and we were

moving around a lot. And I think that God was like Hey, you're going to be a performer kid, I've been like okay ever since. Yeah, So I think that probably is one reason you're so comfortable, although some people start young and aren't comfortable and stay nervous or anxious. For me, and I think that it's a choice as well, nerves, Like, how you label it is such a big thing. Words are so powerful because you can take that feeling and be like, oh my gosh, I feel like I'm gonna

throw up. My stomach is so anxious. I'm so nervous. I'm terrified. Or you can be like whoa, my stomach feels crazy. It's like there's butterflies in there. I am so excited. You know, it's just how you label it. I think it helps. That is a great way to put it, and that does sum up you as now spring through my head. Everything I've seen you. We've been in the recording studio numerous times, storge and projects or backstage before, and that is you always you always label

it as positive. Yeah, because you have a choice. Why choose some negat and like, yeah, I might take a little work, and after a while that becomes a habit, and that starts to become just you. Was there a moment you remember back in those early days when you were like, this is it for me, this is what I'm gonna do. No, No, It kind of was and still is just something that I love doing. I can't imagine doing anything else. I mean, like the grind was continuous.

I didn't really stop. I was doing community theater, and then I moved on to doing a show at the Old Globe with Jack O'Brien, who is an icon. And I was doing like extra work in commercials and then would book the national commercials. So then did that, and then started doing extra work on TV shows, and then booked guest spots on TV shows, and then did my first couple movies. I did A thirteen was my first spoovie, and then Thunderbirds was my second, and then High School

Musical I think was my third. But yeah, I mean I was chugging along the entire time, going on optitions and like committed to the grind. You performed in Washington right around I think High School Musical three was after it. But I remember you had to sing up Christmas Medley in Washington. Remember that, And I remember it's the same thing. You came in and you said Okay, here's the music, and I was like what it was like, like, oh my god. I was like, this is insane. When is it.

You're like, I've got a few days. I leave tomorrow and I was like no, You're like, why are you doing this to me? And once again you were like, Oh, don't worry about it, It'll be fine, I'll learn it, and you did. I mean, I think we worked on it for two hours and by the end of it you knew the whole thing. Yeah. I mean, looking back at that, I'm like, I wish I would have taken a little bit more time, but but I think you had a million other things going on. Yeah, busy girl, Now,

don't go anywhere. Backstage passed with me, Eric Vitro and my guest Vanessa Hutchins will be right back just after this. Welcome back. Here's the rest of backstage Pass with me, Eric Vitro and the lovely Vanessa Hutchins. What was that like for you being in New York, a California girl

on Broadway. I remember making friends with someone in him being like you seem like such a New Yorker, Like I feel like you belong in New York and I was like, that's crazy, like me from California thinking of myself as like just your classic California girl, which I am. But it's so funny because the older that I've gotten, I now have a place in New York, and I am such a New Yorker. When I go to New York and come back to LA I'm like, oh my god, people are so slow. What are they doing? Like my

whole vibe changes. But I love it. It's just a special place, especially being in those theaters. We were at the Neil Simon Vanessa's talking about her first Broadway show, Gigi, Like, I just remember walking in the first time we got into the theater and they put the Marquee up and there was a picture of Audrey Hepbron standing in front of her Marquy when she did Gigi, which was her first Broadway show, And I walked into the theater and just looked around and just took it in, just thought

about like all the performers that were there before me, and it was just really special. And that was such a fun show too. I mean, the music was great, the costumes were magnificent. I had some of the most insane costume quick changes ever it was thrilling. Yeah. I remember those gorgeous pictures of you when they released those. They were unbelievable. The costume changes in a Broadway show can be really really fast and really difficult, but trust me,

they're so worth it. I still remember sitting in my seat watching Vanessa on stage and those elegant gowns, the sleek opera gloves and the feather boas. Oh and can we talk about the dressing room for a minute. Gosh, well, I had to dick out my dressing on my first broad Way to dressing room. Yeah. No, I went for it. Yeah, you totally. And I painted it pink. All the flowers that I would get, I would hang them upside down and dry them. Oh. I put up like a tapestry.

I put up like a Paris wall paper. Right, I was. I was doing the most. And then I was lucky enough to be there when you did that recording session for the cast album, and I remember, once again you were excited about it. I was waiting for you on the street. Your car pulled up, you got out and went all right, this is gonna be fun. And I was like, oh my god, She's always so excited and happy. About these things and then you went in and just

nailed it so fast. Is that because you really just had been doing it on Broadway so you felt like, oh, I really know it and I'm confident, or did you like really prep in your mind, all right, I'm recording today, I'm going to go in Like no, I mean I think that, like because I had been doing it so many times from rehearsals to then previews, and like, because it's live theater, there's no auto tune or anything, so you do your best to make sure that you are

itch and that your placement is right every night. Yeah, So it was just kind of like it became habitual those songs. That is the thing about those live television musicals. There is no fixing them like that is live. There's no auto tune, there's no you know anything. You can't go back if you make a mistake, if you crack, if you forget a lyric. So you did it with so much confidence. Do you think being on Broadway helped you or is it just all the years leading up

to it. I mean, probably definitely helped. It's such a high level of performers on Broadway that you want to be up there with them, like you want to make sure that you're performing at a level that is worthy of gracing Broadway stages. But I think professionalism has always been something that's very important to me, and it's something that I pride myself on, So it's not something that I take lightly, like that is my job and I'm going to go and do the best job I can.

What would you say, Because you've obviously now done movie musicals you did it live. Is there one that you enjoy more? I think doing the live musicals to television might be my favorite because it is the most exhilarating, challenging, thrilling thing I think you can possibly do. Because I love doing Broadway obviously, but it lives there and then once the show's over, it's over. Like you can go to the library to go see it, but that's it,

you know. And with the televised ones, like the world gets to see it, which is so cool, and it can bring families together and it's like an experience and you can watch it back and see it but know that it was actually your performance that you gave because with movies and stuff, you lose that connection of performer to audience and with the live to TV ones that remains right. It's really cool and it's the craziest thing ever.

Like I remember doing Greece and running off the stage into a golf cart, going over to another stage, running onto that stage, throwing all my clothes off, putting on new clothes on, running out, doing a scene, and then like continuing the running like it was just madness. The fact that that came together the way that it did is such a miracle. But Rent too, like there's so

many moving pieces, it's crazy. And for Grease, remember it started raining a little bit earlier in the day and then I remember the wind was I think it blew something down and it felt like a disaster. Yeah, you guys were troopers. You just involve, you adapt when you do get to watch, because you can't really see yourself on Broadway. You can, like you said, if people with library and see one taped version. But like, have you

watched live, Grease or Rent? Yeah, of course I feel like I watched them both, like right afterwards, And what do you feel when you watch it? What's that experience? Like, it's fun, it's exciting. I mean, like with both of those, I'm really proud with what I did. And I don't have a hard time watching myself, Like I can enjoy my performance and everyone else's performances, and like we worked so hard on them that it's such a labor of love to see it all come together, Like I get

to enjoy it as an audience member as well. Greece was great, and like, I don't know if you want to talk about this or not, but what was pretty amazing in Greece is that some people might not know your dad passed away the day before, the night before, the night before. I was like, he was battling cancer. But I so many times was just like, please God,

not the night before. That's all I kept saying. But like now as I say that, I'm like, but you were sticking all your energy into night before, night before, so like, yeah, of course it would happen the night before, but yeah it was. It was brutal, but I think that, like, my dad was one of my bigger supporters and fans. He would have wanted me to do what I did, you know. And then our producer Mark dedicated it to him at the end, which was so beautiful, right, wow, yeah,

by Mark, you mean Mark Platt. Amazing. Mark Platt's phenomenal, one of the best. And my mom was there, my sisters was there, and it was just like a really beautiful kind of way to remember him by us all being together and like me performing and doing what I love and what he spent so much of his time working towards from to help me. Yeah, I remember in

the dressing room. I wasn't sure when we warmed up how it was going to go, because you said, I'm okay, I'm going to deal with this later, let's not talk about it, let's not dwell on it. I'm going to compartmentalize it. But you had such a look in your eyes. I thought, Wow, I don't know how this is gonna go. And then if anybody didn't know that happened, they would have never never known. I mean, you were just you got out there and you soared well, Like playing Rizzo

as well is so much fun. It's so much fun. She's just spunky and she's sassy and she like knows how to capture guy's attention. And I was like, we're gonna channel that bitch and like be as her as we possibly can be. You can hear that sassy tone in this clip of Vanessa as Rizzo in Grease Live. Look at me, I'm Sandra, Dee Claus Virginity. Won't go to betsylam legally what I cant I'm Sandra. I really

did have a great time. I think that, like compartmentalizing is so real and something that you kind of have to do sometimes to push through. But I really did still enjoy that. Wow, that's so great, and that's what he would have wanted, Like he said, he worked hard to get you. Help you there. Yeah, well both of them.

Grease was great. Rent. Once again, Rent, we sat in your trailer, remember you had the trailer and the first hour before Maureen makes her fantastic entrance, you were just having the best time watching everybody, And I thought that was really endearing to me that you were really cheering on everybody, all your castmates, watching them for the first hour. Like some people get no, I don't want to watch it, No,

I don't want to be distracted. You were like cheering for them and dancing around the room, and well, I mean that's what Maureen would have been doing. So I think there's definitely a subconscious piece of that. Me. Yeah, was not intentional. What I was doing was enjoying the show. Like I am a massive theater lover and gigantic Jonathan Larson fan, So like watching my friends do a show that I love and sing the music that I adore, Like, it's just the best time. I got to like sit

front row and cheer on my friends. Yeah, no, that was that was great. And then you left me in the trailer and went all right, I'm gonna go have a good time, and I just sat there watching and it was great, and I was so proud of you. Those reviews were unbelievable. They were so great of you. I remember when we were in the trailer four rent, you said, I love this so much, I'm going to make sure I do something musical every single year. Yes, I know, And since then I have you have. Yeah,

every year I've done at least one musical thing. Yeah. It's medicine from my heart, and I feel that's what I've seen over the years. You can see it in all of Vanessa's performances, whether she's singing on stage or acting on screen. Vanessa always as fun. I've seen you kind of grow and grow up and have a lot of life experiences, career experiences, but the truth is your essence is always the same, Like you keep evolving and getting better, but who you really are as a person

has not changed. So happy at all. That makes me so happy. Well, it's like a great quality. It's a really great quality. Yeah, you know, you just trying to stay true. Yeah, well you have, and I really mean that. It's that positive thinking that always helps her find her way while still celebrating exactly who she is. And isn't that something we all should be striving for while we're trying to make our way in the world. I think

it's important to remember two things. To work hard, but to also have patience, because, as Miles Davis said, man, sometimes it takes a long time to sound like yourself. Stay tuned. After the break, we'll go over this week's vocal tips and Vanessa's favorite exercise, the cooldowns. Welcome back, It's time for our weekly backstage pass vocal tip. Hopefully you're feeling inspired to sing yourself. Why just let the stars have all the fun. Come on, let's get you

working your own voice now. I know sometimes the hardest part of vocal training can be finding the time and the inspiration to practice every day. Just ask Vanessa when we don't work together for a while, and then I get a job or something where I'm singing. You're like, so, how have you been Have you been singing? You always ask, and I'm always like, no, no, not really. Have you been doing your Vogue warmups? You ask? I'm like, then

I put on my poker face. Okay, yeah, And I mean, like when it's time to like focus in, like I do do it every day, but I feel like consistency is the hardest thing, like just continuing to do it because it is a muscle, and like it doesn't stay strong forever, like you have to keep it strong and strengthening it. So that's I think always been my downfall, right, I don't think it's a downfall. It's just it's your process and it's working for you. So I think you

have to think of it like that. Really, the whole experience, I feel like it is just so therapeutic, like seeing you and talking and doing the exercises and moving around the room and like being silly and like just enjoying the process and then working on something with you and seeing how the little tricks are things that you may give me make such a big difference. And then like the relief of knowing that I have those in my back pocket going forward is just wonderful. It's like winning

all around. Oh, I love that. I love that you said that. Thank you for the vocal tip this week, inspired by Vanessa. Let's talk about developing your lower notes and how to cool down your voice. Let's start working on developing those lower notes to widen your range. They should feel as easy as speaking. First, say m MEMI. Try to speak the Mimi and your natural speaking voice, but with just a little bit more for replacement than usual, a little bit of a nasal sound. Me me, then

try m may May. Then try singing five notes and a descending order like you heard Vanessa doing at the beginning of our episode. You can try it on Mimi or may may me me me, me, me, me, me me me. Basses, baritones, and tenors. Start on a G below middle C like this. Keep singing this five note pattern, continually transposing it down by half steps, in other words, changing the keys by half steps like this. Keep going until you reach the lowest note you can sing comfortably.

You can always use a piano or a keyboard downloaded onto your phone or your tablet to give you the starting notes of each pattern sopranos and eelto start on a G above mettle C. Remember, keep the vibrations forward on the roof of your mouth. Just keep transposing, changing the keys down by half steps until you reach your lowest note. Go as low as you can comfortably. Now,

let's try a little cooling down. If you've ever watched a marathon runner, you saw that they kept walking and moving after the race, so the leg muscles didn't cramp up. They never just stopped short. The same principle applies to a singer after a major singing event like a concert, or a long recording session or a big rehearsal. My students always tell me that when they do a short cooldown, or some people prefer to call it a warm down, they wake up the next day feeling much better and stronger.

I break my cooldowns into two parts. Today we're going to focus on the speaking part of the cooldown, which is to have you focus keeping your speaking voice forward in your mouth after you've been doing a big sing First, say mmm hello, Now say hmm please come in. Do you feel how the m really propels your voice nice and forward in your mouth. That's a really healthy place to speak from after you've been doing a big sing Try it again, M, hello, M, thank you for coming

to the show. All right. I know this is probably feeling very unnatural, but you only have to do it in this exaggerated way for about fifteen minutes after that big singing event, just to make sure you're keeping your speaking voice and a forward, healthy range that's going to really save your voice. After that, you can keep it forward, but relax it so you sound more like you. If you want to share how you're developing your low notes or doing a cool down, I'd love to hear you.

Use the hashtag Backstage Pass pod on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, or wherever you like to post. I can't wait to see your videos. I'll see you next week maybe maybe me may. Backstage Pass with Eric Vitro is written and hosted by me Eric Vitro and produced by Morgan Jaffee. Katherine Girardeaux is our showrunner. Emily Rosstek is our associate producer. Mixed and mastered by Ben Tolliday. Additional engineering help is

from Jacob Gorski. Mia Lobell is our executive producer. Our development team Poltallmull and Justine Lange helped create the show. Thanks also to Jacob Weisberg, Heather Fame, John Schnars, Carli Migliori, Christina Sullivan, Eric Sandler, Maggie Taylor, Nicolemarano, Daniella Lucan and Royston Deserve. Original theme music is by Jacob and Sita Steele for Premier Music Group. We record it Resonate Studios. Fred Taluksen does our videography and the photography is by

Ken Sawyer. A very special thanks to Michael Lewis for his inspiration and the best guidance anyone could ask for. Backstage Pass with Eric Vitro is a production of Pushkin Industries, and if you like the show, please remember to share, rate and review. I mean that really share it, rate it and review it. If you love this show and others from Pushkin Industries, consider subscribing to Pushkin Plus. Pushkin Plus is a podcast subscription that offers bonus content and

uninterrupted listening for four ninety nine a month. Look for Pushkin Plus on Apple podcast subscriptions. To find more Pushkin podcasts, listen to the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts,