Episode 67: T.J. Wilkins - Becoming Barack

T.J. Wilkins is a singer and an actor currently playing Barack Obama in the musical "44."Instagram and all episodes(00:00) Greyhound to New York & Joining 44(03:40) Eli’s Hotel Room Epiphany & Birth of the Musical(07:20) Jam Session, Studio Work & Becoming “Obama”(11:00) Three Cassettes that Started It All(14:40) Church Solos, Performing Arts School & a Teenage Record Deal(18:20) Realizing His Gift & Studying the Greats(22:00) Why Arts Education (and His Teachers) Saved His Career(25:40) Church and Gospel as the Ultimate Music School(29:20) Class Clown, Inner Soundtrack & Finding an Outlet on Stage(33:00) Growing Up with Artist Parents & Full-Force Support(36:40) Northridge Years: Acting, Recording & Using College as a Springboard(40:20) Disney Reality Show, Mentor Bob & The Voice Audition(44:00) Lessons from The Voice: Fame, Business & Not Taking It Personally(47:40) Staying Grounded: Family, Humility & Not Serving Fame(52:00) Discovering Barack Obama & the 2008 Election Night with His Great-Grandmother(58:00) Building Obama: Books, Cadence & Humanizing a President(61:00) 44’s Audiences, Bipartisan Joy & Remembering the Idea of America(64:30) Evolving the Role, Pre-Show Rituals & Redefining Success

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This episode was published on November 24, 2025.

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