June 2, 2026
Alisan Porter
Alisan Porter joins Taboo’s Comics and Kicks to revisit Curly Sue, Parenthood with Steve Martin, and her journey from child star to winning The Voice. She shares behind-the-scenes stories from classic Hollywood sets, early-2000s nightlife, motherhood, music, and finding her voice again.
Alisan Porter sits down with Taboo for a wide-ranging conversation about growing up on screen, finding her identity as a singer, and looking back at the pop culture moments that shaped her life and career.
Alisan reflects on Curly Sue as the role that felt like her child-star breakthrough after years of working as a young actor. She shares memories of working with Jim Belushi and John Hughes, including the emotional restaurant scene where Hughes pushed her to focus and go deeper as a performer.
She also looks back on Parenthood, her first feature film, and what it was like being surrounded by a legendary cast and creative team that included Steve Martin, Mary Steenburgen, Ron Howard, Joaquin Phoenix, Keanu Reeves, Rick Moranis, Martha Plimpton, Dianne Wiest, and Tom Hulce.
The conversation also dives into Pee-wee’s Playhouse, The Golden Girls, Dante Basco, child-actor life, the magic of old Hollywood backlots, and the early-2000s Joseph’s nightclub scene where stars like Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Leonardo DiCaprio, Christina Aguilera, Black Eyed Peas, Jamie Foxx, Mark Wahlberg, Carmen Electra, Marlon Wayans, and DJ AM all crossed paths.
Alisan opens up about why singing was always her true calling, how theater helped bridge acting and music, and why The Voice became such an important comeback and proof-of-purpose moment for her as a young mom. She also talks about winning Season 10 with Christina Aguilera as her coach, making new music for women who grew up with her, and continuing to coach and mentor performers today.
A nostalgic, funny, and heartfelt episode about Curly Sue, classic movies, 90s and 2000s Hollywood, motherhood, music, and what it means to grow up without losing your voice.
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