Ep432 - Stella Cole: Judy Garland Vibes for a TikTok Generation
From The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales by Broadway Podcast Network
February 12, 2026 · 56 min · Episode 432
About this episode
Stella Cole discusses her journey from a musical-theatre-obsessed child to a global jazz sensation, sharing insights on her career, mental health, and the impact of social media.
Stella Cole joins the podcast to discuss her unique journey from a musical-theatre-obsessed child in Springfield, Illinois, to a global jazz sensation. She opens up about the "old soul" label she has carried since infancy and how she navigated a high-pressure academic environment at Northwestern University while privately yearning for the music of Judy Garland and Doris Day. Stella shares the vulnerable story of nearly quitting singing altogether before finding her voice again during the 2020 lockdown, leading to a meteoric rise on TikTok that felt more like a "fake little thing" on her phone than a career-changing event. The conversation dives deep into the realities of being a touring artist in the modern age, from the scrappy days of singing for dinner in Brooklyn to signing with a major label and recording with a full string orchestra at Power Station. Stella discusses the profound emotional power of the Great American Songbook, her transition from viral creator to live performer, and her future aspirations to return to her theater roots. She offers insightful reflections on mental health, the dangers of social media overstimulation, and why she still keeps the idea of law…
People in this episode
Host: Alan
Guest: Stella Cole
Topics covered
- music
- jazz
- theater
- mental health
- social media
Keywords
- Judy Garland
- Doris Day
- TikTok
- Great American Songbook
- touring artist
Mentioned in this episode
Products: Power Station
Books & works: the Great American Songbook, It's Magic, Grammy
Places: Springfield, Illinois, Brooklyn, New York, London, NYC
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