Ep. 7 – Drew Lachey: From 98° to Broadway & Beyond the Spotlight

What happens when the world knows your name… and you refuse to be defined by just one thing?

In this episode, I'm joined by Drew Lachey — singer, Broadway performer, and co-founder of Lachey Arts. From topping charts with 98° to raising a family while running a community arts program, Drew shares the mindset shifts, personal lessons, and surprising pivots that shaped his journey.

👉 What You'll Discover:

• How years of creative collaboration shaped his approach to partnership and success

• Why Cincinnati and family remain his foundation and keep him grounded

• The unexpected joy he discovered in elevating others, from building Lachey Arts to empowering DIYers on HGTV

This isn't just a look back at pop stardom — it's a reminder that true breakthrough is about building something meaningful when you step out of the spotlight.

✨Connect with Drew:

Instagram + Facebook: @TheDrewLachey

TikTok: @DrewLachey

www.LacheyArts.com

www.98Degrees.com

Chapters

• 0:00 Opening Introduction
• 2:11 Creative Collaboration: 25+ Years Working With Lea
• 4:30 Home Renovations: How Physical Space Reflects Internal Emotions
• 7:02 From Spotlight to Support: Finding Joy in Elevating Others
• 9:48 Staying Rooted: What Cincinnati Taught Drew About Success
• 13:04 Culture, Food, And Cincy Pride
• 15:00 Lessons from Lachey's Bar: Risk & Redirection
• 19:58 Lachey Arts: Making Creative Expression Accessible to All
• 22:27 Mentor Moment: The Teacher Who Changed Everything
• 25:41 Dancing with the Stars: Stepping Into Solo Spotlight
• 31:25 Brother Bond: Favorite Memories with Nick
• 35:41 Tour Tales: White Water Rafting Gone Wrong
• 38:08 The Storyteller's Thread: Authenticity Across All Platforms
• 40:40 High School Sweethearts: Growing Together with Lea
• 42:30 Legacy for His Kids: Blue Collar Work Ethic and Respect
• 44:08 New HGTV Chapter: Empowering Others to "Drew It Themselves"
• 44:57 Life Philosophy: The Quote That Guides Him
• 47:23 Turning the Tables: Drew's Question for Traci

Transcript

SPEAKER_00: 0:00

For us, it was very important that we that we had a way that we could give back uh similar to how people invested in us when we were kids. At this point, I don't have the energy to try and to try and be something I'm not.

SPEAKER_01: 0:13

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_00: 0:14

I feel like dance with the stars was very important in my in my maturation as a as an artist. Did you know you were gonna win, or did you think you were gonna win, or did you feel it in your bones?

SPEAKER_02: 0:27

It's me too. And when I get on the mic, you know we're about to have a good time tonight. Real growth. Real growth, that's a fact. So go ahead now, sit back and follow a thought. You'll see that nothing is impossible because together we become unstoppable. We know that taking action is the objective. So get ready for the breakthrough collective. This is the Breakthrough Collective where your story matters, your courage counts, and your next chapter starts now. I am sitting down with Drew Lachey from 98 Degrees to Dancing with the Stars winner to HDTV host. He has mastered the art of reinvention while staying true to his Cincinnati roots, building a life and career with his high school sweetheart, Leah, and using his platform to champion arts education. Drew understands that a true breakthrough isn't just about reaching new heights, it's about lifting others up along the way. So let's dive in.

SPEAKER_00: 1:27

Hello.

SPEAKER_02: 1:28

What's going on?

SPEAKER_00: 1:29

Make me sound like I did something special. Like I got like a lofty expectations to live up to.

SPEAKER_02: 1:35

He paid me for that. So um so we have known each other when we met through Leah.

SPEAKER_00: 1:41

A million years.

SPEAKER_02: 1:42

A million and one years. Um, and I was one of the dancers on uh the 98 degrees tour, the revelation tour.

SPEAKER_00: 1:49

Yep.

SPEAKER_02: 1:50

So is there anything you want to say to our listeners?

SPEAKER_00: 1:54

I'm just very happy to be here. Um very excited to be here. I'm I'm so happy for you in this chapter and and excited to be a small part of it. And and uh I'm I'm loving what you're doing.

SPEAKER_02: 2:03

So and we're happy to have you here as well. So should we just dive in?

SPEAKER_00: 2:06

We can dive in.

SPEAKER_02: 2:07

I mean I can have my questions here. Okay, so you and Leah have been creative collaborators.

SPEAKER_00: 2:15

Why we gotta start with the question that with I mean, I am my own person. Can I not have my own No, you cannot. Okay, I get it. So you guys have been collaborators for 25 years and Yeah, we've collaborated with 98 Degree stuff, her as our choreographer. Uh, and then that's kind of you know transitioned into uh us creating a nonprofit together and producing shows together and and all these things that we've been doing for the past you know 15 years. So um, yeah, it's been it's been a lot of collaboration.

SPEAKER_02: 2:46

Yes. As someone who's used to being part of a group dynamic, because you know, you're used to being in 98 degrees. So obviously when you're with Leah, it's it's different.

SPEAKER_00: 2:57

No, it's a different dynamic, yeah. Yeah, it's it's it's different because you know the the the group dynamic is you know, it's the four of us and we we vote on everything, and you know, and then our manager is usually the tiebreaker, and not that anything usually gets to that point, but it's uh you know, it very much is just a a pure like numbers vote goes. You know, Lee and I, we're quite different with the Yeah, it's it's it's it's different because you know it's just the two of us. There is no tiebreaker, usually like you'd be the tiebreaker, probably. Yeah, um, but it's also there's a lot more, you know, going back and forth and dialogue about the choices. And um it it it definitely is more of a um I would say more of a collaborative effort um as opposed to four guys who all like kind of have their their own opinion and yeah um you know so I I think it it's just a different dynamic and you know I can't ever I can't ever escape her, you know. She's she's you know with me all the time. So um, you know, it's it's not like I can be like, all right, I'm going home, forget you guys. You know, be like, all right, honey, I'm going to the other room of the house and you know, getting away. Um, but I think there's also a I mean not there's not respect between the guys, but I think there there's a different level of respect between between us.

SPEAKER_02: 4:13

Yeah, plus you don't want to go to bed mad.

SPEAKER_00: 4:16

Yeah, plus, you know, it's there's that I don't want this being held over my head for like the next 40 years, you know. Like exactly that one time you didn't agree with me. Um yeah.

SPEAKER_02: 4:25

Yeah, he's talking about you. She's here, so okay. So your show, Date My House, is about helping people fall back in love with their homes. Yeah, right. What's the most surprising thing you've learned about how our physical spaces reflect our eternal emotional?

SPEAKER_00: 4:46

Oh, I I think there's a a direct a direct correlation. I feel like if people aren't comfortable, aren't, aren't, you know, feeling secure in their own space, they're never gonna be able to feel you know free to become who they're their best version of themselves. So um, you know, my my perspective on on like DIY and and renovation is more like your house is gonna be one of your longest relationships that you're ever in. So, you know, get to know each other, you know, get to know what makes each other tick. You get to know what makes each other mad, you know. Um, don't put wipes down the toilet, you know, it's it's things like that. Gonna make your house mad at you. Um, and I feel like there used to be a a um a focus on, you know, home economics and shop and and and and classes in school that taught you about some of these things. They don't have that anymore. No, they don't have them anymore. So people literally go into home ownership or or off into adulthood knowing nothing about you know any tools to use or how your house works at all. So, you know, my my kind of ideology on that is let me tell you a little bit about how your house works, yeah. So that you feel a little bit more comfortable making the choices, deciding what you're gonna do and change. And uh and I feel like that kind of that strength and independence in in your space carries over into your into your daily life as well.

SPEAKER_02: 6:05

So is that where you learned um how to fix things from a s your class in school?

SPEAKER_00: 6:11

No, I I I was part of like a scenic shop class, which you know taught me how to use power tools. So I wasn't like scared of like, oh, here's the miter saw and and those kind of things. But for me, I got I got taken advantage of by a contractor when I was you know 23 years old. You know, I had somebody come in to do drywall and you know they didn't do it, uh didn't do it right. And I brought the painters in and they were like, the drywall is not done. And I was like, no, I paid him. They're like, oh, it's not done. So um from that point on, I was like, Exactly. He couldn't get him back on the phone. Really? Um yeah, so the painters finished it, but at that point on, I was like, I'm not gonna, I need to know these things so I don't get taken advantage of again. Um, and so that was kind of where where my journey into So your high school teacher can't take credit for the pace.

SPEAKER_02: 6:57

Okay.

SPEAKER_00: 6:57

I mean, they can. I don't know how much of it's true, but yeah.

SPEAKER_02: 7:00

Okay, I got it. You've gone from being the one performing for audiences to helping homeowners and musical theater creators find their voice. What's different about the energy you get from elevating others uh versus being in the spotlight yourself?

SPEAKER_00: 7:17

It's gonna sound weird, but I I I think of myself more as an introvert than an extrovert.

SPEAKER_02: 7:23

Well, um, I know explain, do explain.

SPEAKER_00: 7:26

So, like my job, my job is that I have to be extroverted. I have to be, you know, put myself out there and and be, you know, as charismatic as possible, and and some might even say charming. Um at times. What's going on? I know, but no, no, no. Um, but I feel like when I'm not in that world, I am I'm more comfortable not being the center of attention of of kind of being in in the background and and helping other people, you know, kind of see their visions through. So um I don't need to be the loudest voice in the room, I don't need the one drawing all the attention. Um, you know, I feel more comfortable sometimes just kind of sitting back in the cut and being like, hey, you know, seeing what's going on. And yeah. And I feel like when you do speak then, yeah, your words are more powerful than if you're talking all the time. Correct. Um yeah. So the the for me being able then to sit back and see what other people want to have, you know, as their dream, yeah, and and help, you know, guide them or or lead them or just give them advice on on you know what's worked for me um is a very rewarding place to be.

SPEAKER_02: 8:38

Yeah. And I've watched you because I I'm always telling you and Leah that you guys are changing lives because you have these, they were students before, and I know we've known them since they were like 12 or whatever. And I'm always like the students, but now they're grown up and they're cast members.

SPEAKER_00: 8:53

Yeah. And yeah, no, it's it's um, so our nonprofit, Lachey Arts, and and you know, the shows that we've created have they become extended families. You know, they become part of your life. You you are invested in their successes, you are you are heartbroken at their failures, but you see their failures as growing moments, and you're there to try and be that that voice of reason, be like, all right, what can we learn from this? How oh great, you didn't get that audition, but what did you learn in that audition that you can apply to the next one and and trying to be that that voice of reason or that that um that sounding board for them to to grow and achieve their dreams and and reach their fullest potential, uh whether it's in the arts or whether it's finance or education or whatever, whatever it is they want to do. Um, you know, just trying to be that that person that can that can help um you know be positive and and you know re reaffirm that that they're on the right path.

SPEAKER_02: 9:47

Yeah. You've stayed rooted in uh Cincinnati and you have on your Cincy Shirts hat, you re-representing and stuff, always um, and you've been there through various career changes.

SPEAKER_03: 10:01

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02: 10:02

In an industry that often demands you move to LA or New York, and you you have lived in New York and you have lived in LA. Um, what has staying home taught you about success and that you might have missed being somewhere else? I mean, you could talk about New York.

SPEAKER_00: 10:20

Yeah, no, so um I moved to New York when I was 18, not because I had these aspirations of doing theater or anything like that, but this is where Leah moved when you were following your love. Yeah, basically, yeah. So I went I went a different path. You know, I went into the I went to the military and then you know, I came here because she was here. And then um, so that was my how my journey in New York started. And, you know, I drove an ambulance in New York, I worked at a houseware store. I wasn't like living some showbiz lifestyle, you know. I was, you know, eating ramen like every other, you know, 18-year-old in New York was and and trying to to go there. And then I I think, you know, my move to LA initially was for 98 degrees and to get signed and things like that. So um, you know, for me, New York and LA were always somewhat attached to uh to work or some sort of job or things like that. But even when I lived in New York and LA, it was always, all right, we're gonna go home to Cincinnati. It was always home to Cincinnati, where they were going just to visit, it was always home. Um, and then once Leah and I started a family, we started it in LA. We lived there for a decade. So, I mean, it wasn't like we were just passing through. Uh, we had set up routes, but it it never felt it never felt like home. Like home. Um, and then when we thought about how we want to raise our kids, it was always, you know, with the the kind of childhood that we had both had, you know, the being able to ride your bike and you know, go out and play in the woods and have that kind of more carefree lifestyle and um being close to grandparents. And I think I think for me, like when you say success, like what is success? To me, success is the fact that you're able to give your child that that childhood. All right. And you're able to give them that family, that that support, that that carefree, if there is such a thing, carefree life that isn't quite as hectic or as materialistic or as whatever adjective you want to throw in there as some of the the the major cities, you know. Um there's not as much of a keeping up with the Joneses in Cincinnati. There is a a normalcy to it. While we still have great arts and sports and you know everything that that a big city might have, um there is a there is a grounded nature to being in Cincinnati. And to me, that is success. Like being able to give that to my kids, um, regardless of you know how many records you sell or whatever TV shows you do, that's that's success.

SPEAKER_02: 12:47

I love Cincinnati. It has changed because when we were first on tour, wee bit ghetto. But the downtown area. I'm from the South probably, so I can say that.

SPEAKER_00: 12:57

Yes, the downtown area.

SPEAKER_02: 12:59

But now it's like the culture is like it's feared.

SPEAKER_00: 13:04

Yeah, so Cincinnati's always had a really you know rich, you know, arts history. You know, it's you know, a lot of artists came from the whether it's music or whether it's visual arts or you know, you know, whether it's the you know, the design for the Brooklyn Bridge was tested in Cincinnati with our our bridge.

SPEAKER_02: 13:20

Oh, he's showing out now.

SPEAKER_00: 13:22

He's like, we represent and and you know, if everybody's like, oh, Cincinnati, it's it's Midwestern, but you know It's a big city, it's Midwestern, but it's either like a big, small town or a small, big town, which whichever way you want to look at it. But um the food is good. It is good. What do you think about Skyline Chili?

SPEAKER_02: 13:39

Okay, so Skyline, when I first had it, I was like, I don't really like this. But then I got used to it, and then um I what do I always get? The burrito?

SPEAKER_00: 13:52

Yeah, yeah, you get the burrito.

SPEAKER_02: 13:53

And then this great is but what I really enjoy is when Leah cooks um the uh it's the sausage thingy.

SPEAKER_00: 14:02

The sausage thingy. It's a the big beanie?

SPEAKER_02: 14:05

Like no, it's it's something that has to do Leah getta.

SPEAKER_00: 14:10

Oh, getta.

SPEAKER_02: 14:10

How do you not know that?

SPEAKER_00: 14:11

I mean, he's well the sa I don't I don't consider that sausage.

SPEAKER_02: 14:14

I mean it's it's that's isn't that like it's pork, but it's not sausage.

SPEAKER_00: 14:19

I mean it's bake is b is is bacon sausage? No. Is that you know pork chopped sausage? This is what it has to go through. It's pork.

SPEAKER_02: 14:27

Okay, getta. Yeah, get it.

SPEAKER_00: 14:29

Yeah, yeah. And for people that don't walk no don't know what Getta is. Getta is um it comes in a a law, kind of like a us like sausage patties do, and you cut it up. Um but it's a mixture between pork and and pinnoats. Um and it's it's German.

SPEAKER_02: 14:43

Guten Tag.

SPEAKER_00: 14:44

Yeah. Okay, yeah, um Sausages, kindergarten.

SPEAKER_02: 14:51

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00: 14:53

Um, so you know it's it's uh part of our our German, our German roots and German heritage and society.

SPEAKER_02: 14:58

I love it.

SPEAKER_00: 14:58

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02: 14:59

Okay, so you guys opened a bar, Lache Arts.

SPEAKER_00: 15:04

The bar was Lache Arts.

SPEAKER_02: 15:06

Sorry.

SPEAKER_00: 15:09

Yes, we're bringing your 12-year-old to the bar. Yes. You have a baby in a bar.

SPEAKER_02: 15:16

You guys opened a bar, Lachey bar.

SPEAKER_00: 15:19

Yes.

SPEAKER_02: 15:19

You know what I meant.

SPEAKER_00: 15:20

Yes, I didn't know I do know what you meant. Yeah, so uh we did we did open a bar uh in Cincinnati called Lachaise. Um, and it was a moment in time. Yes, it was a moment that I never need to live again. Okay. Um, you know, it was fun. It was fun at at moments, you know, having having that, you know, that staff, and they we had got along great, and it was great for our our customers. It was just it was a lot a lot of work, a lot more. I mean, the fact that we had like a full kitchen and it was a scratch kitchen, it was just it was it was a lot, a lot more than than you know we we ever anticipated it would be.

SPEAKER_01: 15:57

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_00: 15:58

Um, you know, so when it when it closed, it was it was sad, but there was like a level of stress stress that was just lifted off of me that I was like, ah you were able to exhale. Now I don't have to be scared every morning when I open my emails and see what you know the profit loss margin was the day before. Um, but you know, it was something creative that we were able to do. I mean, we designed it from the ground up and we had a great partners and great architect. And um, but it was uh it was an educational process, um, and it was fun, but I'm not sad that it's it's right no longer exists.

SPEAKER_02: 16:33

It closed after a few years, right?

SPEAKER_00: 16:35

Yeah, yeah, I think we were open for four or five years.

SPEAKER_02: 16:36

Um so what did that experience teach you about taking risks in business that you've applied to your current ventures?

SPEAKER_00: 16:47

Um, so I I think you know, I was always very, very adamant, you know. So Nick always has always dreamed of like the sports bar thing, you know.

SPEAKER_02: 16:58

Uh because he Well you guys are really interested in the world.

SPEAKER_00: 17:00

Yeah, we're we're big sports fans.

SPEAKER_02: 17:02

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00: 17:02

Um, and but it was always like his dream. No bangles. Yeah, go hood. Um but but you know, I was always like, you know what, it's a really risky business, you know. The you know, I quote all the things about more restaurants fail than succeed and blah, blah, blah, blah. And I've never actually said I told you so to him. Uh but he knows.

SPEAKER_02: 17:20

Are you saying it now? No, I'm not gonna do that.

SPEAKER_00: 17:23

I'm gonna say it because he knows. Um but uh but I think it was more of a it doesn't matter how much how much effort you put into it, how much blood, sweat, and tears, how great the idea might be. Yeah, some things just aren't going to work. Um, you know, there there were certain signs that we had along the way that could have been like, all right, maybe we maybe we pull back, maybe this isn't the right location, maybe, maybe this isn't the right time, maybe we need to move it somewhere else. Um, but we we were like so, no, this is what we're gonna do, we're gonna do, we're gonna do. Yeah, that we just kind of tried to fit a square peg into a round hole a little bit. Um, you know, so you know, I I don't want to say that I I don't regret doing it.

SPEAKER_01: 18:08

No.

SPEAKER_00: 18:09

Um, but it it definitely did teach me a little bit more about all right, read, read, read the leaves a little bit more. Like if the world is telling you and and the universe is telling you that might not be the right thing, just take a step back, regardless of your ego and how much you think you can you can shape it, take a step back, reevaluate, look at it again from every direction, uh, before you really kind of pull the trigger.

SPEAKER_02: 18:34

But I'm sure with even the craziness, it was probably fun to do something with your brother. And then also I'm sure he was he appreciated your support as well.

SPEAKER_00: 18:42

Oh, no, I mean, and I yeah, I it was a blast to do. I mean, everything from you know picking out the the menu to the you know your signature cocktails to which beers you were gonna have on tap. I mean, uh yeah, then my my favorite beers are are usually a little more obscure. Um, so it was nice to be able to have my play around my favorite, my favorite beer on tap. I walk in. There's one just literally slid down the bar to me real quick. Yeah, he I always joke it like in Cincinnati, I'm Norm from Chicago. Like I walk in, people are like, Drew. I'm like, yay, yeah. Um, and so I really felt like that there, you know.

SPEAKER_02: 19:19

That feels good though.

SPEAKER_00: 19:20

Yeah, I had my I had my spot, I had my my place to go, and you know, um, it felt it felt good to be contributing back to the city of Cincinnati. Um but yeah, I mean Nick and I have worked together for five thousand years, 30 years. Um, you know, so it's it's our our dynamic uh in in the group is very similar to our dynamic in life uh and and in in the bar and probably any venture that we would go into. Uh I'm the smart one and he's the dumb one. No, okay.

SPEAKER_02: 19:49

Okay, we'll see what he says.

SPEAKER_00: 19:53

Have him have him uh you know his side of it, yeah.

SPEAKER_02: 19:57

Uh a little different. Um you're investing in the next generation through Lache Arts. Yes. Um was there a moment in your own artistic journey that made you realize that every child deserves access to creative expression?

SPEAKER_00: 20:13

Oh, absolutely. Um, yeah, so Lachey Arts was formed because um Lee and I both grew to the grew, went to the school for creative performing arts in Cincinnati, which was a public school, part of the public school system. You cost you nothing to go there. And for us, that was our exposure to the arts. You know, she started there in the fourth grade, I started in the fifth grade, and we went there all the way through high school. Uh Nick, Justin, they they also went there. Um, you know, so for us, we come from fairly modest backgrounds. Right. Um, and we wouldn't have had access to private voice lessons or theater or or you know, four or five hours of dance a day, you know. Though that just wasn't in the cards for us. So had we not had um a a way to do that through through the arts, um, through the performing arts, we we wouldn't have had that education and we wouldn't have had the lives that we've had. Right. Um, so for us it was very important that when we um started, you know, thinking about a nonprofit and what it would look like, that it was accessible to everyone. Um, you know, our our mission and our our mission statement is that, you know, the arts should be accessible to everyone, not just those that can afford it. Um, and and there's so many studies about, you know, how the arts impact kids and their education and and how they view themselves and how they see the world and and work ethic and discipline, all these things. Um, but it also is just you know the the sense of pride that uh a child or a teenager can get from you know having a goal and achieving that goal or having a fear and overcoming it or you know failing and failing and failing. But then after you know, trying to hit that double pirouette multiple, multiple, multiple times, but and then once they get it and you see their face and you see the the pride that they had and and the the fact that they realize I kept working at it and then I was successful at it, those are lessons that that lead forward and into adulthood and and the rest of your lives, regardless of whether you're a performer or not. Yes. Um, and so for us, it was very important that we that we had a way that we could give back uh similar to how people invested in us when we were kids.

SPEAKER_02: 22:26

I always say that educators don't get enough credit. Uh who is a mentor during your childhood or high school that um stands out that you'd like to be like give a shout out or oh I mean I I think for me there were there were a lot of so I'll I'll just put this out there.

SPEAKER_00: 22:45

I was not a good student. I was not, I was a I was a I was a I was a teenage boy.

SPEAKER_01: 22:52

Okay.

SPEAKER_00: 22:53

So I for anybody that I was a douchebag. I I was So what's the difference now?

SPEAKER_02: 22:59

Between then and now more gray hair.

SPEAKER_00: 23:02

That's that's the only difference. Um no, I I think for me, you know, my I didn't understand the gift that I was being given at that point, so I didn't take full advantage of it.

SPEAKER_02: 23:14

Leah, on the other hand, I think she was like five, six seven and eight.

SPEAKER_00: 23:18

Well, this is this is what I want. She she just kind of stoked it up like a sponge. I was kind of there because your mom told you to go. No. Well, no, I I was I was you know, I was a kind of a class. Did you go because Nick was there? No, Nick went there because I was there.

SPEAKER_02: 23:34

Okay, we can he's filling the T.

SPEAKER_00: 23:36

No, I I auditioned first. Yeah, I got in. People were like, Oh my goodness, you know, you're going to the performing art school. And then Nick was like, oh, wait a second. I can do this too. And so you can picture that. Yeah, he uh he auditioned and then got in and then he was like, move out the way. Yeah. Um so I think birthday, too. Oh, yeah. I think that was what you might have. I don't know, my country tis of thee, something. Um but then for me, it it kind of um you know started to take shape as I as I you know got out of the military and got a little discipline and got a little focus. But um my private voice teacher um who actually has worked with Lachey Arts for since we started it, uh Lori Wyatt was probably one of the the biggest um advocates for for me. Um, you know, finding confidence and finding a voice and finding um you know the the you know the the drive uh to to kind of keep singing and and you know for anybody that's an artist, there's there's always a level of insecurity when you go into and you you do something. So I still when I hear myself play back in a recording session or something, I'm still like, oh man, oh um Do you still get nervous when you're right before you go on stage to perform? No, on stage I feel very I feel very at home. I feel very comfortable, I feel very at home. I don't care if there's five people in the audience or 500 people or 5,000. I feel comfortable there. Um, and which kind of goes against the introvert thing that I said before. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But it it and maybe it's because I have you know, you have a social battery. So I give so much of my social battery in those moments that I have to like sit back and like recharge. I don't know. I'm sure, I'm sure there's some therapist listening that's gonna be like, oh what there's a lot to unpack here. Um, but for me, that's yeah, I feel I feel very comfortable, I feel happy, I feel natural on stage. Um, yeah, there's not really nervousness at all. I feel like, hey, this is this is what I do.

SPEAKER_02: 25:41

Performing with 98 degrees is about the group.

SPEAKER_00: 25:45

Yes.

SPEAKER_02: 25:46

But with dancing with the stars, it put you in the spotlight alone.

SPEAKER_00: 25:50

Yes.

SPEAKER_02: 25:51

Um you were judged week after week. How did stepping into that vulnerable vulnerability shape your approach to taking creative risks?

SPEAKER_00: 26:02

Um, honestly, I think so. For everything I had done up to that point, uh, like you said, it was group. It was group, group, group. So there's strength in there's strength in numbers.

SPEAKER_02: 26:11

Yes. Um and confidence too, right? You have more fun in that sense. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00: 26:15

Yeah. So you have somebody that's there. If if you're having a bad day, there's somebody to pick you up. And there's a little bit of that on dance with the stars with your with your pro partner, but it was everything. I mean, it was completely it was completely foreign to to me. Like I had done, you know, our boy band steps.

SPEAKER_01: 26:32

Yes, yes.

SPEAKER_00: 26:33

Very different than the waltz or you know, the cha cha or whatever dance you were doing that week. Um, so for me, I feel like dance with the stars was very important in my in my maturation as a as an artist because it gave me a platform to be like, you know what? You really don't look foolish when you're trying 100%, but when you feel like you're guarded, that's when you look foolish. When you're not invested 100% in something, that is when you you you have a risk of looking foolish. If you go 100%, you try hard, you try hard, and you try hard, at the very least, you gave it everything you had. So I feel like for me, you know, whether it was wearing a sequined shirt or you know, something like that.

SPEAKER_02: 27:17

Sometimes it wasn't like, you know how some people are like, oh, it's not that masculine, ballroom dancing isn't for that. It's like some people feel that way, but you're you know, it's you're pushing through.

SPEAKER_00: 27:27

Yeah, and I feel I feel like they're like it changed the that show has kind of changed that stigma a little bit. Exactly. Exactly. Like there is something very masculine about being able to partner. And um, you know, so I feel like it helped me grow a lot as a as an individual performer. Um, you know, it it it pushed me, it challenged me. It was one of those things that we were talking about about you fail, you fail, you fail, you fail, but then you succeed, and that kind of gives you the confidence to go and do more and more. Um, and that's kind of what that show was for me as well. Um, you know, and I had no idea what I was signing up for either, you know. I signed up for that was still relatively it was the second season, but it was the first, it was the first season that was that format. Um so it was kind of like they had a pilot season that like John O'Hurley and Kelly Monaco and Joe Mack were on. Um, and and I didn't watch it the first season. Leah did. Right. Um, but then once it came around, she was like, Oh yeah, I remember that show. And I was like, Well, maybe it'll pay for our our nursery because Leah was pregnant. Yeah. Um, and then next thing you know, I'm rehearsing eight hours a day, six days a week, you know, pulling muscles, and you know, and then it just keeps going and keep going and keep going. And it kind of helped shape who I was. You know, I had done I had done rent before that, but um Mike Nichols, who, you know, is a famous, famous, famous director, uh, was directing Spam a lot, and he after Dancing with the Stars, he reached out to me about being at Spam a lot and opportunities. Yeah, I mean, so it it it really did kind of change not only how I saw myself as a performer, but also the the the platform and how other people saw me as a performer as well.

SPEAKER_02: 29:10

So did you did you know you were gonna win or did you think you were gonna win, or did you feel it in your bones?

SPEAKER_00: 29:17

I didn't I didn't know. Um, you know, was I the best dancer on the show? No. Um but did I I feel like I outworked everybody, and that's always kind of been part of my mo is like no one's gonna no one's gonna out hustle me. You know, no one's gonna outwork me. Yeah, I mean, I'm not gonna if I'm gonna if I'm gonna fail, I'm gonna fail giving it 100%. Yeah. Um, you know, so for me, you know, once it got down to me and and Jerry Rice as as as the finals, I was like, all right, this this might be this might happen. Yeah, yeah. This might happen. Um But you know, up to that point, I was like, I'd stay. Casey Keebler, you know, who was you know legs for days, like high kicking next to me, and I'm like pulling muscles and um but yeah, it was uh it was it was a it was a great learning uh learning situation for me.

SPEAKER_02: 30:14

It was fun to watch you do your thing and congratulations on that.

SPEAKER_00: 30:18

Yeah, it was only 19 years ago now.

SPEAKER_02: 30:19

Okay, see, and and does Leah take full credit for you winning?

SPEAKER_00: 30:25

Uh yes and no. Um she so I would go, she wouldn't be a part of like the rehearsals up until our our freestyle. Um but after the show, like when the judges would give their critique, and I'd of course get all upset about it and take it personally, she'd be like, they're right. She'd be like, Yeah, your turns do stink, yes, your shoulders do go up. Yes, you do need to learn how to embarrass me.

SPEAKER_02: 30:52

Yeah, basically she's like, get it together. I had a reputation top playing.

SPEAKER_00: 30:56

So um, and then with our freestyle, um, she definitely contributed to that as far as like yeah helping, because that's that wasn't there wasn't a stitch of ballroom in that, right? Um, but yeah, it was it was something that you know it was my whole family was basically involved, you know. Yeah, she was always in the audience, Nick was in the audience, you know. I had people rooting for it.

SPEAKER_01: 31:15

Yeah, to give me credit.

SPEAKER_02: 31:16

I was nice.

SPEAKER_00: 31:17

Like, you were, you know, you, Harold, Angie, everybody was there, you know, cheering beyond.

SPEAKER_02: 31:21

See what happened?

SPEAKER_00: 31:22

I don't know.

SPEAKER_02: 31:24

Okay, so we both have older siblings, right? And I think that two people can grow up in the same household and have like different takes on things, right? So, what's your favorite memory about growing up and what was your biggest challenge as being the younger brother?

SPEAKER_00: 31:44

Well, I think I think there's one thing like growing up as siblings, yeah, you know, but it's another thing growing up as siblings being, you know, either having older, like for me, having an older brother, you're like the same gender gender. Yes, yeah, it is different. You know, so it was like I go in my third grade class and uh Mrs. DeGraffin Reed would, or I guess that was my fourth grade, she'd be like, Nick, Drew, you know, like it's like you're like, all right, I get it, I get it, I get it. And and we we we don't look like twins, but there's there's definitely a resemblance.

SPEAKER_02: 32:14

So um parents do that too. Yes, like my mother would call me Rotten. I'm a I'm a girl.

SPEAKER_00: 32:19

Yeah, yeah. Well, my granny would go through literally every one of the cousins before she gets to somebody's name. Yeah, yeah. Nick, Buck, Jared, you know, yes, you and the blue shirt. Yes, you. Um, you know, so I feel like there there is there is always a little bit of a um an expectation of who you are based on the older sibling. Um, you know, for better or for worse. I mean, if your older sibling is a troublemaker, people are automatically is gonna assume that you're gonna be a troublemaker. Um, you know, in my case, Nick was like like straight A student, like always wanted to make sure he was doing the right thing. I was and then there was you. Yeah. And I was I was more of the the class clown. Like all my teachers liked me. Yeah. Um, and I think it was more of a now Drew.

SPEAKER_01: 33:06

Right.

SPEAKER_00: 33:07

You know you can get you can do better than you can get straight A's.

SPEAKER_03: 33:10

Do better.

SPEAKER_00: 33:10

Yeah. But I just didn't, I didn't, I didn't care. That wasn't what I was there for. I was there for like hanging out with my friends and because I had to, you know. Um, you know, so for me it was always kind of like, and I don't know if that was partially because like I was trying to separate myself and and be my own person, and like, yeah, I don't need to get straight A. See, that that's him.

SPEAKER_01: 33:31

Right.

SPEAKER_00: 33:32

I'm somebody different. Um, but I I mean I I definitely do, you know, we're we're a lot alike in a lot of ways, you know, because we grew up with the same um, you know, kind of upbringing, the same, you know, moral compass, the same, you know, going to church and the same the same things we grew up with.

SPEAKER_02: 33:51

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00: 33:51

Um, but it's amazing how two people that grow up in the same environment can also Yeah, have a different take on things have different takes on things.

SPEAKER_02: 33:59

Um and did you I don't you may I don't think you said your fate do you have a fake memory?

SPEAKER_00: 34:03

Oh like um I mean uh yeah I I mean we we would go camping a lot, um, you know, and there was there was one time that we were Nick and I were exploring in the woods on a camping trip, and he went to jump out onto what would look like an island, like out in the pond, and we were gonna go exploring further out into the into the pond. And it wasn't actually an island, it was just a pile of dry leaves sitting on top of the water. So he went. So he went and he went through, and the leaves kind of were like sucking him down a little bit into the water. Um, and so I just sat there and I laughed at him and watched him dry. No, I didn't um, you know, I I went and got a stick and like you know, reached out for him and and you know, he would grab the stick and came over back over to the land. Um, but it was like things like that. But then it was also like I rode my bike into a lake at one point, you know, and then him laughing at me or or you know, yeah, so much of my my my memories, my core memories clearly are my childhood, but they involve him. I mean, our parents divorced when we were when I was three. Um, and while my dad was always around, um, you know, it was him and I. Yeah. So um, you know, whether it was him breaking my collarbone or, you know, whether it was, you know, him rooting for me and dancing with the stars. So many of my my my memories are are with Nick. Yeah, with him.

SPEAKER_02: 35:33

I love it. Um, you just reminded me of when, so like I said, uh I was one of the dancers with 98 Degrees. And so at the time that we were on tour, it was 98 degrees, InSync, Backstreet Boys, several other groups. Janet was on tour. Um, but and I we had friends that were other dancers in the other uh groups, but they when we I would explain us hanging out all the time, they'd be like, we're not doing that with with them. So we went whitewater rafting.

SPEAKER_00: 36:03

Oh, it's a good thing.

SPEAKER_02: 36:04

And so it was it was uh it's so it's the crew, it's the band, the drummers, and then it's the band, the singers, and then it's the dancers, so it's everybody, and you know, because especially you guys are competitive, and so we were trying to beat them and make sure that because I think some of them were like a level five and all this stuff.

SPEAKER_00: 36:23

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02: 36:24

And then um we were doing well, and then I don't know how is it cap we capsize? Like we went, but like in a number five, yeah, and then like rope was around Leah's neck, and I'm like, oh god.

SPEAKER_00: 36:38

See, I there there's multiple versions of this story floating around. But you know, we we go over the you know, there's a drop and we go over the drop, and then we are the back of our our raft gets stuck back under the waterfall. Yes, so we fill up and then it gets literally flipped and we get spit out and it gets capsized, and then they were laughing. Yeah, you you go out one side of the raft. I think you and I were on went out the same side of the raft. Leah went out the other side of the raft.

SPEAKER_02: 37:10

Something was like wrapped around her neck, you had to go save her, and then you came back. I don't remember that part. Yeah, and then how how good of a swimmer are you? No, okay, and then I don't know how all of them managed to get into other boats, and somehow I'm on top of the big caps I drink. Look at like a homeless person. And then all of a sudden the lady comes over and she's like, you know, you have to get back in the water. And I was like, because you know, Jaws just comes to mind.

SPEAKER_00: 37:37

I'm getting the river.

SPEAKER_02: 37:39

Listen, that's how it came about, the movie.

SPEAKER_00: 37:41

And there are a lot of great whites in the rivers in West Fort.

SPEAKER_02: 37:45

Which darks can get in water that they're not supposed to be in, yes. Uh-huh. And anyway, it was crazy. That's what you remember.

SPEAKER_00: 37:53

No, and and I actually have a VHS tape of our rafting trip of that trip. Um, so we have to pull that out. I have to find a VCR first.

SPEAKER_02: 38:03

Okay, yeah, I know.

SPEAKER_00: 38:04

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02: 38:05

But we're gonna transfer, we're gonna transfer it. Okay, so between music, television, theater, and now home renovation, you're essentially a storyteller across different platforms. What's the common thread in how you approach narrative regardless of the media?

SPEAKER_00: 38:21

I think it's authenticity. Yeah. You know, um, and I'm not a big fan of that that word because I feel like it's over it's overused. Oh, it needs to be authentic and organic. And but it's true. It's it's a lot of what I do is based on who I authentically am. Um you know, who I am on stage with 98 degrees and the way I talk to our audiences and and our fan base, and it's me. I'm uh I'm a smart ass. I I don't hide it. I'm sarcastic. I am, I am just a little bit. Um, you know, so I don't try and be something I'm not. Um and I think that that has taken time to get to the point where, you know, we started out. I was 19, 20, 20, 21 years old. And it was there was a lot of this is the way you're supposed to behave. This is you can't say you have a girlfriend. You I can't do this, you gotta, you gotta have this kind of swagger. Oh, when you know, you guys, we want you guys to be the white Joe to see. And like we were like, whoa. I mean, there are like lots of like trying to figure out who you are. Yeah. Yeah. At this point in my life, I am who I am. And I'm um fairly unapologetic about it at this point, too. Yeah. Um, so that's who I am when I go into a rehearsal process for a show. Uh whether it's live theater, I'm I try and be, I try and be a generous, you know, cast member with my fellow actors and try and be there and be supportive and and uh you know the work ethic, uh that's always gonna be a part of it. Um, but I feel like you know, I'm I'm almost 50 years old and I at this point. Oh, you both gramps over here at this point get your cane out. At this point, I don't have the energy to try and to try and be something I'm not.

SPEAKER_01: 40:10

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_00: 40:11

Um and so I it's it's just trying to be authentic as as who you are and how you approach the story that you're trying to tell. And and so I feel like that's that's probably the biggest thing, just being authentic.

SPEAKER_02: 40:22

Yeah. You have been with Leah since high school. Actually, you kind of met you know a little bit before that, but we met in the fifth grade.

SPEAKER_00: 40:31

But yes, yeah, since high school.

SPEAKER_02: 40:34

Since high school. Um you've both evolved and as artists and individuals. How do you balance staying true to who you were when you first met versus becoming who you're meant to be? Um like your purpose. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00: 40:52

Well, I didn't know who I was when we first met. I mean, I think that's that's uh that's true for most, you know, uh teenagers. Yeah, I mean, and uh and the pressure that they feel now to have to have it all figured out and pick the right college major or you know, put the right thing up on social media. I for the I'm not a fan of social media. It's a beast. I I I don't think it's I don't think it's helpful in in most in most uses and for most people. Uh I think it's actually detrimental. Um so you know, for me at 16 when we started dating, I didn't know who I was. Um and I feel like that is a big part of why we've been able to stay together is because we figured out who we were together and we were supportive of who we were becoming uh at the same time. And and neither of us neither of us put what we wanted to accomplish or what we wanted to do ahead of somebody else. We we were both able to venture off on our own paths and find success on our own, having the support of the other person. Right. Not being like, oh well, you what what what am I gonna do if you go out on the road? Or what are you gonna do if I book this show? It was like, go get it, dude. Live live your life to the fullest, and and I'll be here for you.

SPEAKER_02: 42:10

Like, and that's a true partnership, yeah.

SPEAKER_00: 42:12

And we're as we're each other's biggest cheerleaders to this day. Um, you know, I think we have a mutual lever of artistic respect, but also just like human life respect, um, which I think is is key to any any good relationship, but especially a happy marriage.

SPEAKER_02: 42:29

Yeah. You have two beautiful kids. If Izzy and Huddy, um who is your godson? My godson. Oh, he doesn't care that he's my godson. He's like, hi on Tracy.

SPEAKER_03: 42:44

He does. He does. He does.

SPEAKER_02: 42:45

I love him. Um if Izzy and Huddy remember nothing else about your career, what's the one lesson from your journey, the successes and the setbacks that you hope they carry forward?

SPEAKER_00: 42:58

Honestly, I don't I don't care if they remember anything about my career. Um I just want them to remember who I was when I approached anything. Right. And how I how I try to treat any project I worked on, whether I'm building a a table or whether I'm going on Broadway. I I approach any project with the same work ethic. Like I want to figure it out. I want to I want to do I want to do this project with with as much respect as I can for what it needs to be. Um I want to challenge myself. Um, you know, so it's a it's a it's a very I try to approach everything with a very blue-collar work ethic. Yeah. Like I will grind and grind and grind and grind until I till I figure it out, until I get good at it. Um and that's kind of what what I want them to to remember about me. I don't I don't need them to remember dancing with the stars or that I wanted or you know records or shows or whatever. I just want them to remember how I approach everything that I did with a with a appreciation and a strong work ethic.

SPEAKER_02: 44:06

I love it. You are expanding into a new um HGTV role.

SPEAKER_00: 44:14

Yes.

SPEAKER_02: 44:15

Um you return to HGTV more than once, you know, helping people transform their space. What keeps pulling you back to that work and what can you share about this new chapter?

SPEAKER_00: 44:28

Um, so there's I I can't I can't tell a ton yet. I haven't gotten I haven't gotten the clearance yet to to talk too much about it. Um but I think for me, like the home design, the home renovation, there is a there is a a sense of pride that I found that I got from from doing that for our for our homes. Um that I want to I want to help share with other people. I want other people to be able to feel that same thing. And and also it's expensive. Um not not not everybody can tear down a load-bearing wall and put in a support beam and do all this thing. So finding ways that I can help encourage people um to to challenge themselves to not be daunted or intimidated by you know projects. Right. Um, you know, so for me, there is a a chapter of or or a part of who I am that feels the most comfortable doing those things.

SPEAKER_03: 45:23

Okay.

SPEAKER_00: 45:24

Um, you know, I love working with my hands. I love seeing the before and after. I love having a problem and fixing it. Um it's rewarding. Yeah, it is very rewarding. Um, you know, so for me, you know, as I go into more of like the the DIY space and as I'm as I'm venturing more into that space, that's kind of what I want other people to feel is that sense of accomplishment and pride for tackling a project um and and just teaching everybody that they too can drew it themselves.

SPEAKER_02: 45:54

Yes. I love it, I love it, I love it. You know that we end each episode with a quote. Is there a particular quote that has helped guide you through your career or your life in general that you'd like to share?

SPEAKER_00: 46:08

Um, so there was a quote that that I had from for it was on my it was my senior quote.

SPEAKER_02: 46:13

Okay.

SPEAKER_00: 46:13

Um like on your yearbook? Yeah. Okay. Yeah. And it's one that that I don't always live, but it's one that I try and remind myself uh fairly regularly of. And it's um man does not cease to play because he grows old. He grows old because he ceases to play. So what I take that to mean is find the joy and the happiness in you know, everything that you can. Yes. You know, because the more you do that, the more you, you know, more joy you find, the younger you're gonna stay, the younger you're gonna feel, the, the more, the more childish exuberance and enthusiasm that you approach things with, yeah, it's it's just going to keep you younger at heart. Um, and as somebody that can feel very serious at times and very, you know, goal-oriented. And um, you know, I I feel like that to me, that quote is a good reminder of how I want to live my life. I want to live my life with childish enthusiasm and the joy that that you know a little kid has. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02: 47:16

I love it. Is there anything that I didn't ask that you want to share?

SPEAKER_00: 47:22

I think I I I have a question for you.

SPEAKER_02: 47:24

Oh.

SPEAKER_00: 47:26

So as you venture into these different chapters of your life, yes, and you try these new things as you know, someone who has written books and a creative director and producer and all these things, what is it that you find that is the common thread that links all of your different chapters?

SPEAKER_02: 47:44

You know, and it's funny because I do, I have so many different things that excite me um that I get excited about. Uh I I want to say that my with anything that I do, I always give 110%. And it reminds me of the uh the advice and the support that my mom always gives me. Um and so that's what I think is the okay, don't make me cry.

SPEAKER_00: 48:15

Mama swing was always gonna come up at some point.

SPEAKER_02: 48:18

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00: 48:19

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01: 48:21

Wait, God, no.

SPEAKER_00: 48:23

No, this is you know, there there's like we were talking about how you're you're you're shaped by people, you know, and how some siblings can have the same environment, but you know, they take different things out of it. You know? So Mama Swain, she yeah, she was always she was always around. She would come to our concerts, she would be there cheering. She's still there cheering. Yeah. You know it.

SPEAKER_02: 48:50

And see, now I'm mad at him for me. But um yeah, I think that that's like the the through line that's always there, like always give 110%. Um, I remember all the things that she says, like even things that don't have to do with business, like you choose your friends, you don't let them choose you. And so I just try to, whatever I do, whether I'm working for someone else or a project for myself, I always want to give 110%. So anyway, this is crazy. Um, so anywho, thank you so much for hanging out with me.

SPEAKER_00: 49:33

My pleasure.

SPEAKER_02: 49:34

And thank you for being here. And keep breaking through because we are just getting started. And so now I gotta go away my tears.

SPEAKER_00: 49:44

Wear them with pride, babe. Wear them with pride.