Diane Christiansen thought she’d missed her big break. But the path that opened instead led to a life full of creativity, community, and unexpected fulfillment.
In this episode, Scott Asmar welcomes Diane, his friend, mentor, and acting coach, to reflect on the stories behind her memoir “The Last Real Showgirl: My Sequined 70s on Stage.” She shares how she got her start at 13, fueled by babysitting money and a clear sense of purpose. From that moment on, she poured herself into the work, never waiting to be chosen.
What do you do when the opportunity you’ve been waiting for never comes? Diane opens up about her early audition for the Rockettes and the painful truth she uncovered years later, that her mentor never passed along the callback. It’s a moment that could have defined her differently. Instead, it pushed her toward something else entirely.
Scott and Diane talk about ambition, mentorship, and the winding nature of a creative life. They look at the ways the entertainment industry has shifted, and the parts that haven’t. There’s a sense of perspective here that only comes with time: the kind that sees rejection differently and understands the value of patience.
This conversation is for anyone standing at a crossroads, wondering if the missed chances ever really mattered.
Quotes
- “I don’t think I could have been just like every other girl in the line. I don’t think it was my destiny.” (11:20 | Diane Christiansen)
- “The great author Marianne Williamson says in her book, ‘A Return to Love,’ she said, she finds that grist of your mill the most interesting thing about a person. It’s like, what happened to that person to make them great?” (14:01 | Diane Christiansen)
- “It had a lot to do with ambition. It had a lot to do with wanting to stay in show business and at that level and being paid well and with those kinds of contracts and with the wonderful people that I got to work with.” (16:53 | Diane Christiansen)
- “The things that were difficult, I learned the most from.” (35:01 | Diane Christiansen)
- “It’s always a joy when people apply the skills and run with them.” (37:42 | Diane Christiansen)
Links
Connect with Diane Christiansen:
https://www.instagram.com/the_last_real_showgirl/
https://www.christiansenactingacademy.com/
Connect with Scott Asmar:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottasmar5/
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Are You A Charlotte?
In 1997, actress Kristin Davis’ life was forever changed when she took on the role of Charlotte York in Sex and the City. As we watched Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte navigate relationships in NYC, the show helped push once unacceptable conversation topics out of the shadows and altered the narrative around women and sex. We all saw ourselves in them as they searched for fulfillment in life, sex and friendships. Now, Kristin Davis wants to connect with you, the fans, and share untold stories and all the behind the scenes. Together, with Kristin and special guests, what will begin with Sex and the City will evolve into talks about themes that are still so relevant today. "Are you a Charlotte?" is much more than just rewatching this beloved show, it brings the past and the present together as we talk with heart, humor and of course some optimism.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.