Some Broadway conversations feel like interviews.

Others feel like exhaling.

That’s exactly what happened when Nasia Thomas joined The Salisha Show (then Black Hair in the Big Leagues) during one of the strangest and most emotionally transformative seasons in recent history.

Recorded during the height of the pandemic, this episode became something much deeper than a conversation about Broadway credits or career milestones.

It became a conversation about:

• slowing down

• healing

• identity

• Black artistry

• natural hair

• activism

• uncertainty

• and learning how to be present when life suddenly stops moving at full speed

And honestly?
Years later, the episode still feels incredibly comforting.

Who Is Nasia Thomas?

Nasia Thomas is one of Broadway’s most radiant and heartfelt performers.

Audiences know her from:

• Ain't Too Proud

• Beautiful: The Carole King Musical

• Caroline, or Change

• concerts and theatrical performances across New York and beyond

But what immediately stands out in this episode isn’t just her talent.

It’s her spirit.

Salisha introduces Nasia by saying she has “the biggest heart” and “so much love in her heart.”

And throughout the episode, that warmth radiates through every conversation.

Broadway Shutdowns and Learning to Slow Down

One of the most fascinating parts of the episode is the setting itself.

Instead of being in New York City hustling through eight shows a week, Nasia reveals she temporarily relocated to Ohio during the pandemic because she craved somewhere slower and quieter.

That detail alone perfectly captures the emotional atmosphere of 2020.

Broadway performers — people used to nonstop movement and stimulation — suddenly found themselves sitting still.

And the conversation beautifully explores what happens in that stillness.

At one point, Nasia reflects:

“Now is the time to just sit with yourself, forgive yourself, heal yourself, and just focus on the right now.”

Honestly?
That quote still hits.

Because the episode captures a collective emotional experience so many people were living through at the time.

Black Hair, Broadway, and Creative Freedom

As always, hair becomes an entry point into much larger conversations.

The episode explores:

• wigs

• styling

• natural hair

• performance aesthetics

• Black beauty culture

• and the freedom that comes from experimentation and self-expression

At one point, Salisha jokes that Nasia introduced her to “a whole new era of hair.”

And honestly, the chemistry between them is so easy and joyful throughout these moments.

The conversation feels like two Broadway girlfriends swapping secrets backstage:

• favorite stylists

• show hair

• protective styles

• beauty discoveries

• and how performance culture intersects with identity

It’s intimate in the best way.

Art as Activism

Another powerful thread running through the episode is activism.

Recorded during a time of social unrest and national reflection, the conversation repeatedly circles back to the role artists play in shaping culture and encouraging civic engagement.

Nasia talks about how many performers were beginning to use their platforms not just for entertainment, but for advocacy and awareness.

And at one point, the message becomes beautifully simple:

“Please vote.”

The sincerity of that moment captures the emotional urgency many artists felt during that season.

Joy, Friendship, and Broadway Sisterhood

One of the most charming aspects of the episode is simply how much Salisha and Nasia clearly adore each other.

There’s laughter.
There’s teasing.
There’s warmth.
There’s vulnerability.

And because of that, the episode never feels performative.

It feels like real friendship.

That authenticity has always been part of what makes The Salisha Show stand out:
the conversations don’t feel transactional.

They feel human.

Why This Episode Still Resonates

Listening back now, this episode feels like a snapshot of a pivotal cultural moment:
Broadway paused.
The world slowed down.
Artists began reevaluating everything.

And in the middle of all that uncertainty, this conversation offered something incredibly grounding:
permission to breathe.

Nasia Thomas reminds listeners that rest, healing, and reflection are not weaknesses.

They’re necessary.

And that message still feels deeply relevant today.

Listen to the Full Episode

Explore more episodes from The Salisha Show featuring Broadway artists, creatives, and cultural voices discussing entertainment, identity, artistry, and healing.

Featured episode:
“Broadway’s Ain’t Too Proud: Nasia Thomas”

Topics include:

• Ain’t Too Proud

• Broadway during the pandemic

• Black hair and beauty

• healing and self-care

• Broadway sisterhood

• natural hair conversations

• activism and voting

• slowing down

• Broadway performers during COVID

• artistry and identity

• emotional wellness

• creative reinvention