How Much Do Looks Matter in Acting? Casting, Diversity, and the Modern Actor

THIS IS A SEGMENT FROM AN EXCLUSIVE PATREON EPISODE

We start in an existential rabbit hole talking about dead stars and The Great Year (watch Joshua’s visible frustration on YouTube) but quickly course correct in this un-PC episode, where we dive deep into the intersection of talent, appearance, and inclusivity in Hollywood and beyond.

We share personal stories of losing roles based on their looks—Joshua’s Broadway weight-loss ultimatum and Mike’s take on why diversity in casting still favors people who look like models. Together, they unpack the paradox: is Hollywood moving toward authenticity or still clinging to aspirational beauty? Does representation include a broader range of appearances, or is it just a rebrand of the same old standards? With humor, tough love, and a lot of disagreement along the way, they ask the hard questions about whether the industry’s push for relevance is working and whether actors can ever take "looks-based" casting personally. Spoiler: Mike’s offer to be Joshua’s stylist might be the funniest part of the episode.

This is the episode you’ll only get on Patreon. Don’t miss it.

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“CREATIVE RISK”, is a new podcast hosted by actors Joshua Morgan and Mike Labbadia of Artist’s Strategy where they explore all things art, entrepreneurialism and everything in between. The acting industry is more volatile and competitive than ever before, therefore the artist must evolve in order to take radical ownership over their creative businesses. Each episode, Mike and Joshua will get raw and unfiltered, giving hot takes and cutting edge strategies on how to build a sustainable career in the arts.