What happens when you drop everything overnight and get whisked away into the high-stakes world of global pop star training? 

In this episode of Charmed, host Sam Todd sits down with Ezrela for her first official big interview following her journey as the only Australian contestant on Dream Academy. 

Ezrela opens up about what really happens when you chase a dream on a global stage - from keeping her audition success a secret and uprooting her life with just one suitcase, to navigating 2 AM patio workouts in the dark, bunk-bed sisterhood, flying to Korea, recording at the HYBE building and the bittersweet reality of TV screen eliminations. 

They unpack the emotional weight of global fandoms, carrying cross-cultural representation for Australia and India, and why stepping away from the training system ultimately helped her find her true artistic identity. 

Plus, Ezrela reflects on reuniting with the KATSEYE girls in Australia, her lifelong love for Bollywood and Y2K nostalgia and how learning five languages helped her stay connected to everyone around her. 

Charmed, with Sam Todd. Stories worn to tell, with Pandora. 

THE END BITS

Follow Sam Todd on instagram/ TikTok @SamTodd

HOSTED BY: Sam Todd 

PRODUCED BY: Sally Best 

DOP: Becky Lillyman

VIDEO EDITOR: Toby Biggins-Gilchrist

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Shauna Anderson

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Land on which we have recorded this podcast.

What happens when you drop everything overnight and get whisked away into the high-stakes world of global pop star training?&nbsp;
In this episode of Charmed, host Sam Todd sits down with Ezrela for her first official big interview following her journey as the only Australian contestant on Dream Academy.&nbsp;
Ezrela opens up about what really happens when you chase a dream on a global stage - from keeping her audition success a secret and uprooting her life with just one suitcase, to navigating 2 AM patio workouts in the dark, bunk-bed sisterhood, flying to Korea, recording at the HYBE building and the bittersweet reality of TV screen eliminations.&nbsp;
They unpack the emotional weight of global fandoms, carrying cross-cultural representation for Australia and India, and why stepping away from the training system ultimately helped her find her true artistic identity.&nbsp;
Plus, Ezrela reflects on reuniting with the KATSEYE girls in Australia, her lifelong love for Bollywood and Y2K nostalgia and how learning five languages helped her stay connected to everyone around her.&nbsp;
Charmed, with Sam Todd. Stories worn to tell, with Pandora.&nbsp;
THE END BITS
Follow Sam Todd on instagram/ TikTok @SamTodd
HOSTED BY: Sam Todd&nbsp;
PRODUCED BY: Sally Best&nbsp;
DOP: Becky Lillyman
VIDEO EDITOR: Toby Biggins-Gilchrist
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Shauna Anderson
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Land on which we have recorded this podcast.

Hosted by Sam Todd, Charmed is a podcast about collecting, nostalgia, pop culture and the personal stories behind the things we treasure.

Warm, funny and a little bit obsessed, Charmed celebrates the emotional pull of the small stuff - the lucky charms, sentimental jewellery, childhood souvenirs, irrational purchases and tiny treasures that somehow become part of who we are.

Ever kept a concert ticket for years? Held onto a charm because it reminds you of someone? Refused to part with a childhood toy, a Disney pin, a friendship bracelet or a tiny piece of merch that means way more than it probably should?

That’s where Charmed begins: with Sam stepping inside the worlds of collecting, nostalgia and personal obsession to uncover the stories behind the things people keep close.

Each episode explores a different collecting world - from Disney and fashion archives to fandom, pop culture, toys and accessories - and Sam isn’t doing it alone. She’s joined by familiar faces from each of these worlds, unpacking the pieces they treasure most and the memories tucked inside them.

It’s whimsical, nostalgic in all the right ways, and made for anyone who knows the smallest things can hold the biggest stories.

Because sometimes we collect things. And sometimes, what we’re really collecting are memories.

Follow Sam at @samtodd

Hosted by Sam Todd, Charmed is a podcast about collecting, nostalgia, pop culture and the personal stories behind the things we treasure.
Warm, funny and a little bit obsessed, Charmed celebrates the emotional pull of the small stuff - the lucky charms, sentimental jewellery, childhood souvenirs, irrational purchases and tiny treasures that somehow become part of who we are.
Ever kept a concert ticket for years? Held onto a charm because it reminds you of someone? Refused to part with a childhood toy, a Disney pin, a friendship bracelet or a tiny piece of merch that means way more than it probably should?
That&rsquo;s where Charmed begins: with Sam stepping inside the worlds of collecting, nostalgia and personal obsession to uncover the stories behind the things people keep close.
Each episode explores a different collecting world - from Disney and fashion archives to fandom, pop culture, toys and accessories - and Sam isn&rsquo;t doing it alone. She&rsquo;s joined by familiar faces from each of these worlds, unpacking the pieces they treasure most and the memories tucked inside them.
It&rsquo;s whimsical, nostalgic in all the right ways, and made for anyone who knows the smallest things can hold the biggest stories.
Because sometimes we collect things. And sometimes, what we&rsquo;re really collecting are memories.
Follow Sam at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/samtodd">@samtodd</a>

Charmed

Dream Academy’s Ezrela on K-Pop trainee life, bonding with KATSEYE & her sentimental keepsakes

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/b628aed9-7ba0-4fff-9869-b4f600360888/transcript