LZ interviews West End leading man Bradley Jaden, recently seen as Inspector Javert in Les Misérables: The Arena Concert at Radio City Music Hall, about the show’s renewed impact and Jaden’s approach to portraying Javert with increasing vulnerability and a visible “slow demise.” 

Jaden discusses moving to New York and feeling lonely and overwhelmed by the sudden shift in attention, navigating introversion in an extrovert-facing career, losing significant weight after being told it would help his success, and living with body dysmorphia. He shares surviving a suicide attempt and how Les Mis has been therapeutic, enabling open conversations about men’s mental health. 

They also cover his asthma as a childhood challenge that became a “superpower,” his stage name’s origin, his support network, and end with a brief lyric exchange and Jaden’s statement, “I… am beautiful because… I love deep.”

Menu:

  • 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
  • 01:23 Mirror Check In
  • 03:44 Les Mis Resurgence
  • 05:02 New York Adjustment
  • 09:09 Introvert in Spotlight
  • 10:16 Weight and Image Pressure
  • 13:57 Stage Name Origin
  • 15:09 Career Gratitude and Growth
  • 18:53 Support Network and Mentors
  • 24:57 Why His Javert Hits Different
  • 26:58 Javert Foundations and Auditions
  • 31:57 Mental Health and Method
  • 41:30 Audience Connection and Purpose
  • 43:30 No Singing Lessons Reveal
  • 44:01 No Sheet Music Needed
  • 44:51 Finding Purpose in Small Wins
  • 45:24 First Auditions and Miss Saigon Break
  • 47:12 Les Mis Praise and Afterglow
  • 48:09 Google Rumors and Relationship Truth
  • 50:17 Learning Self Love
  • 50:39 Five Things I Like About Me
  • 53:58 Asthma Turned Superpower
  • 55:58 Rapid Fire Broadway Picks
  • 59:15 Singing Challenge and Stars Tease
  • 01:05:58 Heartfelt Wrap Up and Beautiful Because

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