Nick Jonas on Why He Took on New Gig as Miss America Pageant’s Music Curator (Video)
”It’s a role I really enjoy, when I can kind of sit behind-the-scenes and create the atmosphere by way of music,“ the multihypenate says during a far-ranging interview for TheWrap Magazine’s upcoming Fall TV Preview Issue
Nick Jonas has been very busy this past year with a top-selling album, concert tour, critically acclaimed performance on “Kingdom” and role on Ryan Murphy‘s highly anticipated new series “Scream Queens.”Now the pop phenom adds another gig to his resume: Miss America Pageant’s music curator.
“I oddly have a lot of experience with pageants, having performed with my brothers back in 2007, back in 2009, and then in 2013,” Jonas told executive editor Joseph Kapsch during interview for TheWrap Magazine’s upcoming Fall TV Preview Issue. “I don’t know, for some reason we had a connection to it.”
News of Jonas’ new pageant gig broke during TheWrap’s visit to the set of “Kingdom,” which will take viewers behind-the-scenes of the MMA fighting series in which Jonas stars as Nate Kulina. When asked about the music curator gig, Jonas said he was psyched to take on the task when Dick Clark Productions approached him about being involved with the show.
“They knew I had music-directed and creative-directed Demi Lovato‘s tour last year, and it’s a role I really enjoy, when I can kind of sit behind the scenes and create the atmosphere by way of music.”
Jonas will handpick the music that will accompany not only the swimsuit and evening gown competitions during the show, but also the contestants’ opening number.
“There is a bunch of music that has to be selected for that,” he said. “It’s a carefully selected situation, but it’s going to be good.”
Jonas is set to wrap final week of production on the first 10 episodes of Season 2 of his DirecTV series and is set to perform his catchy new single,”Levels” for the first time live at Sunday’s MTV VMAs.
The 95th Miss America Competition will be broadcast on ABC on Sept. 13 from Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall. This year’s show will be hosted by “The Bachelor’s” Chris Harrison and Brett Eldredge, Taya Kyle, Kevin O’Leary, Amy Purdy and Zendaya have been recruited as judges of the pageant.
Stayed tuned to TheWrap for more of Jonas’ interview on what’s next for Nate on Season 2 of “Kingdom” as he struggles with his fighting career and sexuality. Plus, the singer teases his upcoming MTV VMAs performance of “Levels.” Behind-the-scenes look and interviews with Jonas and the cast of “Kingdom” will be featured in TheWrap Magazine’s First Ever Fall TV Preview issue online and in print.
The Evolution of Nick Jonas: From Purity Ring to Boxing Ring (Photos)
Heavily influenced by soul and R&B, the Nick Jonas of now has come a long way from his teen pop rock.
Island Records
Formed in 2005, The Jonas Brothers consists of New Jersey siblings Kevin, Joe and Nick.
Getty Images
At the height of their success, The Jonas Brothers' self-titled 2007 album sold 1.7 million copies.
Getty Images
Appearances on Disney programs like Miley Cyrus' "Hannah Montana" significantly raised their profile.
Getty Images
"Jo Bros, "as fans called them, coincided with other teen phenomenons like Zac Efron of "High School Musical."
Getty Images
Though a follow up album titled 'Little Bit Longer" didn't move as many copies as the first, it cemented the Jonas Brothers as an act "that could sell out arenas," said Billboard writer Shirley Halperin.
Getty Images
Pursuing solo efforts in 2010, Nick experimented with a new band that played under the moniker "Nick Jonas & The Administration."
ABC Studios
Nick has also returned to his first love: the stage. Starring in productions of "Les Miserables" as a kid, Jonas has returned to Broadway in "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying."
Getty Images
"Nick Jonas & The Administration" flew pretty high, moving about 150,000 copies of their standalone album, per Nielsen SoundScan.
Getty Images
Cementing their pop culture dominance, the boys merited an invite to the Anna Wintour-curated Met Gala, celebrating the designs of Miuccia Prada and Elsa Schiaparelli.
Getty Images
Jonas is shown performing at the 2013 "Miss USA" pageant. It's not secret he likes beauty queens, as his current girlfriend Olivia Culpo holds a few titles.
Getty Images
Nick Jonas hits up the Vanity Fair and FIAT celebration of 'Young Hollywood' during Vanity Fair Campaign Hollywood 2014.
Getty Images
In 2013, Jonas and his brothers paid tribute to radio legend Kidd Kraddick by attending a public memorial for the DJ, who died from complications due to an enlarged heart.
Cooper Neill for Getty Images
The happy -- and hot -- couple in the flesh: Jonas and Olivia Culpo sizzle on-screen in his video for "Jealous" and at various red carpet events.
Getty Images
Always musically inclined, Jonas even moonlights for his pals -- like his 2013 side gigs playing drums for Demi Lovato.
Getty Images
For a new "Kingdom," a new prince: Jonas carved out a whole new body with LA-based trainer Gregg Miele of Heart & Hustle Gym.
DirecTV
Jonas' "Kingdom" character Nate Kulina isn't just the youngest in a boxing dynasty, he's discovering his true sexual identity.
DirecTV
Jonas has said numerous times how proud he is to take on a homosexual character, and treats the storyline with care and responsibility.
DirecTV
Transformation complete: Details magazine documents the powerhouse Jonas has become, a far cry from the mop-topped drummer for the Jonas Brothers.
Details magazine
Island Records "Chains" already has two breakout singles: the eponymous track and "Jealous," a certified Billboard Top 10 hit.
Island Records
At 22, Jonas has a career trajectory that CAA head of music Rob Light says could land Jonas the coveted EGOT: Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards.
Island Records
1 of 21
See the long road from ”Camp Rock“ to ”Kingdom,“ Nick Jonas’ journey from Disney star to sexy solo artist
Heavily influenced by soul and R&B, the Nick Jonas of now has come a long way from his teen pop rock.