Nick Jonas | The Rejections Behind His Biggest Breakthroughs

Nick Jonas | The Rejections Behind His Biggest Breakthroughs

Nick Jonas has spent nearly two decades navigating the highs, lows, and reinventions that come with growing up in public. In this episode of Unfamous, he joins Justin Tranter for an honest conversation about the resilience, creativity, and self-belief that have fueled one of pop culture's most enduring careers. Nick reflects on the pressure of being perceived as a Disney star and Jonas Brother while trying to prove himself as an artist, the fear of rejection that almost kept him from taking bigger swings, and the pivotal moments that led to the breakthrough solo era that produced "Chains" and "Jealous." He shares stories about career-defining collaborations, unexpected setbacks, and the mentors who helped him trust his instincts when everything felt uncertain. The conversation also explores songwriting, acting, Power Ballad with Paul Rudd, the Jonas Brothers Christmas movie, creative ownership, and how Nick continues to evolve as an artist, performer, husband, and father while staying connected to the things that first inspired him. Whether you're building a career, navigating change, or searching for the confidence to bet on yourself, this episode is a masterclass in longevity, reinvention, and turning rejection into momentum. Credits: Unfamous is hosted by Justin Tranter Created by Justin Tranter & Morgan T. Stuart Produced by Justin Tranter & Morgan T. Stuart Written & Researched by Morgan T. Stuart Director: Morgan T. Stuart Co-Director + Cinematographer: Olivia McCrary Audio Engineer: Mike Sabri Camera Assistant: Kolbi Samantha Special thanks to Mark Beavan, Jimmy Knehans, Christopher Young, Holly Farr, Alexis Spangler, Greg Garbowsky and Jeff Raymond. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Rose Gray | From Louder, Please to "Club to Your Arms"

Rose Gray joins Justin Tranter for a conversation about songwriting, collaboration, and the creative journey behind her latest single, "Club to Your Arms." A Critics Choice Brit Award nominee and one of the most exciting voices in modern pop, Rose shares how she built a devoted fanbase through relentless touring, emotional honesty, and a clear artistic vision long before any viral breakthrough arrived. Together, she and Justin unpack their years-long creative partnership, the evolution of Rose's sound, and the story behind one of her most personal songs yet. They discuss the balance between euphoric dance music and raw storytelling, the lessons that come from performing live, finding confidence as an artist, and why trusting your instincts is often the key to making great work. Whether you're an artist, songwriter, creative, or simply someone chasing a dream, this episode offers an honest look at building a career, finding your voice, and creating art that connects. Unfamous is hosted by Justin Tranter Created by Justin Tranter & Morgan T. Stuart Produced by Justin Tranter & Morgan T. Stuart Written & Researched by Morgan T. Stuart Director: Morgan T. Stuart Co-Director + Cinematographer: Olivia McCrary Audio Engineer: Mike Sabri Camera Assistant: Kolbi Samantha Special thanks to Mark Beavan, Jimmy Knehans, Carimei Smith, Matt Luxon, Bryan Kehn and Veronica Sanjines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Katy Perry + Christian Breslauer | Watch It Burn, Feminine Fire, and Why It’s Okay to Be Angry

Katy Perry, Christian Breslauer and Justin Tranter make bold, emotionally driven work. But more importantly, they know what it means to feel something fully and still let it be seen. In this episode of Unfamous, Katy sits down with Justin to talk about their songwriting collaboration on “Band-Aids” and “Watch It Burn” (out 6/25), and how those songs came from a place of vulnerability, intention, and emotional truth. She talks about fear. About anger she had to let herself touch. About the line between what stays with her and what becomes a song. Then Christian joins to follow that feeling into the visuals. How something heard becomes something you can see. How trust shapes what survives. It’s about songwriting, visual storytelling, and staying open long enough to make something honest. And if you’re building anything creative, it offers a real look at how to trust your instincts, work through resistance, and collaborate without losing your voice. If you love pop culture, music, and the real process behind how things get made, this one’s for you. Follow, subscribe, like and comment wherever you watch and listen. Credits: Unfamous is hosted by Justin Tranter Created by Justin Tranter & Morgan T. Stuart Produced by Justin Tranter & Morgan T. Stuart Written & Researched by Morgan T. Stuart Director: Morgan T. Stuart Co-Director + Cinematographer: Olivia McCrary Audio Engineer: Mike Sabri Camera Assistant: Kolbi Samantha Special thanks to Mark Beavan, Jimmy Knehans, Ngoc Hoang-DelVecchio, Bradford Cobb, Cynthia Parkhurst, Rick Henry, and Chloe Forbes. Shout out to Chloe Pappas and Leslie on Patreon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Skylar Grey + Elliott Taylor | Eminem Hits, Bubble Grunge and WASTED POTENTIAL

Skylar Grey and Elliott Taylor collaborate on making music. But more importantly, they’ve built a creative life together. In this episode of Unfamous, Skylar opens up about writing Love The Way You Lie for Eminem and Rihanna alone in a cabin in the woods with no internet, how emotional burnout shaped her new album Wasted Potential, and why some of the darkest creative moments often lead to breakthrough art. If you love songwriting, creative process, and honest conversations about burnout, ambition, collaboration, and emotional honesty, this episode is for you. Unfamous is hosted by Justin Tranter Created by Justin Tranter & Morgan T. Stuart Produced by Justin Tranter & Morgan T. Stuart Written & Researched by Morgan T. Stuart Director: Morgan T. Stuart Co-Director + Cinematographer: Olivia McCrary Audio Engineer: Mike Sabri Camera Assistant: Kolbi Samantha Special thanks to Mark Beavan, Jimmy Knehans, Maria Eilert & Jenisse Sanches. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Bongo ByTheWay + Ant Clemons | Songwriting math, producer psychology + Ye hits

Bongo ByTheWay and Ant Clemons break down the creative chemistry that turned their first session into 11 songs in a single day and eventually led to collaborations with artists like Justin Timberlake, Kanye West, Beyoncé, and more. The conversation dives into songwriting “math,” artist development, ego-free collaboration, surviving the music industry, and why emotional intelligence matters just as much as talent. They also talk about sleeping on floors before breakthrough moments, navigating publishing and samples, learning when to say no, and how trust and repetition sharpen great collaborators over time. Watch on Spotify. Subscribe to Spotify for no ads. Credits: Unfamous is hosted by Justin Tranter Created by Justin Tranter & Morgan T. Stuart Produced by Justin Tranter & Morgan T. Stuart Written & Researched by Morgan T. Stuart Director: Morgan T. Stuart Co-Director + Cinematographer: Olivia McCrary Audio Engineer: Mike Sabri Camera Assistant: Kolbi Samantha Special thanks to Mark Beavan, Jimmy Knehans, & Cory Jasin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]