COVER STORY | JAMES MASLOW BACK TO BUSINESS After singing and acting in the Nickelodeon series Big Time Rush to making the finals inDancing with the Stars, JAMES MASLOW is now tackling the exciting world of drama. BY MEGAN PORTORREAL Photographer: QUAVONDO Stylist: SHERAH JONES Makeup/Hair: LYSETTE CASTELLANOS Belt TRU MAKER Watch ROLEX Shirt AZUL BY MOUSSY Blazer RON TOMSON Tie RNT23 Pant JACOB DAVIS 88 | DEC 2014/JAN 2015 DEC 2014/JAN 2015 | 89 COVER STORY | JAMES MASLOW hen James Maslow show, perhaps what he took away the most is to never doubt first auditioned for the yourself and to just have fun. “You know, you prepare, prepare, funny Nickelodeon prepare,” he says, “but when it comes time to perform, I learned show Big Time Rush to just have fun. That’s something I’ve always tried to do and back in 2007 when that experience really reminded me of that because if you’re he was only 17 years not enjoying it, it’s going to show, and that’s when you’re going old, he didn’t predict to screw up. If you just go out there and have fun and trust that it would take off as your partner and your preparation is going to work, it usually quickly as it did. In does.” fact, I didn’t either. I was a freshman in college by the time Since his run on Dancing with the Stars ended in Wthe show aired in 2009 (two years, four screen tests, and a May (he finished in fourth place), Maslow has fully turned his couple pilots later) and when I caught wind of the new live- attention to acting, particularly in the original series Sequestered action television show, I was intrigued, as were millions of and a new Lifetime movie, Seeds of Yesterday (based off of others—in fact, the official debut episode drew in more than the V. C. Andrews novel of the same name). Sequestered, 6.8 million viewers. The next thing which premiered this previous August I knew, Big Time Rush merchandise on Crackle, is a suspenseful drama was everywhere, concerts were following the trial of Malcolm Miller, selling out left and right, and the band “As much as I a man accused of kidnapping and was playing in the middle of Times murdering the governor’s daughter, Square—a dream venue for every and the jury that is given the difficult singer/songwriter... ever. love comedy, task of deciding Miller’s fate. Threats, “Not only did they have us conspiracy, and tangled webs ensue. play that concert in the rain, which I’m passionate “Filming Sequestered was fun,” made it feel like such an epic rock Maslow says about the experience. moment,” Maslow recalls when I ask about doing He plays the character Kevin Mohr, a him for his favorite BTR memory, “young, cocky billionaire” who’s a bit “but they also had us broadcasted on more dramatic “over-the-top” and maybe a little too every major screen in the area. It was confident. our first show, and was a pretty cool “I only filmed for a short period way to kick off the band.” roles in the of time, and I hope, if we do a second “I Although I might have just season, that I get to film more because missed the Big Time Rush fandom near future.” it was so much fun playing Kevin. I phenomenon age bracket (had I only kind of felt like I was channeling Ari been a few years younger, I would have had posters of the Gold from Entourage at times,” he laughs. JUST group hanging on my bedroom walls), one thing was obvious: Aside from getting the chance to play such a dramatic Maslow was special. Now 24 years old, with perfectly toned character, Maslow also enjoyed filming with his co-star, Jessie arms, covetable brown hair, and a dazzling, white-toothed Bradford, who plays Danny Firmin. “Jessie is great and it smile, the singer/songwriter (and now movie actor) is adored was so cool to meet him and get to know him,” Maslow says. WANT by over 3 million Twitter fans and counting—a number that “We’re still friends. I hope he and I get to act a little more skyrocketed during his time on ABC’s hit dance competition together in the future.” show, Dancing with the Stars, earlier this year. Seeds of Yesterday, Maslow’s first feature film outside “I felt really lucky to have been on the show and of BTR, is also quite the drama. The Lifetime production follows TO to have had such a great dance partner,” Maslow says of the the plot of the fourth book in V. C. Andrews’ Dollanganger beautiful Peta Murgatroyd, who has been dancing on the show series and touches upon Andrews’ recurring themes of family Bag ECCO for seven seasons now. Together, Maslow and Murgatroyd’s secrets, love, and loss. Blazer RNT23 chemistry was electric, and Maslow’s fans flocked to Twitter “It was an interesting experience because it was one Hat GOORIN BROS. ENJOY Shirt AZUL BY MOUSSY to express their love for the duo. Ever since, Maslow and of the darkest roles I ever played,” Maslow explains of the film. Mugatroyd have become dear friends. “It’s very exciting. I looked at this film as an opportunity to do Pant NEUW JEANS While Maslow learned a lot during his time on the something different and show my fans and the rest of the world LIFE.” 90 | DEC 2014/JAN 2015 DEC 2014/JAN 2015 | 91 COVER STORY | JAMES MASLOW that I can do something other than comedy. As much as I love to do whatever I want,” he says further, admiring the freedom comedy,” he reassures me, “I’m passionate about doing more of it. dramatic roles in the near future.” By now, I start to realize: singing, acting, dancing… Not only did V. C. Andrews’ status of a New York Times what doesn’t this guy do? I prod: what about Broadway? bestselling author draw him to his role in Seeds of Yesterday, “I love theater!” he says. “I grew up in theater. I think but he was also excited about joining the cast. “I loved working it would be amazing to go to New York and do a three- or six- with Heather Graham, Rachael Carpani, and Jason Lewis,” he month run someday.” says. “It’s really great to work with new people and I’m very Broadway—without a doubt—would be perfect for blessed to have a cast that was as passionate as doing a great the 24-year-old, who could make use of his plethora of skills job as I was.” all at once and easily sell out shows, like he did while on tour Speaking of passion, when asked if he was more with Big Time Rush. It’s safe to say that we both realize it’s passionate about singing—be it solo or in a group—or acting, only a matter of time. Maslow pauses. “I’m passionate about both, so it’s hard to pick just one,” he says after some thought. “At the moment, I’m e chat again briefly one evening after our busier with acting, between having just filmed Sequestered photo shoot, and when he calls, I can hear and Seeds of Yesterday, and now I’m filming another movie, train whistles blowing in the background. Wild for the Night, so acting’s my priority. However, I’ve been He wasn’t lying when he said he is always singing for the longest, so I try to prioritize one at a time to do on the move. “I just left the set of Wild for each very well.” the Night,” he explains. “So far, it’s great. While on the subject of priorities, it’s obvious fitness I’m so excited for this film.” is high up on his list as well. After all, sculpted abs don’t just W The film, directed by Benny Boom, happen over night, no matter how much we wish they did. So is an indie thriller following Maslow’s character, Wyatt, a man what’s his secret? seeking revenge for his sister’s murder. Since filming began, “Exercise to me is a priority every day, or at least Maslow has been keeping his fans updated by posting in- four or five times a week,” he explains. “It’s a lifestyle.” Apart character selfies and cast photos on his Twitter page. The film is from simply looking great, Maslow projected to release sometime in 2015. also says exercising makes him feel With the New Year on both our great. There’s a great confidence, he minds, I ask Maslow if he has a special believes, that comes along with it. resolution for 2015. He pauses for Aware that staying fit requires much “I couldn’t a moment to consider this. “I want discipline, Maslow dedicates time to learn to allocate more time to my to exercise before or after working, be happier friends and family,” he says sincerely. which is usually either really early “As passionate as I am about work, I in the morning or really late at night. realized it’s important to enjoy some “It’s harder to work out when filming,” with how downtime, too, and to make more time Maslow laughs, “but I try to make for them. I just want to enjoy life.” time.” this year has Before he speeds off into the night, For the future, Maslow hopes he admits that although the future is to release new music; he cites John compelling, sometimes it can be a very Legend as musical inspiration and come scary thing.