AMERICAN IDOL's Jason Castro Comes To B&B, Part Two

In Part One of our interview with Jason Castro, the AMERICAN IDOL finalist discussed overcoming fear, and giving back to others.  In Part Two below, he discusses his appearance on BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL, life lessons learned, and directly addresses those rumors about a fondness for a certain herb. 

We Love Soaps: Do the themes in your album, "Jason Castro," follow your charity work?
Jason Castro: This album is mostly about relationships, and love in many different aspects.  That’s where I’ve been at in life, I’ve been fortunate to be surrounded by so much love.  I was married six months ago, and there are songs about that.  But my current single, “That’s What I’m Here For,” is really about friendship and just being there for somebody. 

We Love Soaps: How did BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL come about for you?
Jason Castro: It came through my label.  They said, “Do you want to go meet with the producers?” I said, “Yeah!” So they invited me to play a couple of songs.  They liked it, and asked me if I wanted to be a part of it.  It’s that simple.  But I asked, “What kind of acting do I have to do?” I’m definitely not cut out to be an actor.  I had considered it before and realized it's not to be.  I don’t think I can be someone else, that just doesn’t sit right with me.  So, it worked out, I got to star as myself.  I always said that was the only way I could act, if I got to be a character just like me.  I have such a respect for actors, and that art.  But I am not that sort of artist.

We Love Soaps: Had you ever watched B&B or any other soaps?
Jason Castro: My memories of soap operas are from being a kid, being on vacation, and turning on the TV.  I was like, “What is going on?” I was eight-years-old so none of it made any sense to me.  But there really aren’t many TV shows that I watch, I don’t watch a lot of TV.  That’s partly because of my schedule, I’m not usually up in the daytime.  Okay, what are these cars doing, taking liberties because of the crash? Oh, sorry.  So no, I don’t watch a lot of daytime TV, but I am honored to be part of one of the longest running TV shows. 

We Love Soaps: Are you just singing, or interacting with the characters?
Jason Castro: I have two or three scenes.  One is just with Oliver (Zach Conroy), just hanging out and talking.  In one I meet his sister (Sarah Brown), in one I meet his girlfriend (Kim Matula), then I sing a song.  I’m just hanging out. 

We Love Soaps: What surprised you the most about being on the set of BOLD & BEAUTIFUL?
Jason Castro: It definitely moves really fast.  I don’t know how they learn all those lines.  You’ll see them sometimes glancing at their scripts between every take.  They are memorizing lines on the spot and creating on the spot. 

We Love Soaps: Given this experience would you appear on B&B or another soap again?
Jason Castro: Oh yeah.  If they would invite me on, Jason Castro is always around.  He’s a good friend. 

We Love Soaps: How many episodes are you appearing in?
Jason Castro: Two episodes. 

We Love Soaps: I have a quote from an interview.  You said, “My biggest fear is wasting my life.”  Can you tell me what that meant?
Jason Castro: It’s a daunting fear.  I don’t want to look back at the end of my life and ask, “What did I do? Did I spend all my time trying to make money? Or was I doing things to change people’s lives? Was my music affecting people? Was I doing whatever I was doing with all my heart?” That’s a big thing for me.  It’s an open ended question, what it looks like to not waste your life.

We Love Soaps: Do you think you're wasting your life now?
Jason Castro: I don’t think  I’m wasting my life now.  Definitely not. 

We Love Soaps: What do you think is the most misunderstood thing about you?
Jason Castro: I don’t do drugs.  That’s a go-to thing that everyone thinks. 

We Love Soaps: Do people think you do?
Jason Castro: Yes.  People like TMZ always mock and make fun.  But even in person. One time I was hanging out on the beach, and someone who obviously didn’t know who I was from AMERICAN IDOL asked if I had any weed.  That gets confused a lot.  But I’m probably as clean as it gets. 

We Love Soaps: Anything else misunderstood in the press?
Jason Castro: Not really. 

We Love Soaps: What’s next for you after B&B?
Jason Castro: We are in the process of scheduling a fall tour.  Details of that will be at JasonCastro.com.  I’m doing lots of writing and lots of recording.  There may be some new music coming out in the next few months.

We Love Soaps: If someone reading this wants to take a step forward creatively in their lives, but is being held back by their fears, what advice would you give them?
Jason Castro: I will tell you the best piece advice I was ever given.  It was from a former manager who always gave great pep talks.  He said, “You’ve got to be undeniable.”  That has stuck with me.  That translates into anything you do.  You’ve got to work hard at it, and be undeniable so that when people see it they can’t refuse it.  It’s one of those things that you strive for.  That’s what I would give to kids.  A lot of people can be good, but you have to be undeniable.  Each person is unique.  There is something in you that makes you different from everybody else.  It’s about finding it, nurturing it, and being you.  Be authentic and real with your passions and chasing those passions.

 Damon L. Jacobs is a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist seeing individuals and couples in New York City at Mental Health Counseling & Marriage And Family Therapy Of New York. He is also the author of "Absolutely Should-less: The Secret to Living the Stress-Free Life You Deserve."