IN CONVERSATION WITH JASON DERULO
interview by JANA LETONJA
Jason Derulo is entering his next era mid-motion. Just days ahead of launching The Last Dance World Tour, the global hitmaker has released The Last Dance (Part 1), an eight-track project that captures the energy, emotion, and movement that have defined his career, while signalling what’s still to come. From chart-topping anthems and genre-spanning collaborations to viral moments that reach hundreds of millions worldwide, Jason has mastered the art of reinvention. Now, with Part 2 on the horizon and arenas across the globe waiting, The Last Dance marks both a celebration of an era and the first step into what’s next.
Your career spans massive radio hits, viral moments, and genre-blending collaborations. What do you think has been the key to your longevity?
I think the biggest key is hard work and perseverance. Whenever life tells me no, I say yes. If life says, “Now’s not your time,” I say, “How about tomorrow? How about today?” I just keep knocking on the same doors and putting in the same work ethic I had when I was 15 years old.
Life isn’t about arriving somewhere, it’s about continuing to chase something. Whatever stops growing dies. So I’ve kept that same relentless work ethic and continued striving to be the best version of myself.
The Last Dance (Part 1) feels reflective but still celebratory. Why was this the right moment to pause and look back before moving forward?
With everything I’ve gone through in life, it felt important to look back and celebrate all that I’ve become, from my humble beginnings to breaking the mould and becoming what once felt impossible.
Where I’m from, this wasn’t something a lot of kids even believed was possible. So taking a moment to acknowledge how far I’ve come felt necessary. It’s about honouring the journey first, and then preparing people for the next chapter.
top and trousers EMPORIO ARMANI
shoes TOD’S
You’ve said the album feels like a “last dance with a high school sweetheart,” and talked about this era being shaped by growth, freedom, and reinvention. What did you have to let go of to make space for that?
Honestly, it wasn’t about letting go of anything dramatic. It was a natural progression. I’m not the same person anymore. I don’t go to the same places, dress the same way, or move the same way, and that’s okay.
Growth is freeing. I think we sometimes feel like we have to stay the same person forever. But you can wake up one day and decide to change. That freedom, to say, “Today I’m different,” is powerful. That’s what this era represents for me.
This project arrives in two parts. What does Part 1 represent emotionally compared to what’s coming in Part 2 later this year?
Part 1 is a celebration. Nostalgic, reflective, honouring the past.
Part 2 is the evolution. Emotionally, I want it to feel inspirational. It’s a love letter to anyone who feels like life is holding them back. A lot of that comes from my own journey, writing my book, becoming a father, and feeling a deeper desire for people to accomplish their dreams. That's a part of my life's mission.
As I evolve as an artist, it’s less about me and more about humanity. When people leave my shows now, I want them to leave changed. I speak directly to the audience during the show because I truly believe everyone has a special light. And that light deserves to be shown to the world.
jacket G-STAR
trousers and shoes HAN KJØBENHAVN
Fans get six new songs alongside familiar favourites like Sexy For Me and your reimagining of Complicated. What made you want to revisit and reinterpret alongside brand-new material?
It started with experimentation. I’ve always loved Complicated, so one day I started playing around with it. I’m also really inspired by Afrobeat right now; it’s one of my favourite genres. So I created an Afrobeat version with my friends and told my story through it. It was about blending nostalgia with where I am musically today.
Movement and rhythm have always been central to your music. How does dance influence your sound and music?
Now it’s less about dance specifically and more about performance. When I write, I see myself on stage. I know what people respond to live, what they’ll sing along to, what moments will hit hardest.
That absolutely influences my songwriting. And of course, if I love dancing to something, chances are someone else will too. But more than anything, it’s the performance element that shapes the music now.
full look DOLCE & GABBANA
With tens of billions of streams and over 250 million singles sold, how do you personally define success at this stage of your career?
Success now is growth. It’s evolving and feeling creatively fulfilled.
For a few years, I was very business-focused, especially during and after the pandemic. I was thinking about the future, my family, long-term security. But now I feel free again creatively. Being able to do what I love every day — performing, choreographing, writing — that’s success. Getting paid to do your passion is success. Every day I get to create feels incredible. It's my favorite thing to do.
Social platforms, especially TikTok, have become a huge part of your reach. How do you balance authenticity with strategy in the digital space?
For a while, I put a lot of emphasis on social media. Now, less so because I’m in such a musical headspace. I’m not posting as many funny videos or chasing viral moments. Instead, I’m showing tour clips, the choreography, the behind-the-scenes process. I want people to see the work and the evolution.
There’s still strategy, I’m promoting my music, but it’s aligned with who I am right now. This phase is about showing my growth as a man and as an artist.
jacket G-STAR
trousers and shoes HAN KJØBENHAVN
Being one of the most-followed music artists in the world comes with visibility and pressure. How do you protect your creativity amid constant exposure?
You can’t fully protect your feelings. You can release something you love and the world might not respond. So the key is to keep your head down and focus on the work, not the numbers, not the comments. Get lost in the chase, not the statistics.
I’ve quietly become one of the most successful musicians of all time. Most people wouldn’t guess I’ve sold 250 million records, and I’m okay with that. The real blessing is doing what I love every day and performing in arenas around the world. That’s enough.
As you're in the midst of The Last Dance World Tour, what do you want audiences to feel walking out of the show?
I want them to feel powerful. Inspired. Like they can do anything.
When you watch someone operate at the highest level, like watching Michael Jordan play basketball, that excellence should inspire you in your own field. Watching greatness makes you want to work harder. That’s what I want the show to do. Between the performance, the dancing, the music, and the messages I share on stage, I want people to leave believing they can accomplish absolutely anything.
full look TOD’S
necklace talent’s own
Touring arenas around the world is demanding. How do you stay physically and creatively grounded on the road?
I’m creative every single day. I watch footage from the previous show, we adjust things, refine transitions, make it tighter and smoother. It’s a constantly evolving machine. There’s no shortage of creativity on tour. Every day is about making it better.
As you step into this next creative chapter, what feels different about the way you’re approaching music and life now?
It feels like the beginning again. In the beginning, I made music purely because I loved it. Then, over time, it became about numbers. How do I get another number one? How do I sell millions again?
Now, as an independent artist, my legacy is cemented. I don’t have to chase validation. I’m making music because I love it, just like I did at the start. That’s incredibly freeing. I’m back to creating for the joy of it. The people who want to hear it will hear it. And there's nothing else that's behind it. It's just that I love to do it.
suit EGONLAB
shoes CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN
necklace DOLCE & GABBANA
TEAM CREDITS
talent JASON DERULO
photography DANIEL SARS
styling MAREK BARTEK
mua ELDRIDGE MULLENHOF
production TIMOTHY HOENSON
set design GINI GROOTENBOER
styling assistant DOMINIKA GŁOWACZ
studio TUNGSTEN STUDIO
editor TIMI LETONJA
editorial director & interview JANA LETONJA
cover design ARTHUR ROELOFFZEN
