Exclusive Interview: Johnny Orlando Talks ‘The Ride: Part 2,’ Touring, His Fans, and New Music

Toronto-born singer, songwriter, and actor Johnny Orlando has rapidly emerged as one of the voices of his generation. With over 3.3 billion streams, Johnny’s impact has reached a global scale, earning him JUNO nominations for Breakthrough Artist of the Year and Pop Album. He has also won the MTV Europe Music Award for Best Canadian Act for four consecutive years.

This fall, Johnny released his highly anticipated new project, The Ride: Part 2, which features the pop masterpiece “Party For Two” and the introspective “Man Like Me.”

Pop Culturalist was fortunate enough to speak with Johnny recently about The Ride: Part 2, life on the road, his deep appreciation for his fans, his journey in the industry, and the new music on the way.

PC: It was your sister who initially brought up the idea of making a cover, which started this whole journey for you. Do you remember what you felt in that moment when you realized this was the career path you wanted to embark on?
Johnny: I was eight at the time, so I don’t recall that exact feeling, but I do remember when I knew I was going to take it to the next level. I was probably ten or eleven. I was in the kitchen with my dad. He basically said, “Take it to the next level or don’t. You’ve been doing this for a couple of years.” We pooled our money together and got a Nutella brand deal, and that was enough money for us to buy a nice camera. I still have it and use it for all my videos. That was the moment.

I also remember another moment when I saw it all in my head. I thought, “I know what to do,” even though I didn’t. [laughs] There have been a couple of defining moments, and one of them was in that kitchen.

PC: There’s been so much growth in your artistry over the years. What’s played the biggest role in that development?
Johnny: Probably the debut album. It’s the single biggest challenge I’ve ever faced. At the beginning of the album cycle, I was like, “Let’s go. I have my concept. This is going to be my DNA.” Then three months later, I was like, “Holy sh*t. I have no idea what to do. This is so scary. I have one song, and I need however many.” There was so much self-doubt. But I talked it out with Darian (my older sister), and we kept pushing. I was able to do something that I never thought I’d be able to do, and I love the music. That was a big win. It helped with the process of Ride and everything we’ve done this year.

PC: Speaking of The Ride, you just released Part 2, and there’s so much vulnerability in all of your music, but particularly this body of work. How much does knowing the impact your music is having on fans fuel you to continue to be so open? How easy is it for you to tap into that vulnerability in a writing session?
Johnny: It’s very important. “Coping” was the song that solidified that for me. When I’m in the studio, I’m thinking about the live show. I’m also thinking about how people will respond to the song, but it’s more about the live show and what I want people to feel. That’s the question I ask myself the most.

PC: What is that writing process like for you? Do you head into a session knowing how many songs you want to write? Is there a particular vibe? How has that changed over time?
Johnny: It’s usually just one. We have a pretty long process. I like to leave the day with something that’s at least half complete. I don’t expect a great mix, but a decent one. The production shouldn’t be completely finished, but it should be mostly there. We usually end up doing one song. I’m not a freestyle writer at all, not with the words anyway. I feel like the best thing for me in a writing session is to let things happen, at least for me. There are a lot of people that talk about creativity as a force that flows through you. I do agree with that to a certain point.

Sometimes we go into a writing session and get absolutely nothing. That’s fine because it’s fun to hang out, and maybe you learn something or maybe you really like the producer, and then you go again. You have to let things flow out of you.

PC: Of all the music that you’ve released thus far, if you had to pick one song that best encompasses who you are as an artist, which would it be and why?
Johnny: That’s a good question. Probably “Party For Two.” I’m not sure if that’s true, but I really like that song. It’s the vibe that I’ve been trying to make for so many years. I’ve been trying to write that song. That’s a weird thing to say, but that session was the perfect storm. It was me, Darian, and Soran. There was no one there just to be the writer, which often changes things. Soran is the coolest guy ever. So Darian and I were the pop influences in the room, but mainly her because I was like, “I don’t want to make pop today. I just want to make whatever.” I just think it’s a really cool song.

PC: Having been on this journey for over a decade now, what’s been the most surprising part? Is there a moment that stands out?
Johnny: All of it, to be honest. Every mainstream success I’ve ever had is a complete and utter shock. We’ve done the work to get here, but I always say that Darian and I brute forced it. [laughs]. There are so many people who blow up overnight or over the course of a year, but that wasn’t the case for us. We learned a lot along the way.

It’s all so weird to me still. The first arena show that I ever did, walking onto the stage was one of the scariest moments of my life. I was out of breath for like ten minutes. But I also did a meeting with Apple Music, and there were all these big U.S. executives. I was just as scared as I was when I did my first arena show. Anything where I’m on a big stage or being recognized in a large capacity is scary to me. It’s all so weird. [laughs] Even the Toronto show that I just did felt huge. All my friends, family, and label people were there, and it was awesome. I was so excited, but I was so scared. I had this imposter syndrome that I never really get. I was like, “Can I do this?” It’s just about putting one foot forward.

PC: Is it even more satisfying knowing how much work you’ve put in and seeing the reaction from the fans and how much your music has meant to them?
Johnny: The second part, yes. The first part, no. I could have blown up yesterday, and I would still love and appreciate the people who got me there equally. There are deeper bonds for sure. There are people that I’ve watched grow up, which is really cool. We were both thirteen at one time, and now they’re going to school.

I’m going to cry. This girl, Layla, sent me her college entrance essay. It was such a full-circle moment for me. She’s come to every show since we were fourteen or fifteen, and now she’s going to school.

PC: You’re getting ready for the Asian leg of your tour, how much do you use the live stage to test out new material?
Johnny: It’s the final test. There are some songs that sound so much better. I like “When I’m Gone,” but the live version of that song, I don’t know if it’s the arrangement or what it is, but it hits so hard. It’s so fun to play every night. It’s not my biggest song nor is it one that I thought would be anything special, but it’s so awesome to play live.

Then “Leave the Light On” is not as fun to perform, even though it’s a song that people love more than “When I’m Gone.” It’s very poppy. It’s still fun, but it’s less fun than I thought it was going to be.

PC: I know that you just released The Ride: Part 2, but have you started writing the next body of work? What can fans expect from you in 2024?
Johnny: We never stop writing. I go through these phases where for like two months, all I can do is write. The last time this happened was at the beginning of the year. It’s actually every winter. I guess I’m going to start writing a bunch after we get back from Asia. [laughs] I’m starting to get a handle on what it’ll sound like.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Johnny: I would say rap, but that’s probably not surprising. I listen to a lot of stuff. Maybe Deftones? But everyone is going back and listening to older stuff.

PC: First album you ever bought or streamed?
Johnny: 2014 Forest Hills Drive by J. Cole. I know every word to that album.

PC: First concert you attended?
Johnny: Taylor Swift. It was either the Red tour or 1989. I left that venue a Taylor Swift fan.

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Johnny: Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd. I would listen to it once through every night before I went to bed right after my breakup. It made me think of music in a different way. I always wondered how they produced this because I’ve never heard that sound before, which is something you don’t really get a lot of. It came out 50 years ago and it’s still one of the best albums of all time. “The Great Gig in the Sky” is probably my favorite song from the emotions in the vocals to all the weird choices that people shouldn’t be making that they did.

PC: A venue on your bucket list?
Johnny: Massey Hall in Toronto.

PC: A must-have on the road?
Johnny: My pillow.

To keep up with Johnny, follow him on Twitter, Instagram, Spotify, and Apple Music.