Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Julie and the Phantoms’ Owen Patrick Joyner

Owen Patrick Joyner shines bright as one of the leads of Netflix’s breakout hit, Julie and the Phantoms. The series follows Julie, a young girl who loses her passion for music after the death of her mom, but when the ghosts of three dreamy musicians from 1995 appear in her mom’s old studio, Julie begins to find her way back to her craft. As her friendship with the boys grow, they convince her to create a new band together: Julie and the Phantoms.

Owen’s character, Alex, is the lovable drummer in the group who’s coming to terms with his own passing and navigating life as a spirit.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to catch up with Owen to chat about his career, making the transition from Nickelodeon to Netflix, Julie and the Phantoms, and his hopes for Season 2!

PC: In Julie and the Phantoms, Alex and the rest of Sunset Curve are about to get their big break before they eat something that they shouldn’t have. For you as an actor, what was your big break?
Owen: I’ve been pretty lucky that I had the chance to work. I worked with Nickelodeon for about six years—I did two shows and a pilot with them. I’ve been pretty lucky. Every new show I do feels like a step up. This definitely feels like a different category of show, a different league of show. Every actor wants to be working for Netflix right now…and working with Kenny Ortega doesn’t hurt. [laughs] So I would say Julie and the Phantoms is the biggest step that I’ve taken besides getting my first show.

PC: The show has been well received. Was there a moment on set when you realized you were creating something really special?
Owen: I think that would be the first time we went into bootcamp and when we start hearing the songs. Hearing the songs was huge for me because I was like, “Whoa, they’re really taking their time.” We were watching Kenny go back and forth with three different songs at a time. The amount of collaboration he was willing to give us was kind of crazy, seeing how much he cared, not only about the music, but also every little characteristic within the characters. That’s when we realized that this was bigger than other things. It was cool.

PC: One of the reasons why I think the show works really well is that there’s this natural chemistry and friendship that comes off the screen. How did you all build that bond?
Owen: I don’t want to give Kenny too much credit [laughs], but I’m going to say Kenny again and that eight week bootcamp. We had to learn our own instruments, harmonies, figure out the songs, and record them. We were hanging out together six hours a day for eight weeks. We really did become friends. You have to trust each other so much in a space like that, to be able to collaborate and also take risks with each other.

We’re all actors. We were actors first, so coming together and now being musicians together, not only a band and creating our own sound, we really had to trust each other. Kenny really made a space where it was like, “Hey, if you try things and it fails, it doesn’t matter. What’s important is that you try them, and the most important thing is that there’s no judgement.” I think when our walls came down and we started trusting each other, we became friends, and I think you actually see that on camera.

PC: You can tell that you guys got really close. What’s one fun fact about each of your castmates that fans would be surprised to learn?
Owen: Surprised to learn? I mean, by this point, the fans have really, really figured almost everything out. It’s crazy; they find out things about you, even projects you forgot that you did. I don’t know. Charlie [Gillespie] will eat some insane foods. He’ll eat Eggo waffles with cheese, blueberries, syrups, and Pringles on it. It’s the craziest thing in the world and he loves it. He’ll eat it at three in the morning. He’s a weird guy. Jeremy [Shada] can put down a steak faster than anybody—it’s insane. What about Madison [Reyes]? Oh, Madison is like a walking meme. She’s like a walking TikTok. She’s so in touch with pop culture, it’s insane. It’s the craziest thing in the world. Maybe that comes with being fifteen. She really knows everything.

PC: The show does a fantastic job of shining a light on difficult subject matter in such a sweet and relatable way, which audiences have really resonated with. What storyline of your own character has hit home for you?
Owen: I think his anxiety. I was able to bring that up naturally because I’ve dealt with it since I was little; freaking out when you don’t have control or don’t know everything about your surroundings. Alex has the hardest time dealing with being a ghost and figuring out those issues; he just freaks out and leaves. He wants to know all the answers. I’m pretty similar where if I know everything, if I know all the answers, then I’m comfortable. Until then, I’m going to be nervous all the time.

PC: You were a part of the Nickelodeon family for about six years. What has that transition been like going from that network over to Netflix and being able to tackle these more serious subject matters? What did you learn about yourself being a part of this project?
Owen: That’s such a good question. I feel like the biggest thing was coming from cable and going to Netflix, which is a streaming service. It’s a whole new world. It’s a whole new way of making money for media, so they get their subscription money and then their money goes into their shows. With cable, you make a show and hopefully it brings in a lot of viewers, so you get a lot of ad money and then that’s how your show becomes successful.

It’s been cool from the very start to see the writers and Kenny, obviously. They probably trust Kenny a little bit more than anybody else, but really have artistic freedom and are able to put together the show they want and what they love. Kenny put a part of his soul in this show. That’s what makes Kenny Ortega’s magic; it’s the artistic freedom. That’s been the coolest.

In the show, we talk about death. We talk about sexuality. We talk about things that are nerve-wracking, difficult, and stressful for kids, and put it in a light way. It’s time for that. People really responded well to it and love that they can tackle these topics.

PC: Your character is a part of the LGBTQ+ community and unlike other shows, his storyline isn’t focused about him coming out. What has that meant for you to be a part of that storytelling and that shift?
Owen: I wanted to do whatever was the most respectful and true way to tell this character’s story. I remember Kenny coming up to me and the writers and being like, “We have an idea.” Kenny said, “I don’t want this to be stories that we’ve seen in the past.” I remember him saying, “Alex has always been proud to be himself.” I remember when he said that, it was exciting to me. He’s never ashamed of who he is and leans on the story that if your given family can’t give you that support, then your chosen family is always there. It’s been pretty exciting, and I know the fans have really responded to it and said, “He’s gay. That’s who he is. It doesn’t matter. He has a normal teen relationship and problems, even though they’re ghosts.” I think people respect and enjoy that shift and story.

PC: The fans have really gravitated to this show and they all have their own favorite ships. Which ship is your favorite relationship in the show and why?
Owen: I mean, mine’s obviously Alex and Willie. I’ve got to be Team Willex. I had a blast shooting with Booboo [Stewart]. He’s the coolest dude—he’s one of those guys that’s really, really, really cool and, like, never tries. You can’t figure him out, but he’s the sweetest. He’s the most fun to work with. The guys and I became really good friends with him and had tons of laughs. I had the most film time with him. I hope he comes back. That’s my favorite relationship. Sorry, Juke.

PC: Speaking of Season 2, there are endless possibilities where these storylines could go. Where do you want to see Alex’s storyline head in Season 2?
Owen: I want to see Alex and Willie’s relationship grow into a full-on relationship. I hope that he’s able to be on the good side of things. I know he kind of was in Season 1, but maybe a hundred percent on the good side this time would be pretty cool. Then, Charlie always says that he hopes we have more powers. I’ve been thinking about it and I think it would be cool if we were able to float like Caleb. I think that’s pretty sweet.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Owen: Guilty pleasure TV show? I really, really enjoy The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. That’s one hundred percent my guilty pleasure. I can admit that. I don’t know any of their names, but my friends come over and I’m like, “It’s time.” I only have a group of friends—and you guys know who you are—that I can watch it with. I love it.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Owen: The new Cinderella that came out. It’s not really a guilty pleasure. I’m proud of it. I’m proud that I love it. I really enjoy Lily James. So yeah, the new Cinderella movie.

PC: Favorite book?
Owen: I wish I read a lot of books. I’ve got one that’s really cool that I’ve been reading lately: Channel Kindness, Lady Gaga’s book. It’s really cool. It has little stories and stuff like that.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Owen: You just started something that we won’t be able to finish. Oh my gosh. The musical that got me into everything was Jersey Boys; I saw a national production. The first show that I saw on Broadway was Mean Girls and that was incredible. I really, really love In the Heights. In the Heights is Lin-Manuel Miranda’s first musical. I actually like it more than Hamilton. If there’s something I’m driving down the street and I’m like, “I need to listen to a musical,” I’ll put on In the Heights or Full Monty.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Owen: Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats. I also love Mika.

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Owen: Dove Cameron. Actually, can Neil Patrick Harris do it?

PC: Go-to karaoke song?
Owen: The boys and I did “I Feel Like a Woman,” and that was pretty special. That’s a pretty good go-to. Either that one or “Easy” by the Commodores.

To keep up with Owen, follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Binge-watch Season 1 of Julie and the Phantoms today on Netflix.

Photo Credit: Eike Schroter/Netflix