Jonas Brothers Reflect on Breakup: ‘We Were Having Such a Difficult Time — The Split Needed to Happen’…see more…
In a candid new interview, the Jonas Brothers — Kevin, Joe, and Nick — opened up about the emotional and professional turmoil that led to their band’s 2013 breakup, revealing that the decision, while painful, was essential for their growth as individuals and artists. The trio, who have since reunited and are enjoying renewed success, say that time apart helped them heal personal rifts and rediscover the joy of making music together.
“We were having such a difficult time,” Joe Jonas said during the sit-down conversation. “We weren’t communicating well, we weren’t connecting as brothers, and the pressure just kept building. Eventually, it all came to a head.”
The Jonas Brothers rose to fame in the mid-2000s as teen heartthrobs under the Disney umbrella, propelled by hits like “S.O.S.,” “Burnin’ Up,” and their starring roles in Camp Rock and Jonas. But behind the scenes, the band was grappling with intense schedules, creative differences, and the weight of their public image.
Nick Jonas, who was the youngest of the trio and only 20 years old when the band broke up, admits he was the one who initiated the conversation about calling it quits.
“I remember sitting my brothers down and just saying, ‘I can’t do this anymore,’” Nick recalled. “I felt guilty and scared, but I knew that if we kept pushing forward the way things were, we were going to burn out completely — both personally and professionally.”
That moment triggered what the brothers now call one of the toughest periods of their lives. They were not only walking away from a successful band, but also from the tight bond they had built since childhood. Kevin Jonas, the eldest, described the aftermath as “a grieving process.”
“For a while, we didn’t really talk,” Kevin said. “We each went our separate ways. Joe was working on his solo music, Nick was diving into acting and his own projects, and I started a family. It was strange and painful not having that daily connection.”
Joe launched his funk-pop band DNCE, scoring a hit with “Cake by the Ocean.” Nick found success as a solo artist with tracks like “Jealous” and starred in projects like Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. Kevin shifted his focus to business ventures and fatherhood.
Despite their individual achievements, the absence of the band — and each other — lingered.
“We never stopped being brothers, but the relationship needed healing,” Nick admitted. “That time apart helped us mature. We each had space to figure out who we were without the band, and eventually that led us back to a healthier place.”
The turning point came in 2018, when the brothers began to casually hang out again, initially without the intention of reuniting musically. But the chemistry was still there.
“We started playing music again, just for fun,” Joe said. “No pressure, no deadlines. And something clicked. We realized we missed it — not just the music, but the camaraderie.”
In 2019, they officially reunited with the release of “Sucker,” which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 — their first chart-topper. Their comeback album Happiness Begins followed, along with a massive world tour and a documentary, Chasing Happiness, that chronicled their journey.
The band’s reconciliation wasn’t just about business. It was about rebuilding trust.
“Reuniting required honesty,” Kevin explained. “We talked through the issues that led to the breakup, the resentment, the things left unsaid. We had to unlearn some of the old patterns.”
Nick echoed the sentiment, adding that therapy and open communication played a big role. “We’re in a better place now because we’re not afraid to call each other out, to say what we feel, and to listen. That didn’t exist before.”
Now, with multiple tours and new albums under their belt post-reunion, the Jonas Brothers are stronger than ever — not just as a band, but as a family.
“We had to break up to get here,” Joe reflected. “It wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. That time apart made us better artists, better brothers, and better men.”
Their fans, affectionately known as the Jonas Brothers Army, have embraced the new chapter with open arms. The group’s ability to be transparent about their struggles has made their comeback even more meaningful.
“There’s something really powerful about being able to say, ‘Yeah, we messed up. We needed time. And we came back from it,’” Nick said. “Not every band gets that chance.”
Looking ahead, the trio says they’re focused on maintaining balance — between work, family, and their individual interests. They’re currently in the midst of their Five Albums. One Night. tour, which spans their entire discography, celebrating the evolution of their sound and their story.
“We’re not trying to chase trends,” Kevin said. “We’re just trying to be ourselves — three brothers who love making music together.”
And while they admit there will still be challenges — as there are in any close relationship — they’re committed to facing them head-on.
“There’s no manual for this,” Joe added. “But we’ve learned that the most important thing is respect. If we keep that, we’ll be okay.”
For fans who grew up with the Jonas Brothers and for those discovering them now, the band’s journey is a reminder that sometimes, stepping away is the only way to truly come back together.
“We’re not just a band,” Nick conclude
d. “We’re family. And that will always come first.”
