Mason McNulty

What has your journey from working on shows like Schooled, Teen Wolf, and Modern Family to becoming a recording artist taught you about yourself?

My journey from working on shows like Schooled, Teen Wolf, and Modern Family to becoming a recording artist has taught me a lot about myself. Most importantly, it has taught me that I’m capable of more than I originally thought.

Acting was my first passion, and for a long time, that was where I saw myself. But as I started getting older and music became a bigger part of my life, I realized that I didn’t have to choose between the two. I could tell stories through characters on screen, but I could also tell my own stories through music.

Writing songs has taught me to be more vulnerable and honest with myself. Some of the things I’ve written about came from experiences that were difficult to go through, but turning those emotions into music helped me understand myself and heal.

It has also taught me that growth doesn’t always happen the way you expect it to. What started as simply learning to sing for auditions eventually became something I genuinely love and want to pursue.

Looking back, I think the biggest lesson has been to stay open to where life takes you. I never imagined that something I started as a hobby when I was seven would eventually become another one of my biggest passions. I’m still figuring out where this journey will take me, but I’ve learned to trust myself, keep working, and not be afraid to try something new.

You are about to take on the iconic role of Billy the Kid. What was going through your mind when you found out you had been cast in such a legendary role?

When I found out I had been cast as Billy the Kid in Billy the Kid: Blood and Legend, I was absolutely thrilled. I was incredibly honored to be trusted with such an iconic role. Billy the Kid is a person who became such a huge part of history, so the opportunity to portray someone who actually changed history was beyond anything I ever imagined I would get to play.

I absolutely LOVED playing Billy. It was such an incredible experience getting to step into his world and tell his story from my own perspective as an actor. I really wanted to bring my own interpretation to the character while still honoring the person behind the legend.

There was something very special about taking a historical figure that so many people have an idea of and getting the opportunity to tell his story through my own performance. It challenged me as an actor, pushed me outside of my comfort zone, and gave me an experience I’ll never forget.

When you prepare for a character as complex and iconic as Billy the Kid, how do you make the character your own while still respecting the history behind him?

Preparing to play someone as complex and iconic as Billy the Kid was both intimidating and incredibly exciting. I knew going into it that there was a responsibility that came with playing a real person who had become such a legendary figure. I wanted to respect the history, but at the same time, I knew I couldn’t simply try to recreate someone else’s version of Billy.

For me, the key was finding the human being underneath the legend.

I spent time learning about Billy’s life, his circumstances, the people around him, and the world he lived in. I wanted to understand what may have motivated his choices and what he might have been feeling behind the stories that have been passed down through history. There are so many different versions of Billy the Kid, and that made it even more important for me to find the emotional truth of the character.

Once I had that foundation, I allowed myself to bring my own interpretation to him. I focused on making him feel like a real person rather than simply playing the stereotypical image of an Old West outlaw. I wanted the audience to see his confidence and toughness, but also his vulnerability, his humanity, and the complexity behind his decisions.

I think that’s the balance I was searching for,  honor the history without being trapped by it.

At the end of the day, I wasn’t trying to convince everyone that my version was the definitive Billy the Kid. I wanted to tell his story honestly, respect the legend, and give audiences my perspective on the person behind the name.

That was one of the most rewarding parts of playing him. I got to step into history, but I also got to bring my own voice to it.

Your music seems to be very personal, especially your new single “Someone.” What inspired you to write this song, and what part of your own story did you put into it?

“Someone” came from a really vulnerable place for me. At the time, I was longing for someone I hadn’t even met yet. Someone I believed was out there, but I just didn’t know when our paths would cross.

After some difficult experiences in past relationships, I started questioning whether I would ever find the kind of connection I wanted. But I also realized I didn’t want to settle just because I was lonely.

I wanted someone who might not be perfect to everyone else, but would be perfect for me,  someone who could accept me for who I am and choose me for all of it.

“Someone” became a reminder to myself that I’m worth waiting for that person. I may not know when they’re coming, but I believe that when the time is right, we’ll find each other.

“Someone” is about learning from past relationships and becoming a better person for the right one. What is the biggest lesson you have learned from your own experiences with relationships?

I would say the biggest lesson I have learned is from relationships, you have to be willing to look at yourself and not just the other person. That you can learn from every relationship and learn from the mistakes, the things I could have done differently. The person that I really want to become.

I have also learned that you shouldn’t lose yourself along the way to make a relationship work. But also you shouldn’t settle for something that doesn’t feel right because you don’t want to be alone.

For me, being ready for the right person means becoming the best version of myself.

Your music carries a message about self-improvement, independence, and not settling for less. Is that something you have always believed in, or has it become more important to you as you have grown?

I think it’s something I’ve always believed, but it’s become much more personal as I’ve grown. My relationships and experiences have taught me a lot about who I am, what I want, and the importance of knowing my worth.

I’ve learned that you shouldn’t change yourself or settle just because you’re afraid of being alone. I’m still growing and figuring things out, and that’s what makes my music real. I’m writing about things I’ve actually experienced and learned from.

For me, it’s about becoming a better version of myself and being ready for the right person when they come along.

You have worked with acclaimed producer Kevin Gruft on “Someone.” What was that creative experience like, and how did he influence the final sound of the song?

Working with Kevin Gruft and Agina on “Someone” was an incredible experience. They both really understood what I wanted the song to feel like and helped bring the emotion behind it to life.

Kevin pushed me creatively and helped shape the production, while Agina was also an important part of the creative writing process. Together, they helped take what we had written and turn it into a finished song that sounded bigger and more polished than I imagined.

What I appreciated most was that they allowed me to stay true to myself and the story behind the song. It still feels like my song and my story, but they helped me turn those feelings into something people can hear and connect with.

You have already performed at iconic Los Angeles venues like The Mint and Whisky A Go Go. What goes through your mind when you step on stage compared to when you step in front of a camera?

Oh, WOW…What goes through my head are nerves. But once I step onto the stage and the music starts, I feel nothing but excitement and energy. Getting to have played at those iconic places have been an absolute dream. The feeling of history of who has performed at these iconic places that everyone knows is just beyond words. I can’t wait till I can play at these venues again.

You are known for being a huge horror movie fan and a real “spooky season” enthusiast. If you could create your own horror movie and play any character in it, what would that movie be like?

I’ve always been a huge horror fan, especially when it comes to the darker, psychological side of the genre. If I could create my own horror movie, I’d love to play a serial killer. It would be such a different character from who I am, and that’s exactly what would make it exciting for me as an actor.

I’d want him to be someone who seems completely normal and maybe even likable at first, but as the story unfolds, you start seeing this really disturbing side of him. I’d love for the audience to slowly realize who he really is.

I’d want it to be creepy and psychological, with a lot of twists and suspense rather than just gore. I love movies that get inside your head and stay with you after they’re over.

Honestly, getting to disappear into a character that dark would be a really fun challenge for me. And being a huge “spooky season” person, I’d probably have way too much fun making it.

Looking at everything coming up for you, from “Someone” and your upcoming music to Billy the Kid: Blood and Legend, what is the one thing you are most excited for people to discover about Mason McNulty?

I think what I’m most excited for people to discover is that there’s a lot more to me than just one thing. Acting was my first passion, but music has become such a huge part of who I am, and I’m excited for people to see both sides of me.

I’m still growing, still learning, and still figuring out exactly where this journey is going to take me. But I hope people discover that I’m not afraid to take chances, be vulnerable, and try something new.

Most of all, I want people to discover Mason — not just the actor or the singer, but the person behind both.