Whether portraying iconic historical figures on screen or putting his heart into vulnerable pop anthems, multi-talented artist Mason McNulty is redefining what it means to be a modern storyteller. Known for his recurring roles on hit television series like Schooled and taking on the legendary lead in Billy the Kid: Blood and Legend, McNulty has simultaneously forged a compelling path in the music industry. Following standout releases like “Lessons of Love,” “Dust,” and “Sinner Like Me,” his upcoming single “Someone” showcases an artist coming fully into his own—unfazed by the vulnerability of honest songwriting. In this exclusive interview, McNulty opens up about balancing the worlds of screen and studio, drawing strength from personal healing, and allowing fans to discover the authentic voice behind both the actor and the musician.
Hello Mason McNulty, welcome to About Insider! To begin, could you introduce yourself to our readers and tell us a little about your journey as an actor and recording artist?
Hello, and thank you so much for taking the time to interview me.
My name is Mason McNulty, and I’ve been acting since I was very young. I’ve had the opportunity to work on several movies and television shows, and acting has always been my first passion.
I started singing around the age of seven, originally as a hobby and to help with auditions that required singing. As I got older, singing became a bigger part of my auditions, so we decided to take it more seriously and brought in my vocal coach, Dina. She has helped me grow tremendously as both a singer and a performer.
About two and a half years ago, Deana Alvarez encouraged me to start writing and recording my own music. At the time, I was going through a difficult breakup, and songwriting became a way for me to process those emotions and heal.
I quickly realized how much I loved creating music and expressing things through my songs. Music became another passion alongside acting.
I’m grateful that I get to tell stories in two different ways, through the characters I play and through the music I write. I’m excited to see where both take me.
You have worked across television and film, including your recurring role on Schooled and projects such as Gacy: Serial Killer Next Door. What have these experiences taught you about growing as an actor and finding your own voice on screen?
My journey from working on shows like Schooled and to Gacy: Serial Killer Next Door and becoming a recording artist has taught me that I’m capable of more than I originally thought.
Acting has always been my first passion, but as I’ve grown, I’ve realized I don’t have to choose between acting and music. Acting lets me tell stories through characters, while music lets me tell my own story.
Writing music has also taught me to be more vulnerable and honest with myself. Some of my songs come from difficult experiences, but turning those emotions into music has helped me grow and heal.
The biggest lesson has been to stay open to where life takes me and not be afraid to try something new. I’m still figuring it all out, but I’m excited for what’s next.
You are set to return to the screen in Billy the Kid: Blood and Legend. What drew you to the iconic role of Billy the Kid, and what was the experience of bringing such a well-known historical figure to life?
I am so excited for everyone to see Billy the Kid, Blood and Legend when it comes out in January 2027. The experience of bringing Billy the Kid to life was incredible.
I did a lot of research on Billy the Kid. I did not watch any shows or movies that portrayed him as I wanted to bring Billy the Kid to life with my own perception and eyes. The reason for that is because he played such a pivotal part of history.
Alongside acting, music has become an increasingly important part of your creative journey. What made you decide to explore songwriting and recording, and how does making music differ from acting for you?
As I got older, I started to get more auditions that required me to sing. So I brought my vocal coach Dina into my team to help make my voice stronger. After time and working with me she knew I could go further as an artist. She encouraged me to write a song with Agina and KThrash (Keven Gruft). The timing was perfect because I was going through a really difficult time in my life with relationships that I was in. I decided to give it a try and 2 and half years ago is when Lessons of Love was born.
Music and acting differ for me because I feel like music is more vulnerable. When writing a song, you are putting your own feelings and personal experiences out there where in acting, you are acting out a character that has been made up for you to play or a character of history. You put your own perception on that character but it is not you inner feelings where you can be judged by people.
Your upcoming single, “Someone,” explores the search for genuine connection, self-improvement and lessons learned from past relationships. How personal was the songwriting process, and what do you hope listeners connect with in the song?
Someone” came from a 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.
You have previously released “Lessons of Love,” “Dust,” and “Sinner Like Me.” How do you feel your sound and confidence as an artist have evolved from your first release to “Someone”?
I think my sound and confidence have grown a lot since “Lessons of Love,” “Dust,” and “Sinner Like Me.” When I first started releasing music, I was still figuring out who I was as an artist and learning how to be comfortable putting my own feelings out there.
With “Someone,” I feel much more confident in my voice and in what I want to say. I’m not as afraid to be vulnerable or let people hear a more personal side of me.
Each song has taught me something different, and I can hear that growth when I listen back. I’m still learning and evolving, but “Someone” feels like a much clearer picture of who I am becoming as an artist.
You have said that hearing from fans who relate to your experiences inspires you to write. How important is that connection with your audience when you are creating music or choosing the stories you want to tell?
That connection means so much to me. When someone tells me that they heard one of my songs and it connected with something they’ve been through as well, that’s when I feel like the music really has a purpose.
I write about things I’ve experienced and emotions I’ve felt, so it’s pretty amazing when someone else can hear themselves in those stories. It reminds me that I’m not the only one going through these things.
I don’t necessarily write a song just because I think people will relate to it. I write what feels real to me, and if that honesty helps someone else feel understood or less alone, that’s the biggest reward.
You are currently working toward a larger album rollout while also continuing your acting career. How do you balance these two creative worlds, and what can fans look forward to from you over the coming months?
Balancing music and acting can definitely be a lot, but I honestly love being busy and getting to do both. Acting has always been a huge part of my life, while music has become another way for me to express myself.
Right now, I’m focused on continuing to release new music and working toward a larger album, while also pursuing new acting opportunities. Fans can look forward to more songs, live performances, and hopefully some exciting new projects on screen.
I’m really excited about what’s ahead. I feel like I’m just getting started, and there’s a lot more I want to create and share.
Finally, when you look at everything ahead – from new music to your upcoming film – what is the one thing you are most excited for audiences to discover about Mason McNulty that they may not have seen yet?
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.
You can connect with Mason McNulty through Instagram @mason.mcnulty, Facebook @MasonMcNulty05, TikTok @masonbyson, and Spotify
