“I also think that it…”: Nick Jonas reacts to Camp Rock videos going viral on social media

Nick Jonas has recently seen a resurgence in popularity of the 2008 Disney Channel original movie Camp Rock on various social media platforms. The film, which starred the Jonas Brothers as young aspiring musicians alongside Demi Lovato, has been rediscovered by new generations of fans online. In particular, clips from the film, particularly a scene in which Lovato's character leads a group of campers in a synchronized marching formation complete with dancing, clapping and stomping, have gone viral.

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Jonas, now 31, shared his thoughts on the film's renewed popularity. He acknowledged the film's lasting impact and expressed amusement at seeing clips from it go viral on platforms like TikTok. “I understand the impact that the film had and is having,” Jonas noted, expressing surprise and amusement at the resurgence. Reflecting on one of the most famous scenes, he added with a smile, “I'm going to say 'amusing' because I find it hilarious too. I remember thinking about that one scene in particular, the stomping moment. I remember thinking while I was filming, 'This is really weird.'”

Jonas' acting career has evolved significantly since his Disney debut in Camp Rock and an episode of Hannah Montana in 2007. In his latest film, The Good Half, currently in theaters, he plays Renn Wheeland, a writer who returns to his hometown of Cleveland for his mother's funeral. The film showcases Jonas' dramatic acting skills and highlights his development as an actor.

Alexandra Shipp, who plays Jonas' love interest in The Good Half, also weighed in on the viral Camp Rock moment. Shipp described it as “incredible” and recalled how the film inspired her as a young viewer. “I really want to go to music camp!” she thought when she first saw the film. However, she also humorously mentioned the film's quirks, like the characters walking around with drumsticks, which she found “cool” but kind of nonsensical. “None of it made any sense,” Shipp confirmed.

Reflecting on these confusing aspects of the film, Jonas mentioned that they just “took it” and accepted that it doesn't necessarily have to make sense. He explained that while the primary audience back then was teenagers who may not have cared much about the film's oddities, those same fans are now adults and are looking at the film with a more critical eye. “It's probably the same as if everyone else were rewatching their home videos from high school and college,” Jonas mused. “It is, but for us, it's pretty public.”

The Jonas Brothers reprised their role as Connect 3 in the 2010 sequel Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam, which also starred Lovato. Jonas continues to expand his acting career, with upcoming roles in Power Ballad opposite Paul Rudd, You're Cordially Invited with Reese Witherspoon and Will Ferrell, and a Broadway run in The Last Five Years opposite Adrienne Warren. Alexandra Shipp will next be seen in Violent Ends, Kung Fury 2, and Midnight.

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