SXSW 2026 Power Ballad red carpet interviews: Nick Jonas talks working with Paul Rudd, John Carney’s vision, and the songwriting process. [VIDEO]
The Power Ballad red carpet at SXSW 2026 was a vibrant celebration of music and storytelling. Directed by John Carney, this film is a rhythmic and emotional journey that explores the heart of the music industry through the lens of two very different artists. Starring Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas, the movie balances high-stakes ambition with the intimate, raw process of creativity, ultimately posing profound questions about what it means to fight for your voice in a crowded room.
The carpet was electric as I had the chance to speak with the talent behind this true masterpiece. I caught up with Paul Rudd to discuss working musically with Nick Jonas and chatted with Peter McDonald about the seed that inspired the film.
I also spent some time with Nick Jonas, who shared his deep admiration for the film’s director and his perspective on representing the life of a professional musician on the big screen.
The Reality of the Music Business
Nick Jonas was incredibly thoughtful about the responsibility of bringing a musician’s world to life and the dream of working with this specific creative team.
A longtime fan of John Carney’s work, Nick was thrilled to finally collaborate with him on this project.
“I’ve been a fan of John’s for so long, going back to Once and Sing Street,” Nick told me. “I think he’s just got such a great understanding of how to tell a story that makes you truly feel something. And the use of music in his films has always been something that struck me”.
For Nick, the film succeeds because it strips away the glamour to show the actual work behind the art.
“I think what this film does so well is it shows the various sides of what it means to be a creative person and what it means when you bring in the factor of the music business and charts and all these other things that become important,” he explained. “But perhaps if you just boiled it down to two people in a room writing a song, what does that mean? And what does that feel like?”.
Nick Jonas on Collaborating with Paul Rudd
Nick couldn’t say enough about his co-star, Paul Rudd, and the dedication he brought to the role.
“Paul’s the best. He’s, you know, everything you hope he would be and more,” Nick shared. “And watching him step into this role, you know, playing guitar, singing, was so impressive. And I think it’s going to just light audiences up. They’re going to love it”.
Be sure to watch our full video for the rest of these Power Ballad interviews. You can also check out our full SXSW coverage for other major premieres, including Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, Normal, Pretty Lethal, Brian, and Over Your Dead Body.
