Q&A: Jason Derulo

Known for hits like “Whatcha Say,” “Talk Dirty” and “Ridin’ Solo,” R&B icon Jason Derulo brings the party to Voltaire with his immersive residency in the intimate theater. Las Vegas Magazine’s Em Jurbala caught up with the artist ahead of some shows.

You filmed your “Spicy Margarita” music video at Voltaire. What was that like?

It was great. It was kind of like a warm-up for being in this space. The space is very unique and I wanted to take advantage of its beauty. Everywhere you turn, everywhere you look, feels like it’s part of the show. So doing lighting design was different because I do the typical lighting design for the stage, but then (I needed to) complement the lighting to the design of the room as well, because I want the whole place to feel like it’s part of the stage, which is very different. When you go to a concert, the room wouldn’t light as well. It would just be dark where you are and the stage lights up; this is a totally different kind of room. So the “Spicy Margarita” music video was kind of like a warm-up and it allowed me some time to dream up some things I wanted to do for the residency.

With a room that has so much identity of its own, how do you make it yours?

By totally taking advantage of it. I utilize this space as if it’s my own. It becomes a part of the nucleus of the show. I think there’s a lot of people that could possibly get swallowed up in this room and the beauty of the room, because it is so beautiful. But I decided to take full advantage of it from being on top of the bar, to being within the seats and allowing, inviting people into the party as opposed to it being a spectacle that they watch; it’s a party that they’re involved in.

You work in a bit of humor into your concerts and on your socials. Did finding space for that comedic voice in your music career come naturally to you?

That was a challenge. It took me posting a ton for me to stop caring, and I had nonnegotiables for myself. I was like, I’m going to post six times a day, and I had to figure out what to post for these six times. So in doing that I had to let my hair down, so to speak, and start posting anything and that’s when I found the humor. That’s when I found being myself more and not taking myself too seriously. Without the pandemic, I don’t think that would have ever happened.

Do you have a Sin City bucket list item?

I really don’t know much about what’s going on in the real world, so I’m excited to explore. What I do know, though, is the pool parties. I remember the pool parties were pretty crazy. I love a daytime drink, so it would be amazing to get a spicy margarita by the pool somewhere.

The Venetian. ticketmaster.com

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