If you’re wondering what James Maslow has been up to lately, let’s just say… he’s not stuck, not even a little.
The Big Time Rush star is living his best life in Music City, as he’s been gearing up for the band’s most ambitious tour yet, dropping hints about new solo music, and — oh yeah — he just got engaged. And if the opening weekend of mega world tour is any indication? This summer belongs to the Rushers.
Celeb Secrets caught up with James backstage at CMA Fest 2025 in Nashville last month, where he dished on literally everything — from tour prep and songwriting to skating fails and a potential movie in the works. So buckle up, Rushers. We’re going worldwide with this one.
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Maslow traded in the fast-paced L.A. grind for the musical charm of Music City a year and a half ago — and he hasn’t looked back since. After other stints in Las Vegas and even Miami, it was time to put down roots in the Volunteer State — and the rest of BTR quickly followed.
“I’ve never enjoyed a place so much. My now-fiancé and I built a house here. We’re not moving,” he told us, glowing. “They all kind of wanted to get out of L.A. in their own terms… and there’s just no place like Nashville to write and create.”
Since the big move, the 34-year-old been soaking up the songwriting scene in his new home, writing with both rising stars and industry vets, and even leading a fitness class at CMA Fest alongside Tayler Holder and Callie Gullickson. “Was that yesterday? Two days ago? Look, it’s been a long month,” he laughed.
Big Time Rush
And speaking of doing it big, BTR is currently back on the road with their BIG TIME RUSH IN REAL LIFE WORLDWIDE Tour, which kicked off July 9 to a sold-out crowd in Birmingham before lighting up Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater.
“We’re playing every song from every episode of the show,” Maslow confirmed. “It’s a challenge, but I believe this show is gonna be one of the most unique and creative shows we’ve ever done.”
Yes, that means over 40 songs — from “Boyfriend” and “Til I Forget About You” to deep cuts like “Crazy For U” and the iconic “Giant Turd Song” (performed with Stephen Kramer Glickman, aka Gustavo, who joined them onstage with a piano).
“We just have fun at this point,” James said. “We listened to the fans. All the gimmicks, all the stops are coming out. Dare I say… I might even bring a lucky comb onstage.”
Nostalgia? Cranked to eleven. Costumes and callbacks? You bet. Carlos even dusted off the hockey helmet, and Maslow teased more surprises coming soon.
While BTR fans are getting a full dose of throwback energy this summer, that doesn’t mean the guys are living in the past.
“We’ve been writing as well,” Maslow shared. “This tour doesn’t have room for new music, but that doesn’t mean we won’t release songs. We’re trying to get a single out before the summer is over — and maybe one more before Europe.”
And while the band is focused on fan favorites right now, James has been quietly stacking solo songs of his own.
“I had too much music,” he laughed. “So I’m going to put out solo material after the tour — starting in October.”
In case you missed it, Maslow is officially off the market. His proposal to longtime love Caitlin in Italy? A spontaneous twist of fate.
“By the third or fourth buddy that I told about our trip, they cut me off like, ‘So you’re proposing, right?’ And I went… damn, I guess I am!” he shared.
James managed to pull it off as a total surprise, and now he’s soaking up the engagement era. “I’d really just like to enjoy this moment… for at least a couple weeks,” he joked.
He also shared that Caitlin will be joining him on tour this summer — along with their dog — because why not turn this run into Big Time Summer Camp?
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It’s been 15 years since Big Time Rush premiered on Nickelodeon, and somehow, the momentum just keeps building.
“If we didn’t put on a great show, we could’ve had one nostalgia tour,” James reflected. “But the fact that every tour keeps getting bigger… I’m so proud of the guys. We shine on stage.”
Speaking of momentum picking up, James hinted that the band has even more surprises up their sleeves post-tour, including new music and… a movie?
“We’ve been working on a script. It’s not happening this year, but maybe after the world tour.”
And yes, he’s still recovering from Big Time Rush On Ice, their sold-out skating spectacular that closed out 2024 with confetti, chaos, and yes, actual choreography on skates.
“We arrogantly went, ‘How hard can it be?’ Turns out… very,” he laughed. “My ankles were screaming. I’m definitely skating 10 more times before the next one.”
Celeb Secrets also confirm that it won’t be the last time the boys do something wild.
“We try and do a fan event every year. I don’t know if it’ll happen this winter — we’re in Europe till basically Christmas — but we’ll definitely do it again.”
At the end of the day, Maslow says the secret to it all is simple: “Keep having fun. When you have fun on stage, the audience has fun. Straight up.” And that, Rushers, is a BIG TIME fact.
The Big Time Rush In Real Life Worldwide Tour continues tomorrow, July 15, in Jacksonville, FL before making its way to the Northeast with shows at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel (July 22), Northwell at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, NY (July 23), Xfinity Center in Mansfield, MA (July 25) and Hersheypark Stadium in Hershey, PA on August 1. The US leg will wrap in Las Vegas, NV on Saturday, August 30 before making its way to Europe in November through the end of 2025. For a full list of tour dates, click here.
Make sure to watch our full interview with James below and don’t forget to let us know if you’re excited for this new era of Big Time Rush by either leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sliding into our DMs on Instagram at @celebsecrets.
Interview quotes have been edited and condensed for clarity. For more coverage from CMA Fest 2025, click here.
