O-Town singer Ashley Parker Angel opens up about experiencing suicidal thoughts in the trailer for Joey Fatone’s upcoming boy band documentary.
“I was sitting on the 38th floor balcony of my New York apartment, and I just thought about jumping off,” Angel, 44, said in the Tuesday, March 24, trailer for the upcoming iD documentary Boy Band Confidential: A Hollywood Demons Event.
Later in the clip, Angel teased that this was the “first time” he was “talking openly” about his struggles during his boy band years.
Boy Band Confidential, which is executive produced by ‘NSync’s Fatone, will feature both singers as well as Lance Bass, Nick Lachey, Wanya Morris, Shawn Stockman, Brad Fischetti and more as they look back on their times in their respective music groups. The two-part documentary premieres on iD and HBO Max on April 13, with the final portion airing the following day.
Angel was selected to join as a founding member of O-Town during the inaugural season of Making the Band, which aired in 2000. The band released two albums before disbanding in 2003. Angel went on to have a career as a solo artist. O-Town, meanwhile, reunited without Angel in 2013.
After turning down the reunion, Angel went on to star as Fiyero in a touring production of Wicked. He later assumed the role on Broadway from 2017 to 2018. In 2023, Angel competed on season 10 of The Masked Singer as S’more.
The “Soundtrack to Your Life” singer has since stepped away from the music industry to prioritize his well-being. During an August 2022 appearance on the “Behind the Velvet Rope” podcast, Ashley opened up about struggling with his mental health.
“I looked at myself in the mirror, and I was like, ‘If I don’t make a change, I’m gonna join the 27 Club. I’m going to die as this young performer, like many have,’” he reflected.
Angel now works as a fitness trainer. Last year, the musician got candid about how he decided to leave the music business because of his past struggles.
“After 20 years of performing I realized chasing entertainment wins left me feeling anxious and depressed. I’m grateful for the successes — sold 10 million records, two hit television shows, movie roles, and starred in the biggest shows on Broadway with over 2000 performances,” he wrote in a lengthy October 2025 Instagram post. “I realized during that time the LIFESTYLE of being away from your family, on the road, on location, and the constant pressure of creating the next BIG HIT on my resume was becoming disastrous for my physical, mental and emotional health…”
Angel added that “the constant need to maintain status or success” left him “feeling empty inside.”
“You see it all the time when the pressure causes performers to crack — turning to drugs, pharmaceuticals, alcohol, or spiral into unhealthy coping mechanisms,” he continued. “Think of how many child stars or people who achieved fame in their teenage years have fallen into this category. I won’t mention names but I’ve watched close friends die young because of it.”
Angel shared that his loved ones and professionals helped him “take back control” of his life.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
Boy Band Confidential: A Hollywood Demons Event premieres on ID on Monday, April 13, at 9 p.m. ET.
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