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\n Related: <\/span>Inside O-Town Singer Ashley Parker Angel\u2019s Life Out of the Spotlight<\/span><\/a>
\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\t\t\tLong before Simon Cowell put One Direction together on The X Factor UK, there was O-Town: the five-person boy band formed by the late Lou Pearlman on Making the Band. The group has been touring as a quartet in recent years, with Dan Miller, Erik-Michael Estrada, Jacob Underwood and Trevor Penick leaning into the early [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Angel was selected to join as a founding member of O-Town during the inaugural season of Making the Band<\/em>, 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.<\/p>\nAfter turning down the reunion, Angel went on to star as Fiyero in a touring production of Wicked<\/em>. He later assumed the role on Broadway from 2017 to 2018. In 2023, Angel competed on season 10 of The Masked Singer<\/em> as S\u2019more.<\/p>\nThe \u201cSoundtrack to Your Life\u201d singer has since stepped away from the music industry to prioritize his well-being. During an August 2022 appearance on the \u201cBehind the Velvet Rope\u201d podcast, Ashley opened up about struggling with his mental health.<\/p>\n
\u201cI looked at myself in the mirror, and I was like, \u2018If I don\u2019t make a change, I\u2019m gonna join the 27 Club. I\u2019m going to die as this young performer, like many have,\u2019\u201d he reflected.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter 20 years of performing I realized chasing entertainment wins left me feeling anxious and depressed. I\u2019m grateful for the successes \u2014 sold 10 million records, two hit television shows, movie roles, and starred in the biggest shows on Broadway with over 2000 performances,\u201d he wrote in a lengthy October 2025 Instagram<\/a> post. \u201cI 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\u2026\u201d<\/p>\nAngel added that \u201cthe constant need to maintain status or success\u201d left him \u201cfeeling empty inside.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou see it all the time when the pressure causes performers to crack \u2014 turning to drugs, pharmaceuticals, alcohol, or spiral into unhealthy coping mechanisms,\u201d he continued. \u201cThink of how many child stars or people who achieved fame in their teenage years have fallen into this category. I won\u2019t mention names but I\u2019ve watched close friends die young because of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\n\nThank You!<\/h3>\n
You have successfully subscribed.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
Angel shared that his loved ones and professionals helped him \u201ctake back control\u201d of his life.<\/p>\n
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.<\/em><\/p>\nBoy Band Confidential: A Hollywood Demons Event<\/em> premieres on ID on Monday, April 13, at 9 p.m. ET.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
After turning down the reunion, Angel went on to star as Fiyero in a touring production of Wicked<\/em>. He later assumed the role on Broadway from 2017 to 2018. In 2023, Angel competed on season 10 of The Masked Singer<\/em> as S\u2019more.<\/p>\n The \u201cSoundtrack to Your Life\u201d singer has since stepped away from the music industry to prioritize his well-being. During an August 2022 appearance on the \u201cBehind the Velvet Rope\u201d podcast, Ashley opened up about struggling with his mental health.<\/p>\n \u201cI looked at myself in the mirror, and I was like, \u2018If I don\u2019t make a change, I\u2019m gonna join the 27 Club. I\u2019m going to die as this young performer, like many have,\u2019\u201d he reflected.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter 20 years of performing I realized chasing entertainment wins left me feeling anxious and depressed. I\u2019m grateful for the successes \u2014 sold 10 million records, two hit television shows, movie roles, and starred in the biggest shows on Broadway with over 2000 performances,\u201d he wrote in a lengthy October 2025 Instagram<\/a> post. \u201cI 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\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Angel added that \u201cthe constant need to maintain status or success\u201d left him \u201cfeeling empty inside.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou see it all the time when the pressure causes performers to crack \u2014 turning to drugs, pharmaceuticals, alcohol, or spiral into unhealthy coping mechanisms,\u201d he continued. \u201cThink of how many child stars or people who achieved fame in their teenage years have fallen into this category. I won\u2019t mention names but I\u2019ve watched close friends die young because of it.\u201d<\/p>\n You have successfully subscribed.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n Angel shared that his loved ones and professionals helped him \u201ctake back control\u201d of his life.<\/p>\n If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.<\/em><\/p>\n Boy Band Confidential: A Hollywood Demons Event<\/em> premieres on ID on Monday, April 13, at 9 p.m. ET.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nThank You!<\/h3>\n