Joe Jonas says his solo album's failure led him to therapy

Joe Jonas is opening up about one of the most difficult periods of his career, revealing that the disappointing performance of his 2011 solo album Fastlife led him to seek therapy for the first time.

Speaking on the Jonas Brothers' Hey Jonas! podcast, Jonas said he had high expectations for the album after experiencing the enormous success of the Jonas Brothers. When Fastlife failed to perform as he had hoped, he began experiencing panic attacks and physical pain. Multiple medical examinations found nothing physically wrong, eventually leading a doctor to suggest therapy.

Jonas said part of the disappointment came from tying the album's success to his sense of self-worth. He explained that he had internalised the idea that achieving success on his own would prove that he mattered outside of the Jonas Brothers.

"I had a lot of high expectations of success without you guys," Jonas recalled, acknowledging that the thinking had created an unhealthy connection between his career achievements and his personal value.

Initially hesitant about therapy, Jonas eventually agreed to see a professional. He recalled crying through the first question for about an hour before realising how valuable it was to have someone outside his family and friends help him work through what he was experiencing.

The experience ultimately changed his perspective on therapy, which he said has remained an important part of his life during other challenging periods. He also described taking long bike rides at the time as another way of disconnecting from the pressure and criticism surrounding his career.

Fastlife, released when Jonas was around 21 or 22, debuted at No. 15 on the Billboard 200 and dropped to No. 122 in its second week. Its underperformance was particularly difficult for Jonas after the Jonas Brothers had become accustomed to major chart success and sold-out tours.

Nearly 15 years later, Jonas returned to solo music with Music for People Who Believe in Love, released in May 2025. The album became his first solo release to reach the top 10 on Billboard's Top Album Sales chart, debuting at No. 3.