Trevor Jackson is entering a new phase in both his music and acting. His latest single, “Man of Steel,” pulls things back to something simple and direct, focusing on the pressure to look unshakeable and the reality behind that. It follows his I Love You EP and gives a look at his current project, I Love You, Goodbye (The Greatest Breakup Album of All Time) out now. Together, the two projects track different moments of the same experience, the rush at the start and the reflection that comes after.
Alongside the music, Trevor has stepped into a new role on Grey’s Anatomy as a series regular, building on his guest appearance last season. Working across acting, writing, and music has shaped the way he tells stories, and that mix shows up clearly in his new work.
For this 18 Questions feature, Trevor talks about routine, pressure, honesty, and the habits that keep him balanced. He also shares how ageing has shifted his view on strength, why he keeps returning to the ocean, and what he hopes listeners feel when they reach the end of Goodbye.
1. What’s the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?
I wake up, pray and thank God for another one.
2. What’s a small daily habit that helps you feel grounded?
Working out.
3. Do you have a go-to comfort food or drink after a long day on set or in the studio?
When I’m giving in, Taco Bell always makes me feel better.
4. Who or what always makes you laugh no matter what’s going on?
Kevin Hart and Will Ferrell.
5. What song instantly lifts your mood when it comes on?
“Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley always lifts me up and gets my mind right.
6. If you could teleport anywhere right now, where would you go?
Hawaii. The ocean resets me every time.
7. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received and who gave it to you?
My mom told me, “Move with intention and trust your timing.” That advice has carried me through everything.
8. Do you remember the first album or artist that made you fall in love with music?
Usher’s Confessions. That album taught me how powerful honesty in R&B could be.
9. How do you usually celebrate when something goes right in your career?
I thank God, call my family, and treat myself to a good meal. I keep it simple.
10. When you’re not working, how do you like to unwind or switch off?
I love to surf, I like to game, and I watch movies.
11. “Man of Steel” feels raw and stripped back. What inspired that sense of simplicity in the song?
I wanted the emotion to sit front and centre. The more honest the feeling was, the less production it needed.
12. You’ve said the track is about the pressure to seem unbreakable. When did you start seeing vulnerability as strength?
As I got older, I realised pretending to be strong all the time was holding me back. Being open has brought me closer to people and made the art better.
13. The Goodbye EP continues the story from I Love You. How are the two connected emotionally for you?
I Love You is the beginning, the high. Goodbye is the reflection and the cost. They’re two chapters of the same experience.
14. As someone who writes, sings, and acts, how do those forms of expression feed into each other?
Acting helps me understand the emotion. Music lets me express it. Writing ties both together.
15. You’ve joined Grey’s Anatomy as a series regular. Has acting changed the way you tell stories through music?
Absolutely. Acting has made me more intentional with details and more honest about how a moment really feels.
16. What lyric from “Man of Steel” hits you the hardest when you sing it?
“The world expects a man of steel.” It captures the pressure I’ve felt most of my life.
17. When you think about the chapter you’re in now, what do you feel you’re saying goodbye to?
I’m saying goodbye to perfection and the pressure of carrying everything alone.
18. What do you hope people take away after listening to Goodbye from start to finish?
I hope people feel seen. I hope it gives them permission to acknowledge what hurts and move toward healing.
I Love You, Goodbye (The Greatest Breakup Album of All Time) is out now.
Follow via @trevorjackson5
