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Jared Leto: “It’s not about good or bad, but exploring humanity and complexity.”

Jared Leto on WeCrashed, Accents, Community, and New Thirty Seconds to Mars

Actor and musician Jared Leto dives deep into his latest role as WeWork co-founder Adam Neumann in the Apple TV+ miniseries WeCrashed. Speaking with Kyle Meredith, Leto breaks down the allure of the project, the challenges of portraying a real-life figure, and his method for finding the character’s voice and essence.

Leto was drawn to the project for its modern, high-stakes story. “It’s so fresh off the presses,” he notes, reflecting on portraying events from as recent as 2019. Fresh from playing Paolo Gucci in House of Gucci, Leto faced a unique challenge transitioning from an Italian accent to Neumann’s Israeli dialect. “The voice was key,” he says, emphasizing how critical it is to his process. Surrounded by a team of Israeli collaborators, Leto immersed himself in the role, striving to honor both the person and the culture.

The series doesn’t pass judgment on Neumann, something Leto appreciated. “It’s not about good or bad,” he explains. “It’s about exploring humanity and complexity.” Despite Neumann’s larger-than-life ambitions—like wanting to live forever and become “President of the World”—Leto grounds the character in authenticity, steering clear of caricature.

For fans of Thirty Seconds to Mars, Leto also reveals exciting news: during the pandemic, he and his brother Shannon wrote over 200 songs. With new music on the horizon, the band plans to release material and hit the road again soon. “It’s been a hard time for venues and fans alike,” Leto acknowledges, expressing gratitude for the chance to bring music and community back to their audience.

Whether portraying a polarizing entrepreneur or preparing to release more music, Leto’s commitment to craft and connection remains unwavering. Catch WeCrashed now on Apple TV+ and keep an eye out for new music from 30 Seconds to Mars. 🎬🎶

Watch the interview above and then check out the videos below.

Kyle is the WFPK Program Director. Email Kyle at kmeredith@lpm.org

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