O-Town Star Ashley Parker Angel Breaks Silence on Suicidal Thoughts in Powerful New Documentary
O-Town alum Ashley Parker Angel gets brutally candid in the trailer for Joey Fatone’s upcoming iD boy band documentary, revealing he once contemplated taking his own life in New York — a raw revelation that sets a sobering tone for the film.
Joey Fatone is executive producing a new two-parter about boy bands, and the first trailer does not tiptoe around the tough stuff. In it, O-Town alum Ashley Parker Angel, now 44, shares the kind of memory artists usually keep buried.
The trailer’s gut-punch
"I was sitting on the 38th floor balcony of my New York apartment, and I just thought about jumping off."
Angel says this is the first time he has spoken openly about what he went through during the peak of his boy band years. It is a heavy reveal for a trailer, but it sets the tone for what the documentary is clearly aiming to unpack.
What this project is and who shows up
The doc is called 'Boy Band Confidential: A Hollywood Demons Event' and, yes, the title hints at some messy, behind-the-scenes history. Fatone is an executive producer and also sits down on camera alongside Angel. The lineup reaches across multiple eras of pop groups, and the release plan is quick:
- Featured voices include Ashley Parker Angel, Joey Fatone, Lance Bass, Nick Lachey, Wanya Morris, Shawn Stockman, Brad Fischetti, and more.
- It is a two-part documentary.
- Premieres Sunday, April 13 on ID and HBO Max; the second part airs the next day.
- On ID, part one is Monday, April 13 at 9 p.m. ET, with part two on Tuesday.
- The first trailer arrived Tuesday, March 24.
Where Ashley has been since O-Town
Quick refresher: Angel was picked for O-Town on the first season of 'Making the Band' back in 2000. The group put out two albums and split in 2003. He launched a solo career. When O-Town reunited in 2013, he passed on joining, then pivoted to theater as Fiyero in a touring production of 'Wicked ' before taking the role on Broadway from 2017 to 2018. In 2023, he popped up on 'The Masked Singer' as S'more.
Stepping away and speaking plainly about why
Angel has been upfront about mental health for a while. On the 'Behind the Velvet Rope' podcast in August 2022, he said he stared himself down in the mirror and realized that without a serious course correction, he could be heading toward that grim 27 Club narrative.
Last year, in a long October 2025 Instagram post, he explained why he stopped chasing the next entertainment win. After two decades performing — which he notes included selling around 10 million records, two hit TV shows, some movie work, and more than 2,000 Broadway performances — he said the lifestyle of always being on the road or on location and constantly trying to top his last credit left him anxious, depressed, and ultimately empty. He also pointed out what we all sadly know: when the pressure spikes, some performers turn to drugs, alcohol, or other destructive coping, and he has watched friends die young because of it. He credits his family and professional support with helping him take back control. These days, he has stepped out of the music grind and works as a fitness trainer.
If you need support
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
When to watch
'Boy Band Confidential: A Hollywood Demons Event' premieres on ID on Monday, April 13, at 9 p.m. ET, with part two airing the following day. It is also available on HBO Max starting April 13.