JUST NOW: ‘Paradise’ Stars James Marsden and Sterling K. Brown Sang Old-School R&B ‘Constantly’ on Set, Reveals Behind-the-Scenes Fun
JUST NOW: ‘Paradise’ Stars James Marsden and Sterling K. Brown Sang Old-School R&B ‘Constantly’ on Set, Reveals Behind-the-Scenes Fun
In an exclusive interview that has fans buzzing, Paradise stars James Marsden and Sterling K. Brown revealed a delightful secret from behind the scenes: the two actors spent much of their time on set singing old-school R&B classics together. The dynamic duo, known for their undeniable chemistry on-screen, shared that their impromptu jam sessions became a staple of their time on the set of the hit drama series.
During a recent roundtable discussion with journalists, Marsden and Brown opened up about how music became an integral part of their collaboration, bringing an extra layer of joy and camaraderie to their performances. “We were always singing something,” Marsden said with a grin. “I think we both have a love for that era of music. Whether it was Motown, soul, or the smooth ballads from the ’80s, we were constantly belting out tunes in between takes.”
Brown, who is known for his emotional range and captivating presence, added, “It’s funny, because a lot of our rehearsals would turn into spontaneous jam sessions. I’d start humming a tune, and James would jump in, and next thing you know, we’re harmonizing. It was a real mood booster on set. The vibe was always upbeat, and I think that energy translated into our scenes.”
Their love for classic R&B, including iconic artists like Marvin Gaye, Al Green, and The Temptations, became an ongoing theme throughout the series, with the two actors incorporating their shared passion into their characters’ interactions. Brown, who plays the charming yet troubled character of Elijah, and Marsden, portraying the seemingly perfect but flawed Greg, found that the music provided an unexpected way to connect with their roles.
“We had a lot of late nights on set, and sometimes you need something to keep the energy up,” Marsden explained. “For us, it was the timeless sound of R&B. It’s music that resonates with so many people—it’s soulful, emotional, and raw. I think it really helped ground our performances in a way that felt authentic.”
Fans of Paradise have long praised the show for its rich storytelling and complex characters, but it’s the bond between Marsden and Brown’s characters that has kept viewers hooked. The actors’ impromptu musical moments on set have only added to the on-screen magic, with several of their casual renditions of R&B classics even making it into blooper reels and behind-the-scenes footage shared by the show’s social media accounts.
But it wasn’t just the singing that bonded the two actors—it was their shared respect for the genre’s history and its cultural significance. Brown, who has openly expressed his admiration for the genre in previous interviews, mentioned how important it was for both him and Marsden to embrace the soul and depth that old-school R&B often brings.
“R&B has a way of telling stories through emotion, and I think that resonated with both of us as actors,” Brown said. “When we were rehearsing, we often talked about how much storytelling is embedded in that kind of music. It made sense that we’d lean into it during our scenes, as it allowed us to connect with the deeper, more vulnerable sides of our characters.”
As Paradise continues to captivate audiences, fans are now looking forward to seeing if Marsden and Brown’s impromptu R&B sessions will find their way into future episodes. For now, the two stars are relishing the memories of their musical moments, as Marsden concluded with a smile: “If you ever need to catch us off-screen, we’ll probably be somewhere singing ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’.”
