James Maslow
From teen idol as James Diamond to a mature musician steering the successful reunion of the pop band Big Time Rush.
Born 1990 (age 36)·American actor and singer·Birthday: July 16·Millennials
Biography
James Maslow stepped into the spotlight as a teenager, landing the role of the confident, sometimes arrogant James Diamond on Nickelodeon's 'Big Time Rush.' The show, about a boy band's formation, blurred lines with reality as Maslow and his co-stars actually became the musical group Big Time Rush, releasing albums and touring to screaming fans. When the show ended in 2013, Maslow deliberately worked to shed the pure pop image. He competed on 'Dancing with the Stars,' took on dramatic acting roles in films, and began releasing solo music that leaned into soulful pop and dance. Yet, his defining chapter in recent years has been the full-circle reunion of Big Time Rush. As an adult, he helped orchestrate the band's return, not as a nostalgia act, but as a group with creative control, launching a successful tour and new music that connected with their original fans who had grown up alongside them.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
James was born in 1990, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When James Was Born
The biggest hits of 1990
#1 Movie
Home Alone
Best Picture
Dances with Wolves
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
James's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1990Born
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1995Started school
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2003Became a teenager
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Could drive
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2008Could vote
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Turned 21
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2020Turned 30
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 36 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Starred as James Diamond for four seasons on the hit Nickelodeon series 'Big Time Rush'.
- As a member of Big Time Rush, the band's debut album 'BTR' reached number 3 on the Billboard 200 chart.
- Competed on season 18 of 'Dancing with the Stars', finishing in fourth place.
- Helped spearhead the successful reunion and comeback tour of Big Time Rush in 2021.
Did You Know?
He is a trained singer with a background in musical theater, performing in productions like 'The Music Man' and 'A Christmas Carol'.
He is a licensed pilot and enjoys flying small aircraft.
He founded a production company called Divide Pictures.
“The transition from a TV character to a real artist required proving myself.”
