The Breakfast Club: Trevor Jackson Talks ‘I Love You Goodbye,’ New Album & EP’s; Grey’s Anatomy, Puma Deal + More

Date: September 26, 2025
Hosts: Charlemagne Tha God, Jess Hilarious, Juju Green (Straw Hat Goofy), Lauren LaRosa (LL Cool Bay, sitting in for DJ Envy)
Guest: Trevor Jackson

Episode Overview

This lively, candid episode features actor-singer Trevor Jackson as he joins The Breakfast Club to discuss his upcoming EP I Love You Goodbye (dropping October 3rd), his musical journey, breakthrough acting on Grey’s Anatomy, collaborations, personal growth through heartbreak and therapy, inspirations, fashion, and living authentically as a creative and Black man. The conversation’s tone is warm, insightful, and often humorous, with Trevor offering genuine reflections on vulnerability, creative process, and reinvention.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introducing Trevor Jackson & Project Overview

• [02:06] Trevor is welcomed, energized about upcoming music release.
  • “You used to seeing him on your TV screens, but he got an EP coming out Oct 3rd …”
  • Trevor: "I'm happy to be here. Good morning. Good morning."
• EP I Love You Goodbye is described as heartfelt and genre-blending; inspired by personal struggles.

2. Making a ‘Genreless’ Project & Creative Freedom

• [02:50] Trevor aims to defy genre, emphasizing emotional honesty:
  • “I would like to be genreless… I always want to represent, like, freedom. Freedom of creativity, freedom of who you are.” (Trevor Jackson, 02:50)
  • The EP was written during a “very low space”—music as coping and expression.
  • His father supported this creative catharsis: “‘This is your opus... the best shit you’ve ever made.’” (Trevor quoting his dad, 03:20)

3. Breakup, Vulnerability & Emotional Expression

• [04:41]–[06:47] The project stems from a tough breakup, torn Achilles, intense work period.
  • Trevor opens up: “My dad was like… I’m sorry that you’re in this much pain, son, but this is your opus.” (03:20)
  • On breakups: “God does the hard work for me. I would have never left ... but I’m thankful for the outlet.” (05:15)
  • Advocates for Black men journaling and talking: "I want people to process and then be like a lighthouse for somebody else instead of internalizing." (05:25)
  • Therapy and journaling have been essential for healing.
• Memorable quote: “I would tear my Achilles, I get broken up with a million times over to feel how I feel now.” (Trevor Jackson, 06:47)

4. Navigating Loneliness, Pressure & Introspection

• [08:30] Trevor admits to a fear of being alone, saying he’s always needed company and struggles to turn his mind off.
  • Childhood story: “I slept in my big brother's room until I was like 14, 15…” (08:34)
  • TV as coping: “My mind is way louder than any TV… when it’s dark and quiet, it’s just…” (09:30)
  • On overthinking: “Like, you’re not doing enough. Do more. You should have done this…” (10:07)
  • Motivation stems from a desire to help others and leave a positive legacy.

5. Lessons from Relationships & Therapy

• [07:41] Regina: “What did you learn about yourself… after doing ‘I Love You’?”
• Trevor: “Oh man, I deserve more … you feel like whoever you’re with, especially if they’re not on that level, they get to beat you down more because you can quote, unquote, take it, or because you have more ... But yeah, I think I learned too… that I deserved more.” (07:48)
• He underscores the importance of self-worth, vulnerability, and allowing yourself grace.

6. Musical Identity, Influences, and Rediscovery

• [15:00–16:49] Emphasis on a new “sound,” channeling inspiration from Ed Sheeran’s stripped, emotive style.
  • “Ed Sheeran is a huge inspiration of mine...because the music is so real. And that’s kind of what I was after.” (Trevor Jackson, 15:00)
• Covers and "T-mixes" have helped him rediscover and showcase his vocal artistry:
  • Brother encouraged him: “You need to let everybody know that you’re on these people’s level, if not better than all these people. So do it.” (17:01)

7. Acting Highlights: Grey’s Anatomy & Grownish

• [12:28]–[14:42] On landing Grey’s Anatomy:
  • “I didn’t even think I auditioned… and then they’re like, ‘They want you.’ I was like, what?” (Trevor Jackson, 12:34)
  • Enjoys toggling between acting and music—both are necessary, creative outlets.
  • Set details: “They have real doctors on set… Everybody's sweet, everybody's nice, embracing, encouraging.”
  • The show’s legacy adds positive “nerves” and learning.

8. Reinvention, Authenticity & Being Seen

• Trevor wants to be "rediscovered" as a musician.
  • “I want people to really, you know, rediscover me again in that way because I think I’m making music from such a real place…” (15:00)
  • He wants his music to be as durable and impactful as classic poetry:
    • “I want to be remembered like those people. I want to be like Shakespeare…” (Trevor Jackson, 24:01)

9. Personal Life: Love, Romance, and Humor

• Trevor affirms he’s a “hopeless romantic” and come from a family that’s all about love:
  • “I love love. I love to be loved. I love to love. And I think that’s from my family, honestly…” (Trevor Jackson, 27:16)
• Discussed his single status (“I’m happy… I’m just in so much joy”), lightly teased by hosts.

10. Fashion, Puma Deal & Branding

• Trevor sports Puma and hints at an evolving apparel relationship.
  • “Oh, what Puma deal? It’s on the way. Hopefully.” (Trevor Jackson, 27:51)

11. Songwriting Process, Honesty, and Touring

• Trevor admits he sometimes questions if he’s “too honest” in his music, but ultimately keeps it real:
  • “I was like, dude, should I not put this whole album out? He's like, bro, shut up.” (Trevor Jackson, 35:09)
• Plans for touring to connect with fans and “turn something that was sad into a turn up.”

12. Album, EP, and Songs Discussion

• Discussed tracks such as “One Foot In,” “Collection,” “Friend of a Friend,” “Worth Fighting For.”
  • “The whole EP’s cold.” (Trevor Jackson, 32:15)
• On song inspiration: Titles, lyrics, even visual presentation come straight from personal moments:
  • "'I Love You, Goodbye'—that last thing she said to me ... I love you, goodbye. I was like, oh, that's a great album title, though." (28:22)
• His song creation is spontaneous, rooted in real emotion and experiences.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On genres: “I would like to be genreless… I always want to represent, like, freedom.” — Trevor Jackson (02:50)
• On heartbreak & artistry: “I was in a very low spot. But… again, that’s why I wanted to do this, because I think Black men in general, journaling, talking about it, I want people to process and then be like a lighthouse for somebody else instead of internalizing.” (05:25)
• On self-worth: “Oh man, I deserve more.” — Trevor Jackson (07:48)
• On performing: “There’s nothing like it. Being at a concert and you seeing somebody aging, somebody white... all singing the same song, vibrating in the same room.” (25:09)
• On love: “I think real love to me is selfless. I don’t think there’s ego in real love... someone that constantly wants you to operate at the highest version of you.” (25:34)
• EP title origin: "That last thing she said to me … was, 'I love you, goodbye.' And I was like, oh, that's a great album title, though." (28:22)
• On inspiration: “I want to be remembered like those people... like Shakespeare. And people go back a million years and be like, did you hear this song he wrote…” (24:01)
• On being too honest: “I literally told my brother. I was like, dude, should I not put this whole album out? He's like, bro, shut up.” (35:09)
• On turning pain into art: “Let’s turn something that was sad into a turn up.” (35:23)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:06: Introduction, upcoming EP announcement
• 02:50: on genre and creative freedom
• 03:38: “Multi hybrid”/“Bi-hybrid” banter on musicianship and acting
• 04:41: Heartbreak as creative driver; Black men's emotional expression
• 07:41: Relationship lessons, therapy’s impact, self-worth
• 08:30: Loneliness, TV as comfort, overthinking
• 10:07: Internal pressure, mental health, and motivation
• 12:28: Grey’s Anatomy role and acting life
• 15:00: Ed Sheeran influence, rediscovering musical identity
• 17:01: Covers, “T-mixes,” and their role in his career
• 22:07: Musical influences—Brian McKnight, Stevie Wonder, Boyz II Men
• 24:01: Legacy, poetry, and the power of connection
• 25:34: Defining real love and relationship growth
• 27:51: Puma partnership
• 28:22: Origin of “I Love You Goodbye” title
• 30:03: Guardedness in future relationships
• 31:19: EP song breakdown; “Collection,” “Fighting For”
• 35:09: On honesty in music and battling self-doubt
• 35:19: Touring plans and the catharsis of performance
• 36:04: “Man of Steel” song inspiration from real life and superhero movies

Final Notes

Trevor Jackson’s appearance on The Breakfast Club reveals the multidimensionality of an artist navigating fame, authenticity, heartbreak, and healing. The episode’s candid flow brings humor, realness, and heartfelt advice, serving as both a teaser for I Love You Goodbye and a testament to the transformative power of art, vulnerability, and self-acceptance.

Listen for: reflections on modern masculinity, the creative process, Black men’s mental health, building legacy, redefining self-worth, and the beauty of honest, unfiltered music.