Diego Boneta starred in a hugely popular telenova for years before crossing over to mainstream television with roles on Pretty Little Liars and 90210, but it wasn’t until Adam Shankman, director and choreographer, picked Diego “out of thousands” of auditions that my Because He’s Hot guy caught a big break.

Diego is a great vocalist, but he didn’t know how to play the guitar before being cast as Drew in Rock of Ages, a musician with a dream. Diego took guitar lessons, along with Tom Cruise, to prepare for the fun musical and he nailed it! Watching the movie, which comes out in theaters this Friday, gives one the impression that he’s a veteran guitar hero. Diego plays Julianne Hough‘s boyfriend in his very first big screen  role, but it won’t be his last one! The movie and music offers just keep rollin’ in for this gracious up and comer.

POTP: How did you find out you got the part?

Diego: I had three days of migraines. It was a phone call. Adam called me and goes, “I just want to call you and say thank you. Sometimes these things work and sometimes they don’t… but it did!” 

POTP: How was working with Alec Baldwin and Russell Brand?

Diego: It was so hard! That was impossible to keep a straight face! They became like brothers, literally. I mean, Alec was speaking in a British accent THE ENTIRE TIME he was on the set. THE ENTIRE TIME!! Every single take it was like different improv. These guys are so brilliant, like really really brilliant! Ten steps ahead of everyone. Russell Brand is the sweetest guy.

POTP: Are you prepared to become an overnight sensation? Do you want to go for more movies or do you want to do music and movies? Do you have a preference at this point?

Diego: I feel very lucky and very blessed to be in this position after working with an amazing cast. I’m just proud of what we did proud of what Adam [Shankman, the director] did. I was at a screening yesterday watching and Adam’s done an amazing job with it. I’m meeting with amazing producers and film makers that I never even thought I’d be meeting now and I’m being considered for amazing projects. As far as music goes, I got signed by Adam Levine and we’re gonna be working together on my third album, which is amazing! I’m a big fan of Adam and Maroon 5 and we hope to have something out later this year! I learned how to play the guitar for this movie. Now I don’t even turn on the TV. I just travel with my guitar and I’m singing songs. I picked it up and now I can’t leave it.

POTP: When you say you enjoyed making the movie, does that include wearing the boy band outfits?

Diego: NO! That does not include that. That is the one thing I was like ‘OH MY GOD!’ But that song is hilarious! It’s like, come on!