Ansel Elgort Turns ‘DJ Ansolo’? Actor Signs With Major Label As DJ

Actor Ansel Elgort is taking on a brand new role, but it apparently has nothing to do with his acting career!

The Insurgent actor reportedly signed a deal with a major record label as a professional DJ.

Just Jared reports that the 21-year-old actor is now a signed artist with Island Records, joining an extensive list of popular acts including Nick Jonas, Shawn Mendes, and Kiesza.

Ansel Elgort, who will create music under the name “DJ Ansolo,” released an official statement confirming the news and opening up about his new adventure.

“I am extremely excited to be a part of the Island family. As a label, Island has been a tastemaker in [the] industry. They put out music that touches many people but stays unique and fresh at the same time. As Ansolo I want to do something special and unexpected and I know Island will be the perfect place to do that.”

According to the report, Ansel Elgort already has his first single and performance lined up.

The highly anticipated debut single of DJ Ansolo, “To Life,” is currently scheduled for release on September 18 via digital retailers.

Ansel Elgort is also joining his label mates Tuesday night at the Best Buy Times Square Theater for the Island Records and Marriott Rewards Concert.

During an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Ansel shared the story of how his deal with Island Records came to be a reality in the first place.

Elgort was actually surprised that Island Records was so interested in his music, especially after his tracks that were “radio-friendly” and “poppy” were apparently rejected.

“The ones that were more radio-friendly, they were like, ‘No, we’ve heard this before. We want the different ones. We want the special records.’ I was like, ‘Major labels aren’t supposed to like these records!’ I thought the point of a major label was to just release crap! But Island totally proved that wrong and was like, ‘We want the best record that all the kids at the dance-music festivals are going to love.'”

When discussing his goals as a professional musician, Ansel Elgort expressed that he essentially wants his music to make a lasting impact with his fans.

“My goal is just to make the records. My goal is to make the records that people know and people love that will last for more than a year. I want people to say, ‘Oh, wow, that Ansolo record… remember that one from five years ago? That one’s sick.’ I’m going to start my set off today with a Jamiroquai record that’s going to go into a new dance record that no one’s ever heard before. [The Jamiroquai record] is ‘Canned Heat.’Everybody knows ‘Canned Heat’! Everybody remembers it. That record didn’t go away in a year because it’s an amazing record.”

Even though Ansel Elgort is working as a professional DJ with Island Records, the talented actor is not stepping away from the movie set anytime soon. According to IMDB, Ansel has numerous films in different stages of production, including November Criminals, Allegiant Part 1, and Code Name Veil.

[Image Credit: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images]