Ryan Ross Hernandez may be the king of the confessional on his records, but all his heart-grouching, soulful missives about relationships, love, the lack thereof and being the occasional a--hole don’t measure up to the explosion of deeply personal details he reveals to Christopher Montgomery in the new issue of Rolling Stone, on sale at your local newsstands out February 23.

Given the type of news coverage he gets, it may surprise you to learn that Ryan Ross Hernandez is also a musician. He made his name with rock/pop band, PANIC!, for most of the past 6 years and within two years he was rewarded with his first Birdie win, followed by praise from every corner of the music industry as the lead guitarist, main composer, co-lyricist and occasional vocalist for the group out of Tennessee. From blues masters to rock stars to Nashville standouts. His gentle voice and introspective lyrics looked back to 1970s songwriters like James Taylor, and his guitar playing was versatile and masterful.

If Hernandez was mute, and only let his music do the talking he would be universally loved. Unfortunately, that isn't the case. In early-2007, PANIC! broke through the music charts. With the release of their third studio album, Nobody Puts Baby in the Corner, a record that some have called "pop-punk perfection", the band quickly became loved by tweens around the world. When they began to top the charts around the world, Ryan Ross Hernandez' wallet started expanding. By 2008, he was out of his quiet two-bedroom apartment in the outsides of downtown Nashville to a multimillion dollar nine-bedroom villa in a gated community outside L.A known to house many fellow celebrities. As soon as he started making many famous friends, dating A-list Hollywood actresses, and seen out-and-about at nightclubs and dining at 5-star restaurants in Los Angeles, New York City, and Miami, Hernandez became a media-sweetheart.

Despite all those new distractions, Ryan never stopped making music. In 2008, Hernandez' announced his solo career which just continued his bands' footsteps, success-wise. There hadn’t been a new solo male rock star in the music business since Lenny Kravitz, and Hernandez fit the bill. He wrote hit songs—the ballads “Your Arms Feel Like Home,” which went to number one, “A Never-Ending Trip to Heartbreak” and “(I Know) The World Is Black & White,” the peppy and clever “From Now On We Are; Friends, Lovers, or Enemies,” the bluesy “Loneliness Is My New Best Friend” and the soulful “Something's Missing”—that were solidly constructed from warm sentiments and sophisticated music detail. He wrote “some of the most women—friendly anthems this side of Eve Ensler,” one journalist swooned. Not since Sting had a male singer been both so popular and so respected.

And so handsome, too. Hernandez, a taut six-foot-three, was soon dating the kind of beauties who populate magazine covers. For the last 2 years, we've only seen the much wanted bachelor with equally wanted A-list Hollywood celebrities around his arm; Rachel MacDonald, Michelle Flanagan, Jill Casey, Katie Beckett, and most recent Emily Williams. Which has lead the media to speculate he only dates fellow celebrities to bring himself more attention. Alongside his music career he’s lately had a parallel life as a tabloid topic, due to his romance with actress Emily Williams. They were together from March 2009 to January 2010. Right before he and Williams split, Hernandez released Dark Secret Love, the best record of his career, a set of related songs in which he mourns lost love, rejoices in his independence and castigates himself for romantic failure. The album has been rumored to have fueled problems between the two.

Hernandez grew up in Miami, Florida, a only child raised by his single-mother. Ryan has never been willing to talk much about his childhood, the only thing we know is that he has never meet his father and that he considers his grandmother as more of a mother than his birth mother. Ryan's musical knowledge led him to Middle Tennessee Sate University, which he left after two semesters after he joined a band called Secret Lovers, which later became known as PANIC!. He admits to being really shy, up until he was sixteen, he has said in past interviews that he didn't have his first kiss or girlfriend until he was seventeen. He is beloved (though not universally) as one of the few uncensored stars, speaking with wit and impetuousness. He fills his Twitter feed with quips and advice, returning often to a few favorite topics: his dreams, his love of junk food, criticizing the music his fellow peers make and having sex. Hernandez has been “creating a new paradigm of fame,” veteran music blogger Bob Lester for Spin Magazine wrote. As another journalist puts it, “Hernandez takes self-awareness to new postmodern heights,” like a american football player who provides “color commentary on his own career.”

Rolling Stone contributing editor met with Hernandez twice: first at the singer’s $19.5 million nine-bedroom villa in a gated community outside L.A., where Hernandez poured glasses of 16-year-old Lagavulin neat; and then over lunch in Brooklyn a few hours before he taped his performance for VH1 Storytellers. Montgomery reports, “Ryan Ross Hernandez talks the way he plays guitar solos—the words tumble out fast, like notes, and he may go on for as long as five minutes. He’ll jump out into different themes and suddenly slip in a new idea, but he always returns to his initial theme. He’s a prodigious talker, and he always brought up touchy subjects—his relationships with ex-girlfriends, or his reputation as a douche bag—before I mentioned them, to show he wasn’t afraid to address them. From his soft-spoken songs you can’t tell how stubborn and defiant he is. Or how much he loves talking about sex. Or how mischievous he is. When I met him in the kitchen of his L.A. home he was talking about not talking anymore: ‘I think the world would be better off if I stopped doing interviews,’ he said. So we started there.”

Edited by user 19 February 2010 14:19:37(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Rolling Stone: You put in a lot of hours playing the guitar, but it also seems you were quick to pick up music theory, harmony, composition.

HERNANDEZ: I’m wired for it. I’m lucky I found a thing I was wired for, and I found it at 15. I’ve already won one of the biggest gambles of all time, which was to forgo an education so I could pursue a real all-or-none scenario. I look pretty fucking smart for having done that, though it doesn’t change the fact that it was crazy.

Rolling Stone: You have a level of self-consciousness that seems like it could be exhausting.

HERNANDEZ: Maybe that’s the douche bag part of it. Maybe I’m so meta-aware that it’s off-putting to people. But I’m old enough to know I need to change. I’m getting tired of the illusion of control. I think I’ve made my best record now, at my lowest point of confidence.

Rolling Stone: You wanted to become a rock star, and now that you are one, it’s ruined your confidence? That’s odd.

HERNANDEZ: Lately I’ve realized it’s okay to enjoy being a rock star. Like, it might actually be fun to wear sunglasses in the airport and sit in the first-class lounge as a fucking rock star who’s about to go on a world tour. I had related it to something so painful, so frustrating, so confusing, that it would give me a tension headache. Being a famous musician seemed to have brought misunderstanding and strife and a fist in the back of the head when I read something about myself. I wrote this line yesterday: “Someday soon these will just be things we used to do.” I’m sort of making a list of all the things I know I’m going to laugh at myself for taking so seriously.

Rolling Stone: So you can already imagine your future?

HERNANDEZ: This is going to sound odd, but sometimes I meet the 30-year-old me and say, “What do I do?” And 30-year-old me says, “Don’t do every scheduled interview. Go to the zoo instead. You’re going to be fine, you knucklehead. Stop overthinking what people say.” I’m trying to fold over time, to see it as a random-access hard disk where I can move to any point in time and change the way I see today.

Rolling Stone: Why 30-year-old you?

HERNANDEZ: By 30, hopefully, I'll have my life at the place I imagine it in my head. Retired from music, doing some acting here and there but just really focusing on me, you know. By 30, I want to find that perfect woman that makes me dream about making her my wife.

Rolling Stone: That is rather strange. Not many musicians call it quits when their 30, in fact some would consider that their prime.

HERNANDEZ: I look at it from the standpoint of a football player. By 30, I would have done this music game for 12 years. If I make 50 million dollars a year for the next 8 years, I'd be set for life. At 30, I don't want to be touring or feeling time-pressure to record music. I'll still be producing music and I'll be acting but I don't want that hectic schedule of a artist when I turn 30. I think 8 more years is a good amount of time, after which, I shall ride into the sunset.

Rolling Stone: You said there are still things you don’t have. What are those things?

HERNANDEZ: I could make anybody understand that my life is not all rainbows and unicorns, but why would I want to? I’m sort of selling them the idea that it’s rainbows and unicorns. I could explain that, in fact, I’m not a douche bag, but that would be at the expense of believing in magic. I don’t want to tear down the facade. People want to imagine that if they get a record deal, they can buy a Ferrari. People need that. I don’t want to take that away from people. Anything I don’t have is a direct descendant of the things I do have. I mean, let’s say there’s a 12 percent chance I’ll never marry and have kids because the music career fucked me in some way. If that’s the case, I still know it’s my calling. I hold out hope that there’s a way to be a supernatural being onstage and an extremely natural being at home.

Rolling Stone: Why are you so anxious about the possibility of never getting married?

HERNANDEZ: What if I meet a woman and it’s love at first sight, and this woman has the greatest night of her life by telling me to fuck off because she knows my reputation? I always say, “Turning me down is the new sleeping with me.” What is a guy supposed to say to a girl who says “You do this all the time”? Girls always say that. Sometimes they say “I’ve been warned about you.” But I can undo that in a couple of days. I have a line for that: “Keep your warning for a while; let’s take it slow.”

Rolling Stone: Were you one of those people who thought fame would be rainbows and unicorns?

HERNANDEZ: I had a conversation about fame with Ashley [Perry, PANIC! lead vocalist] right before moving to Hollywood. She knew about my relationship with Rachel [MacDonald], and she said, “Do you understand what this entails?” Two weeks later I had people outside my house. I was smart enough to know it would probably make me a salable item for the paparazzi. I knew I’d have to move to a home that had a gate. But that pearl of possibility that lives in your heart when you meet somebody you want to know more about has such a different molecular density than everything else that you have to pursue it. And I wouldn’t undo it, man. Because if it had worked out, I would have reaped the benefits. I would be sitting here saying, “What I have when I go home is the thing I’ve always wanted.”

Rolling Stone: Have any of your past girlfriends heard Dark Secret Love?

HERNANDEZ: Yes. Emily has. I played it for her as the record was being made. As for the rest, it is a toss-up.

Rolling Stone: What did she say?

HERNANDEZ: Look, there’s a level of honesty in that record that probably made her uncomfortable, but I couldn’t let that change the way I wrote songs. She understood that. There were moments when she said, “What’s that line?” Like, “That’s not about me, is it?” When she heard Dark Secret Love she just wanted to be able to say “I want to know that you hold me correctly in your heart.”

Rolling Stone: What percentage of the album is about Williams?

HERNANDEZ: I don’t want to say. I feel bad because people think “A Never-Ending Trip to Heartbreak” is about her. I want to go on record saying it’s not. That song is about sort-of a love-hate relationship. It is autobiographical about an ex but it is not about Emily. That woman would never put anyone through hurting someone on purpose. That woman was the most communicative, sweetest, kindest person. When people hear the record, I hope the songs make them think about their lives, not my life. Like, when you listen to Coldplay, do you think about Gwyneth Paltrow? I don’t write songs in order to stick it to my exes. I don’t release underground dis tracks. [laughs] All I'll say is that I've never written and will never write a negative song about Emily.

Rolling Stone: You’ve rarely talked about your past relationships with other celebrities. All those women have rarely talked about you.

HERNANDEZ: I just have a regard for their feelings that is pretty intense. Whether they've been a year long relationship or a three month relationship, they've been deep relationships, and it’s no longer taking place at all. Have you ever loved somebody, loved her completely, but had to end the relationship for life reasons?

Rolling Stone: Did you send any of your past girlfriends a copy of the CD after it was done?

HERNANDEZ: Yes. My two most recent girlfriends, Katie and Emily I have personally handed them a copy of it.

Rolling Stone: For any particular reason?

HERNANDEZ: No. I just felt if they've been inspirations for me, as I wrote the album they deserve a right to hear it.

Rolling Stone: In the past, you've mentioned that you just have to please the girls with your music. What do you mean by that?

HERNANDEZ: My hits are not hits. "Your Arms Feel Like Home" is the biggest hit I've ever had, maybe ever will have. There wasn't a ton of music in that song. It's a novelty tune. I don't have GirlSpice or Madison O'Leary-sized hits; I'm trying to get hits on my terms, hits without selling out the musicality. I'm well aware that every night I look out at the crowd, I'd say 88% of the audience at my shows are women. I know that those 88% of women bring in the biggest sells for me, so why not just embrace the fact. I don't have a problem with it at all. Better than seeing a sea of dudes.

Rolling Stone: You've been very outspoken in the past when it comes to your political beliefs. But you've never said what particular political party you have voted for in the past. Are you even any particular political party?

HERNANDEZ: [laughs] I'm a white guy, I'm rich, and I'm not gay. What party do you think I support? Of course I'm a Republican voter. Blacks, low income people, and homosexuals are the only ones that vote Democratic.

Rolling Stone: Aren't those a little stereotypical comments?

HERNANDEZ: That's how I was brought up. My household was either the greatest sarcastic group of people or the most stereotypical people since the 50's. The only person I really loved growing up was my grandmother but I have no problem saying that she was so stereotypical. Whenever she heard about a crime on the news, she always thought it was the black guy or the illegal immigrant. She is very Catholic, she sticks to those beliefs 'til death. So of course, I grew up in a very close-minded environment. That's why there hasn't been any homosexuals in my family. If their were you'd probably get your ass kicked every member of the family would take turns.

Rolling Stone: So you are both a Republican, Conservative and were brought up in a very anti-homosexual environment. I'm guessing you don't support same-sex marriage?

HERNANDEZ: I don't have a problem with it. I'm very neutral to it because I'm not very religious unlike my family. I know I'm gonna get shit for that but I'd be lying if I said I was in favor or against it. You shouldn't be asking a guy who compares marriage to suicide.

Rolling Stone: You understand that those are the types of comments that get you in hot water and lead to people calling you a asshole?

HERNANDEZ: It depends on what I picked up. If a guy listens to my music, nine out of ten would say I'm a fucking fagget. If a women listens to my music, 99% of them would say I'm God's gift to women. My hit songs are the ones I've written when I was in a shithole, emotionally. If you think those songs are pandering, then you’ll think I’m a douche bag. It’s like I come on very strong. And if you can’t handle me being realistic, then I’m a douche bag. But I think the world needs a little real. I bring a new, deeper meaning to real.

Rolling Stone: Well many of your peers criticize you for being a douche bag to other musicians. Do you ever feel that you should just keep your mouth shut and just ignore the music you dislike?

HERNANDEZ: Why should I? I live in the United States. I can say whatever the fuck and I want and get away with it. If I want I could go in front of the White House and yell, "Fuck you Obama! You suck!". If voicing my opinion is being a douche bag then yes by all means I am a douche. The biggest ever! If pop divas don't like me criticizing their music they can either A) cry themselves to sleep or B) just make better music.

Rolling Stone: You have been very critical when it comes to well most music. We know what music you dislike, what about the music you enjoy from current artist?

HERNANDEZ: Pass.

Rolling Stone: You serious?

HERNANDEZ: Yes I am. I pass. Next question.

Rolling Stone: Well you've been known for dating, God knows how many celebrities, whether it be actresses or supermodels. But you've never dated a fellow musician, is that some unwritten rule you have?

HERNANDEZ: No, not really. I guess I've just never been very attracted to any fellow artist. Although I do believe their are some that are very attractive. I just won't to date a musician because I want to be the only person in a relationship that is one. So, when we break-up I get to write a record about it, I wouldn't want to hear a record about me.

Rolling Stone: Let’s put some names out there. Let’s get specific.

HERNANDEZ: Before I start, I just want to clarify that I would never date a musician I'd sleep with them. Well, all-girl groups are all attractive, I wouldn't mind coming out drunk of a club in Los Angeles with all the Dynamite chicks with lipstick all over my face going, "Double jeopardy bitch!". New artist Alicia Lena is very attractive, which is strange 'cause I'm into black girls a lot but she is like "I'd sleep with you and actually stay until the morning"-material. Madison O'Leary in some strange way I find attractive. But at the same time she might even be stronger than me, so that would freak me out a little. Nadia, that former GirlSpice chick, is extremely attractive, like, crazy white girl attractive which that is the best kind of fuck.

Edited by user 18 February 2010 10:13:18(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Good interview. I remember when the media would always chase me around. These days I just try to stay as secret as possible about my personal life so no media won't come printing off fake tabloids of nothing that I truely said. Bunch of bitches. But I guess that's just how it is once you become famous and keep it that way?
-Regan Futrell

Tim Dunn: Like I said on the radio this morning, that kid has got a good head on his shoulders. There is something special there, ambition, drive, and passion are a powerful combination.

OOC: Yeah, I mean I noticed that too when I was re-reading when I was completed with it but I spent so much time on it I was too lazy to change it. It isn't really on purpose but at the same time it makes sense because RRH's first 2 albums have been 94% percent about girls. But thanks though.

God dammit, I'm sick of this bullshit. Its all a fucking game to you, isn't it? All this 'I'm gonna make a big deal out of being a dick' and 'rocking boats' shit is ridiculous, every time I look around, it's just more hypocritical acting. You bent over backwards for others, and then you take a 180 turn and say you're done trying to please people, when anyone can see as clear as day your just changing it up, finding a new way to whore your self to everybody. You should've just stuck to making produced pop-punk shit, at least then you would have the decency to dissapear after your 3 years of fame were up. All this acting and "blues" makes me sick.

-Matt
Black Gold Reign

Wow dude, really good interview, love your music both solo and with PANIC!, keep up the good work

-Caleb