For years, Frankie Jonas lived in the shadow of his older brothers Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas. That commodification birthed the popular nickname “Bonus Jonas” at the height of his brothers’ popularity. While the brothers played into it, the youngest Jonas felt otherwise about the popular nickname. Now, Joe Jonas has apologized for the nickname after his younger brother shared some blunt thoughts about it.
It can't be easy when your brothers are international superstars, but it can be even harder when the public gives you a label without your input. Tabloid nicknames and hybrid couple names came with the territory in the 2000s, though. Unfortunately, Jonas’ nickname casts a shadow over him as a person, and the youngest Jonas brother gave his honest thoughts about it, saying:
I always hated that nickname. A lot of my problem with being in the public eye was that I was seen as this commodified vision of myself.
Like son many child stars, Frankie Jonas was pushed behind a person, which arguably didn't allow people to know him as well as they knew his siblings. At the height of the Jonas Brothers’ Disney dominance, it seemed like the nickname “Bonus Jonas” was used just about every he popped up with his older brothers. Unbeknownst to fans, that nickname carried too much weight for a young boy to handle. Knowing the private struggles Jonas experienced really makes on consider the media’s role in celebrities’ mental struggles.
During the same Bustle interview, Frankie Jonas advocated for self-care as he spoke on prioritizing himself. He even revealed the Hollywood spotlight drove him away from the public eye, before he found fame on the immensely popular social media app TikTok. When it came to the “Bonus Jonas” nickname, his brother Joe Jonas chimed in. The older Jonas stated in the interview:
I refused to call Frankie ‘Bonus Jonas’ after he opened up to me about how that was hurtful to him. It completely makes sense, and we’ve had lengthy conversations and apologies behind closed doors that showcased my understanding and respect for his wishes. I think to feel like you are second, third, or fourth best from something is unfair; we are all equals.
Joe Jonas’ apology is a strong validation of Frankie Jonas’ feelings about the notorious nickname. Sometimes, all someone needs are for loved ones to acknowledge the responsibility they have in others’ personal struggle. It's nice to see Joe Jonas speak out in support of his younger brother and acknowledge his own use of the nickname. With mental health becoming increasingly important, it was important for the youngest Jonas to speak his truth.
At present, Frankie Jonas seems to be enjoying his own fame through his popular TikTok account. While his brothers continue to dominant music, flim and television landscapes, the youngest Jonas is steadily making a path for himself. You never know, he might even meet or surpass his brothers in popularity and influence at some point.
