Nick Jonas is opening up about the emotional side of fatherhood and the beloved Disney movie that never fails to bring him to tears.
During a recent panel discussion for his upcoming film Power Ballad at New York City’s 92NY venue on May 18, the singer and actor shared a heartfelt parenting confession while appearing alongside his co-star Paul Rudd and director John Carney.
The conversation, moderated by entertainment journalist Josh Horowitz, turned emotional when Jonas was asked whether any films or songs consistently move him emotionally.
The Lion King Still Hits Hard
Jonas admitted that one movie in particular always gets to him when he watches it with his young daughter, Malti.
“When I cry over a movie, it’s The Lion King,” he shared during the panel.
© Roger Kisby/2026GGThe 33-year-old explained that revisiting childhood stories through the eyes of his daughter has completely changed the experience for him emotionally.
“There’s something really special about getting to share the stories that shaped me with her now,” he said, reflecting on how meaningful it has become to revisit beloved films as a parent.
Jonas also joked that he tends to become emotional while watching movies on airplanes, adding another relatable confession that drew laughs from the audience.
Fatherhood Has Changed His Perspective
The Jonas Brothers star also touched on how becoming a father has made certain moments in films resonate more deeply.
While discussing Power Ballad, Jonas mentioned there are scenes in the movie that especially impacted him because of the themes surrounding family and parenthood.
© Jordan Peck“There are two scenes that I’m not even in that hit me really hard as a father,” he said, hinting at emotional moments audiences can expect from the upcoming film.
Jonas welcomed daughter Malti Marie Chopra Jonas with wife Priyanka Chopra Jonas in 2022, and the couple has occasionally shared glimpses into their family life while still trying to maintain their daughter’s privacy.
Nick and Priyanka’s Protective Approach to Parenting
Earlier this year, Chopra opened up about how the couple navigates raising their daughter in the public eye.
Speaking on the Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast, the actress explained that they’ve become increasingly mindful about giving Malti as much normalcy as possible.
“As she’s getting older, we try to give her as much anonymity as we can,” Chopra shared.
The actress added that while she understands public curiosity surrounding celebrity children, she wants Malti to grow up feeling comfortable and secure around others rather than fearful of attention.
“She should have a sense of choice,” Chopra explained, emphasizing the importance of allowing their daughter to decide how public she wants her life to be in the future.
Priyanka Praises Nick’s Hands-On Parenting
Chopra has also spoken openly about how involved Jonas is as a father behind the scenes.
In a previous interview with Vogue Arabia, the actress described her husband as an incredibly attentive and active parent.
She recalled a recent morning when Jonas took charge of getting Malti ready for school while Chopra handled work obligations.
© Roy Rochlin“He did the cutest lopsided pigtails on her,” she said with a laugh, referring to a themed school event.
The actress also described their daughter as the center of their world, saying both she and Jonas constantly gravitate toward Malti no matter where work takes them.
Malti Has Already Joined Mom on Set
Despite their demanding careers, the couple has found ways to keep family life integrated into their busy schedules.
While filming her 2025 action-comedy Heads of State, Chopra brought Malti along to the set in Provence, France.
Speaking previously with E! News, the actress revealed that her daughter enjoyed spending time exploring local bakeries with her grandmother while filming took place.
“She had the most amazing time,” Chopra said, recalling how Malti would return from bakery trips carrying fresh croissants.
As Jonas and Chopra continue balancing Hollywood careers with parenthood, the couple’s candid stories about family life have resonated with fans — especially sweet moments like Nick tearing up over The Lion King while watching alongside his daughter.
