Why Don't We Surprises Patients with a Live Performance!

Written recap: Seacrest Studios intern, Victoria Cheng

Photos: Seacrest Studios staffer, Micah Bridges

Video: Footage from Seacrest Studios intern, Victoria Cheng and Seacrest Studios staffer Micah Bridges, edited by Micah Bridges and Chris Coleman Prep, Host, and Live Production: Seacrest Studios intern, Gavyn Bills and Seacrest Studios staffer Cody Hudson

Jonah Marais, Corbyn Besson, Daniel Seavey, Jack Avery and Zach Herron of the boyband, Why Don’t We, visited the Seacrest Studio at Children’s Hospital Colorado to meet patients and their families. Kids in the studio and hospital rooms were eager to chat with the band and we were even surprised with a live performance! 

As Why Don’t We’s number one fan, Maya started the interview with: “Is there a singer you would love to collaborate with in the future?” Ideas immediately started buzzing in the band members’ minds. Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber, Frank Ocean and John Bellion were some of the names mentioned. 

Morgan then asked the hilarious question, “If you were a Disney princess, which would you be…and can you sing like them?” Jonah immediately decided he would be Belle from Beauty and the Beast, the reason being that he wanted to “be Emma Watson.” “Can I be cliché and say Cinderella?” Jack asked. “I think she’s the most famous of all of them.” The band laughed at that, noting that Jack just wanted to be the most famous. Zach jumped in and said, “I would be Elsa from Frozen.” Of course, he sang a bit of “Let It Go” for the Frozen fans in the room. Cheers and applause erupted from the crowd after he finished. 

Ashley wondered how long the band had known Logan Paul for. The boys told the story of how they met the actor. During the last show of their first tour, they thought they saw Logan Paul in the crowd, but halfway through, he disappeared. Turns out, he snuck up from backstage and surprised the band. 

Of course, Miracle wanted to know how Why Don’t We got their name. The boys all started as solo artists, but also wanted to be part of a band. “We have the same music aspirations, and we’re already bros, so we were like, Why Don’t We?” Jack explained. “It kinda stuck and it’s just so spontaneous,” Corbyn added. “Our whole philosophy of music is to be spontaneous; we’re always dropping music, we’re always touring, we’re always doing shows. And we can use this name to make an impact and attach it to slogans like ‘Why Don’t We spread positivity?’ and ‘Why Don’t We love one another?’ so hopefully we can use that to make a difference.” 

Further questions revealed that Zach is the prankster of the group, Corbyn’s favorite game is League of Legends, and that Daniel once received 50 watermelon from a fan. Jack wanted to be a basketball player as a kid and Jonah likes to read. The band also loves making puns based on their name and their songs. 

We took a break from questions for a surprise performance by Why Don’t We. Patients watched in awe as the band sang a mashup of songs from their Something Different EP. As they revealed, “Something Different” is one of their favorite songs to perform on stage. Afterwards, Why Don’t We played Backwards Forwards in the Studio. They recorded their name and played it backwards. They thought it was hilarious because when their band name is played backwards, it sounds like “Hey, what up?” 

In the end, the boys nailed their band name in Backwards Forwards, so it looks like the name was a perfect choice. Before the band jumped right to autographs and photos with the kids, they left patients with some words of advice. “Always smile,” they said. “Do what you love and don’t let anyone tell you anything else. If you’re working hard for it, and you’re doing what you love, then you’re not working a day in your life. Stay true to yourself.”