The young actor and musician has been at the center of the internet rumor mill multiple times — first for an alleged love triangle with his High School Musical: The Musical: The Series costar Olivia Rodrigo, and most recently speculation about his sexuality after he praised Harry Styles for being hot.
But instead of dwelling on what he can’t control, Bassett says he’s been focusing on the positives of the past year.
“I’ve been reading a lot and trying to work on myself and just grow,” he says, citing The Art of the Idea, This Thing Called You, and The Untethered Soul as “game changers” in his reading list.
As for his music, Bassett released a self-titled EP in March but is already excited about its follow-up because of how different it’s going to be from what he’s already released.
“They don’t have to be country but country-esque things where I’m like, ‘Oh, these are a little bit more folky, country stuff.
Looking ahead to this season of HSMTMTS, Bassett was thrilled to see his onscreen alter ego Ricky Bowen experience the same kind of growth he had in real life over the past year.
Ricky goes through a lot of changes this season, with his mom moving across to the country to moving from a house into a small apartment with his dad, and then his discovery that his new girlfriend Nini is leaving to attend a prestigious drama school.
“You’ll see how both of them have to prioritize their school and each other, and I think it’s a super relatable thing for people in high school or even when people who try to stay together while they go off to college, it can be pretty challenging.
“Ricky basically has had a tough year and he’s trying to think of a gift for Nini,” Bassett says.