5 Questions With: Jesse McCartney

Jesse McCartney's been around longer than you probably think. He got his start in 2001 with the boy band Dream Street, then landed a role in the short-lived (but well-loved) teen drama 'Summerland.' In 2004, he found multi-platinum success with his debut solo album, 'Beautiful Soul.'

Last year, the 21-year-old McCartney unveiled a more mature look and sound with his third album, 'Departure,' which spawned the hit single 'Leavin'.' Since then, he's been linked to a bevy of high-profile starlets, like Aubrey O'Day and Danielle Panabaker, and was on the short list for the leading role in M. Night Shyamalan's live-action adaptation of 'The Last Airbender.' Next, he'll guest-star on the third season of the ABC Family series 'Greek,' premiering March 30.

The singer-slash-actor took time out of his busy schedule to talk to AOL TV about all things 'Greek,' what he's given up to keep his music career on track and setting the record straight (sort of) about those Hayden Panettiere rumors. -- By Katy Kroll

1. Was it a stretch for you to play a jock-slash-frat boy?
It was different. I never really experienced college firsthand. So that was new for me. But the jock thing I can relate to. I played sports all through high school; I was a baseball player. [On 'Greek'] I play a high school football recruit named Andy, so that was kinda easy to connect with. But it definitely was a new experience for me, getting used to the Greek life and the whole brotherhood that comes with being in a fraternity. It was a great time.

2. So will you be singing on the show?
[Laughs.] Nope. As far as I'm concerned, Andy's tone deaf. He's just Andy the football player who is a college freshman.

3. It's supposed to be a six-episode arc, but might you return?
It's left open-ended, so I'd love to come back. They've invited me back, and we're going to try to work something out. It's been a balancing act with, you know, the show and my music career. I've got the record 'Departure: Recharged' coming out and the new single ['How Do You Sleep?'] with Ludacris is doing really well right now. I'm trying my best to balance the two.

4. Speaking of balancing acts, are you disappointed that your role in the movie 'The Last Airbender' fell through and was given to Dev Patel?
Not really. I mean, you know, it would have been fun. It would have been really cool to work with M. Night, who is an amazing director. I still keep in touch with him, and I'm probably going to work with him in the future. But as far as timing and stuff, it just didn't work. There was a lot going on as far as pre-production of the film and the amount of time that it was going to take away from what I needed to be doing musically. All the momentum I had behind the album 'Departure' probably would have fallen through, and I needed to tour. So it was unfortunate, but it all worked out for the best.

5. Completely off topic: What's up with the rumor that you're dating Hayden Panettiere?
[Pause] There's a new rumor every week. The last one I heard was, like, Taylor Swift, who's cool but I've never met her. I actually know Hayden. I've known her for years -- since she was 9 years old. We had the same [talent] agent growing up, so she's been a friend for years. But there's nothing going on there, really.

Jesse McCartney Photos

NEW YORK - MARCH 08: American recording artist Jesse McCartney (L) and actress Keke Palmer attend the 10th annual T.J. Martell Foundation Family Day at Roseland Ballroom on March 8, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Joe Corrigan/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jesse McCartney;Keke Palmer

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NEW YORK - MARCH 08: American Recording artist Jesse McCartney attends the 10th annual T.J. Martell Foundation Family Day at Roseland Ballroom on March 8, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Joe Corrigan/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jesse McCartney

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Singer Jesse McCartney attends the 10th annual T.J. Martell Foundation Family Day at Roseland Ballroom on March 8, 2009 in New York City. 10th Annual T.J. Martell Foundation Family Day Roseland Ballroom New York, NY United States March 8, 2009 Photo by Jason Kempin/WireImage.com To license this image (56929846), contact WireImage.com

Jason Kempin/WireImage.com

NEW YORK - MARCH 06: Singer Jesse McCartney attends the after party for The Cinema Society and Details screening of "I Love You, Man" at the Soho Grand Hotel on March 6, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jesse McCartney

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Jesse McCartney performs at the Nokia Theatre on February 26, 2009 in New York City. Jesse McCartney in Concert - February 26, 2009 Nokia Theatre New York, NY United States February 26, 2009 Photo by Eugene Gologursky/WireImage.com To license this image (56859328), contact WireImage.com

Eugene Gologursky/WireImage.com