An unexpected musical detour from Matt Bomer led to unreleased tracks with Diane Warren and others—here's what happened behind the scenes
Hidden away in a studio archive are a handful of unreleased songs featuring two-time Emmy-nominated actor Matt Bomer and 17-time Oscar-nominated songwriter Diane Warren. Bomer disclosed the existence of these recordings during a conversation with Josh Horowitz on the podcast Happy Sad Confused, explaining that the material was connected to the 2015 film Magic Mike XXL. The tracks began as casual sessions tied to the movie’s soundtrack and grew into something more ambitious before practical concerns put the brakes on an official release.
The genesis of Bomer’s vocal contributions dates back to the ripple effect of the 2012 original film’s success. While shooting the sequel, co-star Channing Tatum asked Bomer to entertain the set’s background artists between takes, and a cover he chose sparked interest from producers. That improvised moment led to Bomer performing a cover in the sequel — a turn that culminated with him recording versions of songs for the film and its surrounding projects. One of those recordings was arranged by Ludwig Göransson, who would later be recognized with a third Oscar, and the sessions also intersected with creatives like Donald Glover, who appeared in the same film.
What began as a few studio runs turned into the prospect of a proper release. Bomer says a pair of tracks landed on streaming platforms and drew surprising attention on Spotify, which prompted interest from outlets such as Tower Records about a possible album. The actor, who revealed he has been composing music since childhood, then wrote three original songs and was lined up to work with a roster of producers. The plan shifted from one-off soundtrack moments to the idea of an EP that could stand on its own, fueled by the organic reaction to those initial recordings.
The sessions brought together notable figures from both film and music. Besides Göransson, Bomer recorded with the acclaimed songwriter Diane Warren, whom he described as a “total legend.” These pairings illustrated the cross-pollination between Hollywood and the music world, showing how a film project can open doors to established songwriting and production talent. Although the recordings reflected a genuine creative impulse, they were still rooted in the film environment rather than a premeditated musical career move.
Despite the momentum, Bomer ultimately decided against releasing the planned material, citing several logistical and personal factors. He pointed to complex negotiations about ownership and revenue—people asking for large percentages—which created legal complications involving lawyers and contracts. On top of that came the realities of family life: as a parent with family commitments, he was reluctant to take on the intensive promotional obligations a release would require. The combination of legal wrangling and personal priorities made the release unworkable at that time.
Bomer was candid about the non-musical demands tied to releasing an album: talk-show appearances, interviews and national touring. He felt that if he were going to properly put music out into the world, it needed to reflect his full ownership and engagement. For him, that meant not only having control over the material but being prepared to champion it publicly. Without that alignment, he chose to keep the recordings in the vault rather than launch a project that would require commitments he could not make.
For now, the sessions exist as a fascinating footnote in Bomer’s career: a bridge between his acting work on Magic Mike XXL and a latent musical impulse that brought him into contact with high-profile collaborators. The recordings are described as rough tracks, and while they generated some streaming traction and industry interest, their release would need a fresh decision from Bomer and the parties involved. Whether those vault tracks ever surface, they underscore how quickly on-set moments can evolve into unexpected creative detours.
Ultimately, this story highlights the complicated intersection of the entertainment and music industries: quick inspiration can lead to serious offers, but the practicalities of contracts, promotion and family life shape final outcomes. The two-time Emmy-nominated Matt Bomer chose to prioritize those considerations and keep the material private for now, leaving fans to wonder what those collaborations with a 17-time Oscar-nominated songwriter and other industry figures might sound like if shared in the future.