The Insider.com

Having a couple of things in common with Nick Jonas may be the coolest thing in the world -- especially when what you in have in common is that we both try to act cool when really we are both just musical theater nerds.

• November 16, 2011Watch as Selena Gomez and The Scene 'Hit The Lights'
• November 16, 2011Carlo Ponti Honors Mom Sophia Loren with Symphony
• November 16, 2011Christina Perri on Breaking Dawn red carpet
• November 16, 2011Asher Monroe Like I Do music video
• November 16, 2011Rebecca Black Person of Interest
• November 16, 2011Roma Music Video

That is just one of the amazing commonalities I discovered when Nick and I chatted over the phone yesterday.

Another? We share a deep love of NYC! "It is my favorite city in the world," he tells TheInsider.com. "I grew up in the theater, so I always feel the most comfortable there."

Talk then turned to legendary Broadway director Jerry Mitchell, whose tutelage Nick is once again under as he takes over for Daniel Radcliffe in How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. "I am excited to take over the role," Nick said. "Jerry directed me in Hairspray at the Hollywood Bowl this summer and it was a blast -- he's amazing."

That's when I told him how impressed I was with his turn as Marius in an O2 production of Les Miserables. But how does working on the Broadway stage compare to performing in concert? "I grew up in the theater long before I started singing pop, and that's all I’ve ever really known," he said.

As for the matter at hand, Nick's new project, the Quaker Chewy Superstar Search, he tells me, "We received thousands of entries online for The Next Singing Superstar. It was my job to first narrow down the top 30, and then finally to the top 5. From there it was out of my hands and America voted on the winner."

And America chose 14-year-old Gabrielle Giguere of Tampa, Florida, who was flown to Los Angeles to work with Nick on a song and shoot a music video!

Nick particularly spoke from the heart when talking about Gabrielle's talent. "I can see why America picked Gabrielle, I was always hoping that America would see in her what I saw in her, and they did." As for what he saw in her, Nick added, "It's all about the voice. It's not about a look, or clothes or whatever. A strong singing voice is the most important component in a singing career. She has that."

Fans can now view her music video of the original song, My Time, written and produced by Nick Jonas here! The video will also be included in Quaker Chewy television commercials airing on CMT, VH1 and Nick at Night from November 10 through November 13.