The 33-year-old musician spoke with us about his new solo album, and the recent moment with fans that also caught attention.
Last month, Nick Jonas paused a Jonas Brothers concert to do something he’s rarely done in two decades of living with type 1 diabetes: he shared his A1C level.
The moment—captured on video on November 14, which is World Diabetes Day—resonated deeply within the Dexcom Warrior community, a group of more than 30,000 people with diabetes who openly share their experiences. Some were in the arena that night. As the band of brothers celebrates its 20th anniversary as a group, Jonas is also marking a milestone of his own: 20 years since his diagnosis, at age 13.
Speaking last week with The Healthy, the superstar—whose year also includes a Hulu/Disney+ holiday movie, a world tour, and a just-announced upcoming solo album titled Sunday Best—reflected on his life managing type 1 diabetes. He talked about the early symptoms he missed as a teenager, the increasingly unpredictable blood sugar swings of his thirties, and the mental health habits he wishes more men discussed openly.
He also shared the long walks he takes to his daughter’s preschool in New York, the ways his wife Priyanka Chopra Jonas supports his health around the world, and why dedicating “A Little Bit Longer”—a song he wrote in a hotel lobby at the very beginning of his diagnosis—still hits just as hard two decades later.
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The Healthy: This year marks the Jonas Brothers’ 20th anniversary—which is huge—and also 20 years since your diabetes diagnosis. When you look back, what helped shape your advocacy for others living with type 1 diabetes?
Nick Jonas: There are so many incredible moments. This past week was really special—hosting an event for my nonprofit Beyond Type 1 and celebrating our 10-year journey. Hearing from so many people about how wide this community is and what it means to not only the individual living with the disease, but their friends and families, was moving. On this tour, at nearly every show, someone shares their diabetes journey with me—whether they’re newly diagnosed young people or people who’ve lived with it for many years. Hearing those experiences keeps me motivated to do my best each day.
The Healthy: You’ve surprised fans by dedicating the song “A Little Bit Longer” to the diabetes community. How has the song’s meaning evolved?
Nick Jonas: I wrote it in the lobby of a hotel. At first, it was a way to process what I was feeling—songwriting has always helped me express myself. But seeing what it now means to people who live with the disease or who’ve gone through difficult situations… Creating something that becomes a rally cry for people to persevere is incredibly meaningful. Doing it on World Diabetes Day—which coincides with my “diabetic anniversary”—made it even more special. My friends at Dexcom reposted the video and amplified it. That’s been a meaningful part of the partnership: having the ability to speak about something like this on such a broad stage.
The Healthy: You were diagnosed very young. What was that like, and what do you want people to know about signs or symptoms?
Nick Jonas: One of the most exciting things we did with Beyond Type 1 was a campaign called See the Signs. It was great to see there’s a real need for education, which is why I take pride in the advocacy work I do. Symptoms can go unnoticed or be chalked up to other things. When I was diagnosed, I’d lost a ton of weight, was urinating all the time, and had a really bad attitude. If someone came to me and said their 13-year-old was experiencing that, I’d say, “You need to get them tested for type 1.” I think misconceptions happen because type 2 is entirely different. Type 1 is an autoimmune disease that prohibits a person’s ability to produce insulin. Using my platform to educate—and in some cases even help save lives—makes the work all the more meaningful.
The Healthy: Touring is physically demanding, especially while managing type 1 diabetes. What does your day-to-day routine look like on the road?
Nick Jonas: I have a lot of practices I put into action on the road—some I’m super vigilant with, others I could improve. No day is perfect with type 1. The biggest thing now is taking pressure off myself. I’ve always been independent and hard on myself, which helps in some areas but can be difficult when you’re dealing with something unpredictable. For example, physical changes in my thirties affect my glucose. I used to be able to drink coffee without seeing a spike—now there’s a spike. I work closely with my doctor, and he’s nonjudgmental and helps with real-time adjustments. Something extremely helpful—as I mentioned in my speech—is that I had the best A1C since diagnosis, largely due to real-time readings from my Dexcom CGM [continuous glucose monitor]. Access to more data always improves results.
The Healthy: Longevity is a huge wellness topic right now. What habits support your long-term health?
Nick Jonas: One thing I’ve been doing recently is taking [products from] Cymbiotika. The vitamin C, glutathione, magnesium, and activated charcoal have been really helpful. I’ve seen a noticeable difference in my skin, hydration, and gut health. Longevity is a series of small adjustments that add up. I also think there’s not enough conversation about mental health and its effect on longevity—not just your mindset and peace, but also critical thinking and stress relief. I try to incorporate that into a weekly or biweekly routine. And in my 33-year-old body, I’m more aware I won’t bounce back as quickly from sickness or a night out. So I try to hydrate, stay healthy, and live long enough to see my daughter grow and live a beautiful life herself.
The Healthy: How does your wife, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, support you in managing type 1? And how do you talk to your daughter about your diabetes journey?
Nick Jonas: My wife is a huge part of my diabetes and wellness journey. It’s important for partners to share the experience—to understand what to do in emergencies and how glucose affects someone’s attitude. High glucose affects hormones, so you’re going to be edgier or irritable, and it’s better for your person to know that. She loves being able to see where I’m at in real time through the Dexcom CGM share feature. That gives both of us peace of mind.
With our daughter, she’s at the age of lots of “whys.” We’ve been transparent with her. She knows I wear an insulin pump and a Dexcom CGM. When she’s older, we’ll have a deeper conversation.
The Healthy: What’s one self-care ritual you refuse to skip, no matter how busy life gets?
Nick Jonas: A long walk. We’ve been in New York for the last nine or eight, 10 months, and I love walking from our apartment to our daughter’s preschool. It’s about 45 minutes each way.
Sometimes we walk through the park on the way home. It’s a great way to move your body and be outside. I used to play a lot of golf, which gives a similar feeling. It’s something I try to incorporate when I can. Golf can be a luxury, but it’s also a great way to be present. You can’t really be on your phone—you have to focus. And I like knowing it’s something I’ll never master. Having hobbies that bring joy and take your mind off stress is important.
The Healthy: What projects should we have on our radar heading into the new year?
Nick Jonas: I’m excited about the Disney+ and Hulu Christmas movie [A Very Jonas Christmas Movie] we just released. We’re on tour until Christmas, and I’ve been working on new solo music. The album is called Sunday Best. It comes out February 6. The themes are about our life in New York this year—my family and experiences—and a lot of self-talk and the human experience. I’m really excited about it.
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This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
