Nick Jonas Reflects on 21-Year Battle With Type 1 Diabetes in Emotional Open Letter

LOS ANGELES–Singer and actor Nick Jonas has opened up about the emotional and physical challenges of living with type 1 diabetes, revealing that he sometimes resents the condition despite learning to manage it over the past 21 years.

The 34-year-old Jonas Brothers member, who was diagnosed with diabetes at age 13, shared his reflections in an open letter marking National Diabetes Awareness Month in November.

Addressing diabetes as an “old friend,” Jonas described the constant monitoring, calculations and daily decisions required to manage his blood sugar levels.

“Hello, old friend. How long has it been? 21 years. 21 years, and you haven’t changed a bit … It’s funny how often we talk. Staring at my phone to see where my glucose is. Reaching for my pump to bolus because I’m about to eat something with 17 carbs. Those are just a couple of the hundreds of little decisions I make every week. Most people never notice them. But they add up to a real relationship, because that’s what diabetes is. It’s an ongoing conversation between your body, your mind and your devices,” Jonas wrote.

The singer explained that managing the condition has fundamentally changed his understanding of control and uncertainty.

Although he has learned valuable lessons from living with diabetes, Jonas acknowledged that the experience has also brought frustration and moments of resentment.

“I’d built my whole life around this unrealistic structure and belief that I was in control. You took that apart over the years, bit by bit. Part of me is grateful I learned that lesson. Part of me resents you for it. Full stop. There are days I wonder what life would feel like without you,” he wrote.

Jonas also reflected on the isolation he experienced during childhood and adolescence, saying he frequently struggled to find a sense of belonging.

He credited the diabetes community with helping him connect with people who understood his experiences and challenges.

“I always struggled to feel like I belonged anywhere. At school, I felt misunderstood. In most circles, for that matter. Through my childhood and youth, that was the theme. It wasn’t until I started talking openly about life with type 1, and meeting other people who were living it too, that I finally felt like I belonged somewhere,” he shared.

The singer said his decision to speak publicly about his diagnosis is motivated by a desire to support young people who may be frightened or uncertain about their future after learning they have the condition.

“I share my story for the 13-year-old who just got diagnosed and is lying in a hospital bed, scared to death. I want them to be able to look up and see someone out there living their dreams while managing all of this, every single day,” Jonas added.

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin, requiring people living with the disease to manage their blood glucose levels through insulin therapy and regular monitoring.

Jonas has been an outspoken advocate for diabetes awareness, using his public platform to highlight the realities of living with the condition while pursuing a career in music and entertainment.

His latest message underscores both the challenges of managing a lifelong illness and the importance of community support for people navigating similar experiences. (Source: IANS)