Nick Jonas admits he sometimes ‘resents’ living with diabetes in an open letter to the disease

Nick Jonas admitted he sometimes “resents” having diabetes and opened about why.  

In an open letter for Dexcom’s A Letter to Diabetes campaign, the singer reflected on how having type 1 diabetes changed his outlook on life and eventually helped him find a community among people with similar experiences. The initiative features people sharing their journeys with diabetes in celebration of National Diabetes Awareness Month and World Diabetes Day on November 14. 

Nick, who was diagnosed at 13, marked 21 years of living with the condition by addressing it as an old companion. 

“Hello, old friend,” Nick began in his open letter. “How long has it been? Twenty-one years. Twenty-one years, and you haven’t changed a bit.” 

He described how monitoring his blood sugar and calculating the carbohydrates in his meals have become regular parts of his life. 

“It’s funny how often we talk,” he continued. “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.” 

Although these routines may go unnoticed by other people, Nick said they represent a “real relationship” because of the constant attention required to manage his health.  

“It’s an ongoing conversation between your body, your mind and your devices,” the singer continued. 

He likened his relationship with the condition to that of family members, explaining that there are times when managing it feels easier and other moments when things become difficult despite his best efforts.  

The singer also recalled how difficult it was to adjust to a condition that challenged his belief that he could keep everything in his life under control. 

“When we first met, your unpredictability threw me. 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.” 

He maintained: “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.” 

Still, his experience eventually led him to discover something he had long struggled to find: a place where he felt accepted. 

Nick shared that he often felt out of place growing up, but connecting with other people living with diabetes changed that experience. 

“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 explained. 

For Nick, being open about his diagnosis is also a way to encourage young people who are only beginning to understand what living with the condition means. 

The singer said he does not want his story to center on being a “victim.” Instead, he hopes his experiences can show others that they can continue working toward their ambitions while managing diabetes. 

“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,” he said. 

He ended his letter by reaffirming his commitment to speaking honestly about his journey to help others feel less isolated. 

“So thank you, old friend, for the lessons I never asked for. I’m going to keep sharing my story and telling the truth, so someone out there feels a little less alone,” Nick concluded. 

Nick previously recounted how he discovered he had type 1 diabetes during his teenage years. In a July 2025 appearance on Penn Badgley’s podcast Podcrushed, he said he initially experienced several symptoms without knowing what they meant. 

“I started losing a ton of weight and, you know, drinking a ton of water, used the bathroom all the time, all the signs now that I know are symptoms of type 1 diabetes,” he recalled. 

“I had no idea. I just knew that I wasn’t feeling well and was losing all this weight,” he continued, adding, “It’s actually a testament to the lack of information and awareness there was around type 1 at this time.” 

He also recalled how his older brother, Joe Jonas, became concerned about his weight loss while they were on tour and contacted their parents. 

Nick eventually sought medical attention, where he learned just how high his blood glucose levels had become. 

With the support of his doctors, Nick was able to return to performing onstage within a week of receiving his diagnosis.