as published on etalk.ca

July 25, 2016

Nick Jonas on connecting with fans, touring with Demi Lovato, and that Joe Jonas shirtless snap

While some musicians have made headlines in recent months for cancelling meet-and-greets with fans (ahem, Justin Bieber), Nick Jonas says he’s motivated to connect with his followers in person to keep his success in perspective.

“I think it’s a general awareness of the fact that I’m extremely fortunate to be in the position I'm in,” Nick told etalk in Toronto Saturday ahead of his “Future Now” tour stop with Demi Lovato. “My dad always said when I was younger… that there are always people working harder, so you gotta get out there and do your best, put your best foot forward, and remember that perspective is so important.”

The “Close” singer, who has type 1 diabetes, took time to meet fans also living with the disease ahead of his concert, an initiative of his Beyond Type 1organization and Sun Life Financial.

“Any chance I get to meet other diabetics is very important to me, and hopefully encouraging for them,” he says. "Maybe sharing my story encourages them in some way. And I’m also living with the disease so I need that encouragement too.”

We got the scoop from Nick on his motivating words for fans, how the tour’s going, and whether there’s any sibling rivalry between him and Joe. 

Do you have a message when you meet these fans who also have diabetes? 

The message is just you can do whatever you want in your life while living with the disease. I try to stay on top of it as possible. And there are days that are challenging and I certainly don't have it all figured out. But I think it’s encouraging in some way just to say you're not alone. And that I'm up here doing what I love and was diagnosed at 13... it became ammunition to get out there and work that much harder and not let this slow me down.

You’ve been on tour for almost a month now. What’s the best part of touring with Demi Lovato?

The best part of touring with Demi is she's one of my closest friends for about 10 years now. [We've] been through a lot together and have come out the other side and are in a really good spot both creatively, artistically and as best friends. 

Is she still obsessed with Pokemon Go?

I actually haven’t seen her playing it as much. But It's never too late to pick it back up.

You recently posted a pretty epic-looking day-off photo on Instagram. What’s your ideal day without a show?

It was probably that one. I was in the Hamptons, I've never really been there before. I was at a house, it was really beautiful and just great food. I'm a cigar man, I like a cigar from time to time. And hanging out by the pool, took a bike ride to the beach. It was really relaxing. I think it's important to really sit back and enjoy, and also have a bit of summer in the midst of a summer tour.

Your brother Joe’s also seeing great success on the charts with DNCE. Are you feeling any sibling rivalry to compete? 

We just bought a house together recently. and we both have to succeed to pay for the house. So I think as we buy more and more furniture that he seems to be approving, I'm like "alright you better keep killing it, cause somebody's gotta pay for this.”

Joe also got a lot of attention this week for posting an impressive shirtless photo on Snapchat. Feeling any pressure to counter with one of your own?

I saw that, I got tagged in it way more times than I wanted to. I'm in the gym a decent amount and I'm not body obsessed in any way. I think it's important to keep a general awareness of living life and being happy, but also being healthy, and when you become too obsessed, it becomes hard to enjoy your life. But I'm proud of him, he's doing a great job.