These days, our knowledge of celebrities too often originates with paparazzi images and snarky quotes by anonymous "insiders." After a while, it's easy to forget that stars are real people. That's why HuffPost Celebrity decided to launch its all-new #nofilter quick-fire question-and-answer series. Because how well do you know someone until they've shared their guiltiest pleasures?
Nick Jonas may only be 20, but he's already taken the music world by storm. Although he started out as a solo artist, Nick catapulted into success when he joined forces with his siblings Kevin and Joe to form the boy band the Jonas Brothers. Nick experimented with his solo career again in 2010 before reuniting with his brothers in 2013 for a cross-country tour, which wraps tomorrow (Aug. 16) in Universal City, Calif.
But what makes Nick's story even more inspirational is that he lives with Type 1 diabetes. The singer, who turns 21 next month, recently received the ACUVUE® Inspire Award at the 2013 Teen Choice Awards on Aug. 11, being recognized for his tireless efforts to educate teens and young adults about the disease, which he was diagnosed with at age 13.
HuffPost Celebrity chatted with Nick about his struggle with diabetes, that now infamous shirtless selfie and how he feels about his ex-girlfriend Miley Cyrus' transformation.
How did it feel to win the ACUVUE® Inspire Award at the TCAs on Sunday?
I was really honored to win that award. You know, it’s bizarre for me to receive an award for something that I deal with every day that sort of complicates life, but I was so happy to be able to speak about my story and hopefully give some encouragement and inspiration to other people, and that’s my main focus. I am so blessed to receive that award.
What do you feel you bring to the table in terms of influencing teens and young adults?
The thing that I bring to the table is someone who is willing to just share openly. I’m still figuring it out, you know everyday is different and we all go through things that we have to adjust our lifestyle to and you know challenge ourselves. And diabetes is like that to and to be able to share my story and be as open as I have been, I guess, is an inspiration to people.
What has it been like to live with diabetes?
It’s a daily struggle. From the time I was diagnosed, almost eight years ago, until now, it’s just been about taking it day by day and really trying to find the small victories. You know, because it’s really unpredictable. One of the more recent things in the last couple of months that has really helped me is just taking fitness and healthy living seriously and trying to sort of adjust that part of my life so that it can affect my diabetes and every other part of my life.
Does diabetes affect your exercise routine, stamina, etc.?
I think that I have to be extra cautious when it comes to physical activity and just how it affects my blood sugar and all that. But I’ve been able to find a good balance and it’s actually helped me in a lot of ways and definitely made me feel better all around.
How do you stay in shape? (We saw that recent selfie of yours!)
I found a really good trainer out in LA who introduced me to circuit training, which is more of an athletic style workout combining stamina, weight lifting, also just an overall healthy living lifestyle, and it’s been really helpful and I’m really happy with the results.
Were you surprised by all that feedback you got from posting the shirtless selfie?
I can’t say I expected a reaction, but it was great to see some people respond the way they did. [laughs] But definitely funny to see how they reacted.
If you were on death row, what would your last meal be?
I love pizza, you can’t really go wrong with pizza.
And how did you get on death row?
I don’t know. That’s an interesting follow-up question because if I’m on death row, then how do I end up getting the meal that I want? [laughs]
Boxers or briefs?
Briefs.
What is your ideal woman like?
I think someone that is confident and kind of has their own thing going on. Someone who gets sort of the busy schedule and has the same values with their relationships that I’ve valued.
Do you have any reaction to all the press that your friend Miley Cyrus is getting? Do you like the new angle she’s taking with her music?
Yeah, I think she’s doing her thing. As artists, we have to go on our own journey and you know, explore. Explore and see what it feels like to write, and I think that’s what she’s doing right now.
What’s the last song you downloaded?
The new Break song actually. It is really good. [Called “Girl, Gone, Geta’way”].
What’s your guilty pleasure?
I’m trying to think … I don’t know if I have a guilty pleasure. I’m sort of pretty wide open when it comes to why I like certain things. I love the show “Nashville,” I mean that’s a show that’s pretty incredible. I don’t know if it’s a guilty pleasure, but I think it’s great.
Would you ever guest star on “Nashville”?
Yeah, I’d love that. If they would have me, I’d love to be a part of it.
Who or what have you been jealous of lately?
Max Martin, the songwriter. He’s written so many hits over the last 15 years and he just keeps doing it. He just wrote part of the new Katy Perry song [“Roar”] I think, which I think is amazing. So, I’m jealous of his continued success.
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