It shouldn’t come as a surprise that some of your favorite celebrities are among the over 29 million people across the country living with diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic metabolic condition that occurs when your body loses the ability to control your blood glucose levels, or the amount of sugar in your blood. The most common types of the disease include prediabetes, gestational diabetes, type 1 diabetes, and type 2 diabetes, according to Mayo Clinic. Regardless of the type, however, each person’s experience with diabetes is unique.
Some celebrities have been open about their diabetes diagnoses and how the disease affects them personally. For many, the effects of diabetes are comprehensive, from extreme weight fluctuation and irregular bladder movements to feelings of weakness and irritability. As a result, people diagnosed with diabetes often make key adjustments to their daily routines, such as managing stress or eating a diet rich in whole foods, to maintain a health-conscious lifestyle.
Ahead, read what celebrities like Nick Jonas, Tom Hanks, and Halle Berry have said about their diabetes diagnoses and how they’ve learned to manage the disease alongside their high-profile careers.
Viola Davis
Viola Davis was first diagnosed with prediabetes in 2016. “I was frozen and in shock when I got the diagnosis,” she told MedlinePlus Magazine. “I considered myself to be a very healthy woman. I thought I watched what I ate. I exercised. I was not overweight. Looking back now, I see I probably had a lot of preconceived notions about diabetes. There is a history of diabetes in my family. My sisters, my great aunt, and other members of my family have type 2 diabetes.” Following her immediate response, Davis took steps to educate herself and alter her dietary habits to prevent her prediabetes from developing into full-blown type 2 diabetes. In 2019, the Academy Award-winning actor also narrated the diabetes-focused documentary A Touch of Sugar, and she continues to be a vocal advocate for people with prediabetes, encouraging open conversations about the condition and discussions about how to prevent it. “There is a stigma that it only afflicts those who bring it upon themselves,” she continued. “And there is a stigma that people with diabetes are just eating what they want, are out of control, and don’t care about their bodies. That is just not the case. Look at me. I worked out four, five, six times a week, watched what I ate, and I got it. It’s a chronic disease that should not be dismissed because of myths and stigma.”
Rylee Arnold
In May, Dancing With the Stars pro Rylee Arnold, 18, shared her type 1 diabetes diagnosis in a candid Instagram post. “It’s been three years since I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Although it was one of the hardest times in my life and one of the biggest learning curves for me, I’m incredibly grateful for the strength it has given me!” During a follow-up interview on Taylor Lautner and Taylor Lautner’s The Squeeze podcast, Arnold explained how her symptoms manifested leading up to her diagnosis. “I was at a convention and I went through like a whole case of water bottles in one day,” Arnold said. “I was peeing like every 30 minutes. I was eating so much but losing so much weight. I continued to live my life and I just kept getting sicker.” Eventually, Arnold asked her dad to take her to the hospital, where she was told her blood sugar levels were 1,023 milligrams, a far cry from the 70-100-milligram average. Since her initial diagnosis, Arnold has learned to manage her symptoms and prioritize her health as she continues to pursue her dance career. “All of the blood sugar scares, counting carbs, hauling supplies, and crazy management is so worth it!” she added in her Instagram post. “Type 1 has taught me so much about myself and how I can also be a huge advocate to so many with Type 1 as well.”
