If you still think of Nick Jonas as just the curly-haired kid from Disney Channel or the "Jealous" singer with the tight suits, you haven't been paying attention. Honestly. The last five years for Nick Jonas have been a masterclass in how to pivot without losing your soul. Since 2021, he’s gone from "pop star" to "Broadway heavyweight," "Venture Capitalist," and "NICU dad."
It’s been a lot.
Most people see the Instagram posts—the glitzy shots with Priyanka Chopra or the stadium stage lights—and assume it's just more of the same. But the reality is way more interesting. He’s managed to navigate a solo career, a massive band reunion tour, and a high-stakes Broadway return, all while managing a chronic illness and a very private family struggle.
The Last Five Years of Nick Jonas: Music and the Solo Shift
Let's talk about the music first because that’s where the shift started. Back in early 2021, Nick dropped Spaceman. It was an album born out of pandemic isolation. You can hear it in the lyrics—it feels smaller, more intimate, and a bit weirder than his previous solo stuff. It didn't have a "Jealous" or a "Levels" style mega-hit, but it signaled that he was done chasing the Top 40 dragon for a while.
But then, the Jonas Brothers machine cranked back up.
By 2023, the brothers released The Album, which was basically a 70s-inspired love letter to their wives and kids. They didn't just tour it; they went on the "Five Albums. One Night. The World Tour." Think about that. Playing five full albums every single night. It’s a grueling schedule for any singer, but for someone with Type 1 diabetes, it's an Olympic-level feat of blood sugar management.
And now? He’s literally about to release Sunday Best on February 6, 2026. The lead single, "Gut Punch," just dropped on New Year's Day. It’s got this raw, New York energy that feels a world away from his Los Angeles pop days. He’s 33 now. He’s writing about "quiet walks home in the city" instead of "burning up."
Why the Broadway Return Actually Matters
If you're a theater nerd, you know Nick isn't a "stunt cast." He was Gavroche in Les Mis when he was ten. But his return to the stage in 2025 for The Last Five Years on Broadway was a massive risk.
Playing Jamie Wellerstein is no joke.
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The show is a two-person musical where the timelines move in opposite directions. He starred opposite Tony winner Adrienne Warren. Most pop stars would get eaten alive by a performer of that caliber, but the reviews were actually... great? The Guardian called it "magnetic." He proved he could handle Jason Robert Brown's notoriously difficult score while showing a vulnerability that usually gets polished away in pop music.
The Life Stuff: Fatherhood and Resilience
The most defining moment of the last five years for Nick Jonas happened away from the cameras. In January 2022, he and Priyanka welcomed their daughter, Malti Marie, via surrogacy.
It wasn't a "perfect" celebrity birth story.
Malti was born extremely premature and spent over 100 days in the NICU. Nick has talked about this in bits and pieces—the feeling of helplessness, the shift in priorities. You can see the change in how he carries himself now. He’s more guarded, sure, but also more grounded. They just celebrated her 4th birthday with a Little Mermaid party yesterday (January 15, 2026). Seeing him post a photo of her with a cake emoji over her face tells you everything you need to know about his "privacy first" approach to parenting.
Business and Advocacy: More Than Just a Pretty Face
Nick has also quietly become a tech and health mogul. He’s not just "the guy from the Dexcom commercials." He’s a legitimate advocate who has spent the last five years pushing for CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor) access.
- Beyond Type 1: His non-profit has become a massive digital community.
- Investment Portfolio: He’s got skin in the game with brands like Olipop, Magic Spoon, and Ember.
- The Fossil Collab: In late 2025, he launched the "Machine Luxe" collection with Fossil. It wasn't just a "face of the brand" deal; he actually helped design the pieces based on his own watch collection.
What People Get Wrong About the "New" Nick
There’s this misconception that he’s "stepping back" from being a superstar. I don't think that's it. I think he’s just redefining what a "superstar" looks like in your 30s.
He’s doing the projects that scare him—like Broadway or indie films like The Good Half (2024)—rather than the ones that just pay well. He’s balancing the JoBros legacy with a solo identity that finally feels authentic.
Honestly, the "last five years" version of Nick Jonas is the most interesting one yet. He’s less polished, more tired (shoutout to all the toddler parents), and way more talented than his 2008 self could have dreamed.
What to Watch and Listen for Next:
If you want to keep up with where he's headed, keep these dates on your radar:
- February 6, 2026: Mark your calendar for the Sunday Best album release. It's supposed to be his most personal solo work to date.
- The Big Screen: Look out for Power Ballad and the rumored Jumanji 3, both slated for later this year.
- The Tour: Expect solo residency dates in NYC following the album drop—he’s been leaning heavily into the "New York" vibe lately.
The best way to see the "real" Nick is to listen to the lyrics on "Gut Punch." It’s a far cry from "Sucker," and that’s exactly why it works.