Joe Jonas reflects on ‘challenging season’ when he couldn’t escape public eye

Joe Jonas has reflected on a “challenging season” in his life when he couldn’t “escape” the public eye.

In a recent joint interview with Nick and Kevin Jonas for The School of Greatness podcast, host Lewis Howes asked the Jonas Brothers how they navigate their personal lives and careers.

“There was a season in my life where it was probably the most challenging season of my life. I couldn’t escape comments and negativity and headlines,” Joe replied. “That was the forefront of my day or getting a call like, ‘Hey, there’s this from a PR person.'”

The 36-year-old went on to recall the advice he received from his Devotion director J.D. Dillard.

“Above his monitor (J. D.) said, ‘What do you want them to feel?’ And I wrote that on my backstage mirror every night,” the singer-songwriter continued. “You realise that this is their show. The audience’s show and they deserve the best.”

Joe also emphasised that he began to understand that it was “OK to be vulnerable” with his fans.

“It’s totally OK to be like, ‘Yeah, this is tough, and this is a challenge, but I’m here.’ I think people respect it more. Authenticity wins like always. It’s not always easy,” he added. “There (were) times when I’d just break down to these guys and would have real conversations like, ‘Do you want to cancel tonight or do you want to not sing this song or that song?’ I’m like, ‘Nope, I’ll do it all because I feel like that’s what they deserve.’

“I know we’re not hyper-unique individuals going through certain situations in our lives. Everyone’s going through something.”

Joe didn’t specify the exact time he was referencing in the conversation. However, he was on the Five Albums. One Night. The World Tour in 2023 and 2024 while he was in the process of divorcing his ex-wife, Sophie Turner.

The former couple, who share two daughters, finalised the split in September 2024.