Randy Jackson shares his health and battle with diabetes
5 may 2026 в 17:37
Randy Jackson has been openly discussing his health for many years, including during his time as a judge on «American Idol». After his appearance as a guest mentor in May 2026, fans began to worry about his weight loss and his previously diagnosed type 2 diabetes.
Randy also aims to help others in their health struggles through his company, Unify Health Labs, which, according to its website, «helps people on their health journey by freeing them from the long and complicated searches he himself went through».
Randy was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2002, when «American Idol» was at the height of its popularity. He described this diagnosis as a «wake-up call» that prompted him to take charge of his health. «Diabetes crept up on me unnoticed. I didn’t know I had diabetes, and it was a huge signal to get my health in order», - he told ABC News in an interview. After receiving the diagnosis, he conducted extensive research on the best ways to manage it.
One of the ways Randy tried to cope with diabetes was through gastric bypass surgery. This procedure helped him lose 45 pounds, which he maintained through healthy eating and physical activity. In a 2008 interview with WebMD, he shared his habits: «I am very sensitive to when I’ve had enough. The signal to stop comes from your body, not from an empty plate».
Type 2 diabetes is a form of the disease in which the body has difficulty regulating blood sugar levels, according to the Mayo Clinic. The two main effects of type 2 diabetes are that the body does not produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar and does not respond well to insulin. While there is no cure for the disease, weight loss, diet, and exercise are effective ways to manage it.
Randy first learned of his diabetes diagnosis in 2002 and has since been open about his health issues. Some fans began to worry when they saw him using a cane in recent years (for example, when he joined former judges Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell to support Kelly Clarkson when she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame), but he reassured people that he was doing fine. Randy also underwent back surgery in 2019, as he shared in an interview with Entertainment Tonight. He continues to run Unify Health Labs, which he founded in 2019, and shares his story.
Randy seems to be managing his health well and keeping an eye on it. In addition to Unify Health Labs, he also wrote a health and diet book titled «Body with Soul» in 2008. In November 2022, during an episode of Tig Notaro’s podcast «Don't Ask Tig», - he mentioned that he enjoys being open with fans. He admitted that his walking has improved: «I'm glad I did it because it has given me a much better quality of life, even though I’ve gone through several back surgeries over the last couple of years. But I’m on the road to recovery, trying to get rid of the cane and walk better», - he said.
However, during his appearance as a guest mentor on «American Idol» in May 2026, viewers expressed their concerns online about his appearance
Randy also aims to help others in their health struggles through his company, Unify Health Labs, which, according to its website, «helps people on their health journey by freeing them from the long and complicated searches he himself went through».
Randy was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2002, when «American Idol» was at the height of its popularity. He described this diagnosis as a «wake-up call» that prompted him to take charge of his health. «Diabetes crept up on me unnoticed. I didn’t know I had diabetes, and it was a huge signal to get my health in order», - he told ABC News in an interview. After receiving the diagnosis, he conducted extensive research on the best ways to manage it.
One of the ways Randy tried to cope with diabetes was through gastric bypass surgery. This procedure helped him lose 45 pounds, which he maintained through healthy eating and physical activity. In a 2008 interview with WebMD, he shared his habits: «I am very sensitive to when I’ve had enough. The signal to stop comes from your body, not from an empty plate».
Type 2 diabetes is a form of the disease in which the body has difficulty regulating blood sugar levels, according to the Mayo Clinic. The two main effects of type 2 diabetes are that the body does not produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar and does not respond well to insulin. While there is no cure for the disease, weight loss, diet, and exercise are effective ways to manage it.
Randy first learned of his diabetes diagnosis in 2002 and has since been open about his health issues. Some fans began to worry when they saw him using a cane in recent years (for example, when he joined former judges Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell to support Kelly Clarkson when she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame), but he reassured people that he was doing fine. Randy also underwent back surgery in 2019, as he shared in an interview with Entertainment Tonight. He continues to run Unify Health Labs, which he founded in 2019, and shares his story.
Randy seems to be managing his health well and keeping an eye on it. In addition to Unify Health Labs, he also wrote a health and diet book titled «Body with Soul» in 2008. In November 2022, during an episode of Tig Notaro’s podcast «Don't Ask Tig», - he mentioned that he enjoys being open with fans. He admitted that his walking has improved: «I'm glad I did it because it has given me a much better quality of life, even though I’ve gone through several back surgeries over the last couple of years. But I’m on the road to recovery, trying to get rid of the cane and walk better», - he said.
However, during his appearance as a guest mentor on «American Idol» in May 2026, viewers expressed their concerns online about his appearance
© Kolganov Andrey
