Many a millennial and Gen Zer can recall their early inspirations for taking action for a cause — and it may surprise others to learn that some of us would credit the superstar sibling trio Jonas Brothers.
From their early activism with the Disney Channel, Joe, Nick, and Kevin Jonas have been inspiring their fans to care for the environment, health causes, and equality — and have kept that ball rolling through their tenure as mainstays of pop-rock stardom.
Jonas Brothers have always used their influence for good, and on Sept. 24 they’ll be taking the stage with Metallica, Charlie Puth, MÅNESKIN, Mariah Carey, Mickey Guyton, and Rosalía for Global Citizen Festival: NYC in Central Park, further inspiring the world to take action to end extreme poverty NOW.
But before we get to that, let’s take a look back on the history of Jonas Brothers’ advocacy and how they have inspired a generation of young people to fight for change.
Raised in New Jersey, the trio found early success in the music industry and joined a cast of Disney Channel stars, including fellow Global Citizens Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato, that would also make a name for themselves through music and television. Their self-titled second album earned them a spot on the Billboard charts and was followed by their acting debut.
The group would go on to star in movies, shows, and headline tours across the world, performing hits such as “Year 3000,” “Burnin’ Up,” and “Hold On.” The group earned a Grammy nomination, among other accolades, and snagged an American Music Awards win in 2008 for the T-Mobile Breakthrough Artist award.
Though the brothers disbanded the group in 2013 and pursued their own ventures, finding success in other projects — such as Joe’s band DNCE, Nick’s solo career, and Kevin’s reality TV show Married to Jonas — they reunited in 2019 and have continued their train of success ever since.
With their goodwill track record and track list of hits, Global Citizen couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome the “Cool” stars to the stage this year. This year’s festival in Central Park, hosted by actor, producer, author, and Global Citizen Ambassador Priyanka Chopra Jonas (who also just happens to be married to Nick Jonas), is in support of our mission End Extreme Poverty NOW.
Want to get in on the action, advocate for change, and enter for a chance to see the band live? Sign those petitions, send those emails, and rack up points with Global Citizen! Learn more about the festival and how you can get involved here.
And now, without further ado, here are six times Jonas Brothers have used their starpower to inspire change.
1. Teamed up with Disney stars to advocate for the climate.
Remember when Jonas Brothers first got our attention with their 2007 guest appearance on Disney Channel’s Hannah Montana? Following their debut and rise to fame with Camp Rock and their show Jonas, the stars would team up with Miley Cyrus again along with Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato for the campaign Disney Friends for Change: Project Green. The environmental initiative brought the stars together to sing in the anthem “Send It On” and advocate for the climate in a push that aimed to teach children how to care for the planet.
2. Advocated for diabetes research and awareness.
Fans across the world became experts in type 1 diabetes back in 2007. Ever since the public announcement of his diabetes diagnosis, Nick has been a leading spokesperson and advocate for diabetes treatment and awareness. From testifying in front of the US Senate hearing for government funding for diabetes research to candid interviews and commercials that helped to normalize the chronic health condition, Nick has shown the effect celebrity advocacy can have on public awareness.
Over the years the band has donated portions of their incomes to various children’s hospitals and the American Diabetes Foundation and to this day Nick continues to speak out and promote better resources for people with diabetes.
3. Raised money for Feeding America to help families in need.
The COVID-19 pandemic worsened unemployment, poverty, and hunger around the world. Last year in the US 53 million people relied on food banks and community programs to feed themselves and their families.
In August 2021, the brothers teamed up with fundraising platform Omaze and NGO Feeding America to hold a competition to raise funds and awareness in the fight against hunger in the US. The prize? Dinner with the band and their wives at a restaurant in LA. The competition incentivized fans to get involved with the charity and ended up raising over $116,000 in donations.
4. Headlined a charity gala to lift NYC families out of poverty.
Jonas Brothers rocked out at the Robin Hood Foundation’s annual charity gala alongside big names in music such as Bruce Springsteen, Alicia Keys, and Paul McCartney in October 2021. By the end of the night, a whopping $77.5 million was raised toward the foundation.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly 20% of adults in NYC, about 1.2 million people, lived in poverty. This persisting issue drives homelessness, hunger, and educational disadvantages for children. The Robin Hood Foundation works with over 250 nonprofits to support food, housing, and more for New Yorkers living in poverty.
5. Used TikTok to promote COVID-19 vaccines with President Biden himself.
@jonasbrothers EYYYY YOOOO
♬ original sound - Jonas Brothers
“Are you vaccinated?”
“Yes, sir!”
In December 2021, amid a storm of COVID-19 infections and American vaccine hesitation, Nick, Joe, and Kevin made a special visit to the White House as a part of a celebrity-endorsed White House COVID-19 vaccination campaign which also saw Olivia Rodrigo take the podium to spread vaccination awareness. The viral video which amassed over 2 million views on TikTok in less than an hour (and 16.9 million views to date) stars the band in a skit following a TikTok trend which has them affirming their vaccination status. If the brothers getting cozy in the White House wasn’t enough, Biden makes an appearance at the end of the comedic video to top the whole thing off.
6. Lent their voices to the Stand Up for Ukraine campaign.
Refugees in Ukraine & around the world need urgent humanitarian aid. When crisis strikes those impacted struggle to find shelter, food & basic necessities. We are calling on world leaders to mobilize funds to help those fleeing conflict. #StandUpForUkrainehttps://t.co/U9OZsEeCzLpic.twitter.com/uiHJfnkUZz
— Jonas Brothers (@jonasbrothers) April 8, 2022
In April 2022, the band joined musicians, artists, and actors from across the globe in an online rallying cry to #StandUpForUkraine. The social media campaign, created by Global Citizen, culminated in a pledging event that raised $10.1 in humanitarian aid for refugees from Ukraine and around the world. The event urged world leaders to take action in providing aid to the millions of people forced to flee Ukraine as well as the 82 million people affected by a global displacement crisis. Celebrities and activists flooded Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok with their messages on April 8, with the brothers sharing a video to their social media pages.
“World leaders, we're standing up for Ukraine, we need you to answer the call…” Kevin said in a joint video statement.
“...from the activists and advocates working to support refugees and take immediate action to help displaced people from Ukraine and around the world,” continued Joe.
“So, when you meet to decide how much funding you will give to support humanitarian aid will you stand up for refugees everywhere and contribute the billions they need?” Nick added while the band urged fans to amplify the message.
Global Citizen Festival is calling on world leaders, corporations, and philanthropists to do more than they’ve ever done before to End Extreme Poverty NOW. Through our global campaign and with stages in two iconic locations — NYC’s Central Park and Accra’s Black Star Square — we will unite leaders, artists, activists, and Global Citizens around the world on Sept. 24 to achieve an ambitious policy agenda focused on empowering girls and women, taking climate action, breaking systemic barriers, and lifting up activists and advocates. Wherever you are in the world, you can join the campaign and take action right now bydownloading the Global Citizen app.
