Pop star Joe Jonas has issued an emphatic denial regarding drug use allegations that emerged after a viral video captured him wiping his nose during a Jonas Brothers concert. The 36-year-old singer told Esquire magazine in an interview published Monday, October 21, “I’ve never touched cocaine in my life.”
The controversy began when a TikTok clip from the Jonas Brothers’ JONAS20: Greetings From Your Hometown Tour in California garnered over 11 million views. The footage showed Jonas backstage during a performance, looking into a mirror and repeatedly touching his nose with both his finger and a towel. The video quickly sparked speculation among viewers, with some social media users jumping to conclusions about substance use.
However, Jonas addressed the rumors head-on, adding with characteristic humor, “But if I did, I think I’d be a little slicker about it than doing it onstage.” The singer’s straightforward denial comes as he continues touring with his brothers Nick and Kevin across North America.
Describing himself as “extremely online,” Jonas was quick to notice the viral video when it first circulated in September. At the time, he responded directly to the speculation with a lighthearted comment on the original post. “Lol you never had a booger?” the singer wrote in a since-deleted TikTok comment.
The viral video prompted divided reactions from fans online. While some viewers made jokes referring to the pop trio as the “snow brothers,” others rushed to Jonas’s defense. Supporters suggested the nose-wiping was likely due to allergies, with one user commenting, “god forbid a man have a snotty nose.”
@estilodf Joe Jonas preparándose para salir al escenario con los Jonas Brothers en California. CC: @genesisolivieri #joe #joejonas #jonasbrothers #jonasbrothersconcert #jonasbrotherstour ♬ sonido original – EstiloDF
The Jonas Brothers’ current tour celebrates the group’s 20th anniversary, featuring performances of iconic hits including “Sucker,” “Lovebug,” and “What a Man Gotta Do.” The tour, which began in August at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, continues through November.
Jonas shares two daughters, Willa and Delphine, with ex-wife Sophie Turner. The former couple, who were married from 2019 until 2024, have maintained an amicable co-parenting relationship.
This latest denial marks another instance where Jonas has been forced to address unfounded drug speculation throughout his career in the public eye.