Rylee Arnold, a professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars, has opened up about her experience managing Type 1 diabetes while performing. After a TikTok user questioned why her Dexcom, the device that tracks glucose levels, was often hidden during her routines, Arnold took to the platform to clarify her situation.
In her TikTok response, Arnold, 20, stated, “I actually have no intention of covering it ever when it comes to my costumes. It just so happens that it is always covered because I tend to put my Dexcoms in my lower abdomen.” She further explained that placing the device on her arm isn’t practical due to the physical nature of dancing, as she worries the device could be accidentally dislodged.
Arnold specified that she typically wears her Dexcom on her stomach, either on the left or right side, which she feels is more secure given her costume choices. “Most of my costumes are just pretty covered in the midsection area and are usually high-waisted,” she added, expressing relief over the design choices that accommodate her needs.
In a follow-up TikTok video, Arnold shared more details about how she navigates her diabetes during rehearsals and performances. She mentioned using the Dexcom G7 as her primary device, in addition to carrying insulin pens for necessary injections throughout the day.
Rehearsals tend to be less challenging for her blood sugar management because of the availability of time to check her insulin levels more frequently. She explained, “I often schedule my meals way before rehearsal, so I don’t have to worry about my levels going too high while I am practicing.”
However, show days present a different set of challenges. Arnold describes her pre-performance eating habits: “Usually on show day, I try to eat just high protein meals and the most minimal carbs I can. Because just with stress and not really having the time to worry about my blood sugar, I try to eat so that it doesn’t spike my blood sugar throughout the day.”
To assist dancers like Arnold, the show provides coordinators who help manage their specific needs. Arnold’s coordinator, Chuck, has a personal understanding of Type 1 diabetes, as a family member also has the condition. She remarked, “He knows that I need my phone often. He carries my insulin wherever I go and just always stays in close proximity to me so that my phone can stay connected to my Dexcom to get all of my blood sugar readings.”
Addressing concerns over whether her fluctuating blood sugar levels have ever impacted her performances, Arnold replied to a commenter asking if the show had adjusted the dance order. “They have not done that and probably won’t. It is a live show and the show just keeps going. There is no pausing, there is no adjusting. So for me, I have gone out while being low before, and it was not the best time ever, but I’ve learned how to manage it and figure that out.”
Reflecting on a past performance, she recalled a moment last season where her blood sugar soared, causing her to experience cramps during a dance with partner Stephen Nedoroscik. Fortunately, she feels more in control this season. “Luckily, this season, I’ve had it down to a T. I really make sure what I’m eating throughout the day doesn’t spike my blood sugar, and I also am just super aware.”
Previously, Arnold has candidly shared her struggles with managing her diabetes, including a story about forgetting her insulin when boarding a flight. However, she reassured her followers in a follow-up video shortly after with a positive update, declaring, “I was alive and well” and relieved that she was able to secure insulin right as she landed. Arnold’s openness about her health journey continues to resonate with fans as she balances her career and diabetes management on a national stage.
