Randy Jackson is a 20-year music industry veteran, GRAMMY^® Award-winning producer, author, and television personality.

Randy has worked on more than 1,000 gold and multi-platinum albums, and he has recorded, toured, performed, and produced records for stars such as Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, *NSYNC, Madonna, Elton John, Destiny's Child, Joss Stone, Travis Tritt, Van Hunt, and many more.

After spending years as a record producer and industry executive, Jackson became a judge on FOX's American Idol. The hit series is currently in its 11^th season.

Nine years ago, while at the top of his career, Randy was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Soon after his diagnosis, he discovered that adults with type 2 diabetes are more likely to die from heart disease and stroke than adults without type 2 diabetes.

Randy decided to take his diabetes to heart by committing to living a diabetes-friendly lifestyle. He has his type 2 diabetes under control thanks to the changes he made to his lifestyle and by having regular appointments with his doctors to keep tabs on his blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol.

Now, Randy is working with Merck on the Taking Diabetes to Heart program to help people living with type 2 diabetes "get in tune" with the disease and understand its serious complications, including heart disease.