BREAKING

InterviewsLifestyle

Crystal Bowersox Recalls the Low Blood Sugar Emergency on ‘American Idol’ That Changed Her Life Forever

No matter how old you are, living with diabetes is never easy. Even though battling the highs and lows of blood sugar is apart of everyday life for a diabetic, a low blood sugar scare doesn’t wait for anything and could happen unexpectedly.

Back in 2010, Ohio native Crystal Bowersox was contestant on Season 9 of American Idol where she had to suddenly be hospitalized due to Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) from Type 1 diabetes. It forced a last minute switch in scheduling to give her extra time to recuperate and she came out of the situation stronger than ever — she was the first runner-up on her season which launched her music career, giving her a platform to raise awareness to people living with diabetes.

“I didn’t tell the producers of the show that I was a Type 1 diabetic because I didn’t want it to give me any sort of advantage or have them see it as a disadvantage. I stubbornly tried to go at it alone and that was not the right choice,” Bowersox, now 34, tells Celeb Secrets over the phone. “So the fire that was lit was really in the realization I had after they let me come back to the competition, and that this really was a platform I could use for good and share my story, help raise awareness and possibly inspire others living with Type 1 diabetes.”

Teaming up with Lilly for their Know Before the Low campaign, Bowersox is raising awareness about being prepared for low blood sugar and very low blood sugar emergencies, having a rescue plan, and ensuring that people with diabetes have a preparedness plan in place with their support network, which can include family, friends, co-workers – or even fans – to help in the event of low blood sugar or an emergency.

She’s also sitting down with Celeb Secrets about her journey with diabetes, how to get involved with the initiative, her new music and how she incorporates diabetes and its message in her lyrics.

Read the full Q&A below and learn more about Know Before the Low by visiting their website here. You can also follow Crystal on Instagram at @crystalbowersox.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCRUD-eDAFp/

Celeb Secrets: Everything you’re doing with “Know Before The Low” is amazing. It’s very inspiring to see you using your platform to talk about things you’re passionate about. We’re excited to talk to you a bit about your journey since ‘Idol’ and how over the past ten years it helped shape your artistic endeavors.

Crystal Bowersox: “Sure, and it’s such a big question because let me catch you up on ten years (laughs). It’s been a journey that’s for sure. It’s all going to be in a musical show I’ve written called ‘Trauma Queen’ which is in development. But as far as shaping artists, American Idol was really a bootcamp for artists. Tying in with diabetes, it was a bootcamp for me to be prepared for low blood sugar emergencies and really put me on my toes with my diabetes management. It was a big wake up call.”

CS: During your season, you were hospitalized due to your diabetes. Did that ignite a fire in you to start talking publicly about your diabetes or was that always there?

CB: “Honestly at that point in my life, I really didn’t have the confidence to speak publicly about my diabetes. I didn’t tell the producers of the show that I was a Type 1 diabetic because I didn’t want it to give me any sort of advantage or have them see it as a disadvantage. I stubbornly tried to go at it alone and that was not the right choice. So the fire that was lit was really in the realization I had after they let me come back to the competition, and that this really was a platform I could use for good and share my story, help raise awareness and possibly inspire others living with type one diabetes. Which is also why I’ve bene partners with Lilly Diabetes for a few years now, I really enjoy the work I do with them, and also this Know Before The Low campaign. I think it’s very important that people living with type one diabetes create their support network, the people around them, their friends, their families, their teachers, the fellow students. It’s really important that the people around you know what to do when there is a low blood sugar emergency.”

CS: Yeah definitely, and that actually leads into to our next question for you in asking if you could speak a bit more about Know Before the Low campaign, how you initially got involved and how readers who might have diabetes themselves or know of someone who does get involved?

CB: “‘Know Before the Low’ campaign is really an initiative developed to help people with diabetes and their support network to be prepared and recognize these low blood sugar symptoms. Partially a really low blood sugar emergency, and symptoms of that would be inability to speak clearly, dizziness, sweating, possibly unconscious. In an instant like that, people aren’t able to treat themselves, they need help. The ‘Know Before the Low’ campaign is really just that. It’s a resource tool for individuals with type one diabetes and their families to spark conversations with their healthcare providers and with the people in their lives. I know having a child with type one can be difficult, even bringing it up to their child’s teacher, educators and people that your child is spending time with away from home. I mean, right now thats not really a thing but when it is a thing, it’s really important. So knowbeforethelow.com is where I want people to go. There are a lot of resources there and talking points and things that can be helpful in bringing up these conversations. It also encourages people to be as prepared as they possibly can be by talking with their diabetes healthcare providers and their teams, and figuring out a plan that is right for them.”

CS: So I’m curious, on your toughest day, what is it that kept you going? Because we know any type of health issue is difficult to handle especially when you’re young. And you were diagnosed at a very young age.

CB: “I’ve always had a good bit of fight in me. I don’t know, some of the hardest parts for me were in middle school and high school. Especially high school when you just really want to fit in but you’re eating a snack in class because you have a low blood sugar and everyone else is looking at you maybe saying, ‘well I want one too.’ You just feel singled out and different so that was always tough. But at the same time I think that any sort of struggle helps us become what we’re made of and helps us be stronger. Just like on ‘Idol’ I had my issues with my health and I came back swinging and ultimately got second place and here I am ten years later still trying to advocate and raise awareness for type one. You just don’t give up, it’s not an option.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CB9R1vFjv7q/

CS: Right for sure, and that’s really interesting how perspective changes on being different and unique from when you’re a kid to when you’re an adult and partially an artist. Everyone wants to fit in and the second you become an adult and an artist in particular you’re like, ‘it’s the things that make me different that make my life worth while.’ It gives you a platform to speak about things other people just can’t because they aren’t that way. It’s very inspiring thank you for sharing about all of this.

In relation to your music, what’s on the horizon? Any upcoming tours, songs, or anything fans can look forward too?

CB: “Absolutely, I’m a very very busy lady right now. I just released a single called ‘Courage To Be Kind.‘ It’s a song encouraging people to reach across party lines. It’s really about unity, coming together and choosing to do the kind and compassionate thing even when faced with negativity or adversity. So that’s the message I’m putting out and it’s the first single I’m putting out from my album, Hitchhiker. I don’t have a release date yet, but I’m going to put out a few singles over the next few months while I’m not on the road and hopefully I’ll be able to tour with the album ones we are all in the clear.”

CS: Oh that’s so fun! We love the concept of unity especially now with everything going on. We know 2020 is a weird year, but what is something positive you think that’s coming from all of this? Personally we’re seeing a lot of unity. Can you speak to that a bit regarding your experience these past few months and what you think we’re going to be able to take away from all this?

CB: “Without being too political in this sort of thing, I think that people being at home with their devices in hand has brought an awarenesses that didn’t really exist in the way that it does now. People are bored and are paying attention to social media. And of course with BLM and our upcoming election, because people are more aware, they are becoming more engaged. And I think that is always a good thing. Also spotlighting some of the negative behaviors from both people and bring that to the light. Because you can’t get rid of something unless you see that it’s there.”

CS: 100%!

CB: “It’s also going to be positive for the ‘Know Before the Low’ campaign as well. With more people on social media and paying attention, this is a great thing to talk about. It’s a conversation people with Type 1 can bring up to their families when they’re all in a quarantine bubble together.”

CS: And for you, who is that support system? Obviously when you were on ‘Idol’ you probably had your safe people then all of a sudden not just the team on idol knew but the entire audience did. What was it like to expand your circle to honestly the entire nation in such a short span of time?

CB: “You know, the frame of mind I was in then, for me it was terribly embarrassing at the time, because prior to ‘American Idol,’ I had been homeless for a little and trying to manage having diabetes in those circumstances was a really journey. I really developed a pride in being self sufficient, and fierce-fully so, being fierce-fully independent. I didn’t really want people doting on me or waiting on me and I’m still that way. And so it’s still so important for me to make sure I have that support network. And my son is now eleven years old and he knows what to do. He knows before the low. And also, I don’t like to say boyfriend — my ‘man-panion’ — knows what to do. And he’s been my support many times, he’s known what to do in a very low blood sugar emergency. He knows exactly what to do to treat that and what to do to help me get better.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/B964lkelUgj/

CS: Music is such a tool to reach so many people. Can we expect to see a cross over with the messaging of your music and the lyricism being targeted towards diabetes?

CB: “Sure. I’ve been asked the question before, ‘how has your diabetes played a role in your song-writing?’ And I’ve never consciously thought that it did. But then I listened to some of my earlier songs and when I think about diabetes and try to apply it to the topic it’s like, ‘oh ya that totally works.’ You have to have the courage to press on and have the courage to tell your support network and speak up about what you need. ‘Courage to Be Kind’ isn’t really about that but in this upcoming album Hitchhiker. There are more uplifting positive messages that are coming and a lot of truth bombs. I’m at a point in my life — I’m 34 now — and I’m not as afraid to speak my truth as I might have been coming off a show in front of 30 million people you know? There are uplifting messages and a whole lot of messages. The songs aren’t just about heartbreak and unrequited love. I’m tackling big topics, but I think they need to be picked apart and spoken about.”

CS: That’s amazing. Very inspiring. We’re excited to listen and see what the album does and what role it plays in the lives of so many people. You know our outlet is called Celeb Secrets. I’m supposed to ask you secret about yourself, but with your album being called Hitchhiker, do you have any specific hitchhiking stories?

CB: “Yes so the album is titled Hitchhiker because there is a song about a hitchhiker I picked up against my father’s advice. But it was a beautiful experience and I learned a lot from it. And also because we are all hitchhikers in life. None of us get there on our own. Which does sort of tie into Know Before the Low. Having a plan and being prepared for a low blood sugar emergency is important. And if you can’t treat your own low blood sugar emergency, you have to rely on the help of your support network, so in that way we are all the hitchhikers.”

CS: That makes total sense! We love that. Is there anything else you would like to speak on whether it be ‘Know Before the Low, your music or really anything you want readers to know?

CB: “Obviously to go to knowbeforethelow.com if people need more information on the initiative. And to follow me on social media. I’m pretty active on Instagram and I’m picking up on Twitter again.”

CS: You got it! 

Author

  • Caroline Renezeder

    Caroline is a west coast correspondent for Celeb Secrets and founder of LA based production company Illuminate Creative Group. When not reporting for Celeb Secrets, Caroline is working on her music and touring around the nation opening for some of the industry’s most iconic artists. Caroline graduated from The University of Southern California in 2018 with a degree in Narrative Studies.

Caroline is a west coast correspondent for Celeb Secrets and founder of LA based production company Illuminate Creative Group. When not reporting for Celeb Secrets, Caroline is working on her music and touring around the nation opening for some of the…

Related Posts