Este Haim is detailing the daily reality of living with type 1 diabetes, calling it a “tough” and “really mentally taxing” part of an otherwise fulfilling life.
The singer recently discussed her condition with filmmaker and songwriter Will Gluck during the “Storytellers” series at the Tribeca Festival on June 13 in New York City (per People).
“I really struggle with this part of my life. Everything in my life is amazing. I have an amazing husband. I have an amazing career. I have an amazing family. This is the only thing in my life where I wish I didn’t have to deal with it,” she said of her battle with the autoimmune disease.
Haim detailed the burden of being forced to make “at least 200 microdecisions every single day” to manage the illness. Her concerns, she noted, include: “What am I eating? How many carbs is this? How much insulin am I taking? What if my blood sugar gets low? … What if I don’t have supplies? Oh, my CGM just popped out. Oh, I’m bleeding.”
For Haim, low blood sugar episodes have led to serious incidents, including moments when she has fainted on stage. The singer, who is part of the band Haim with sisters Alana and Danielle, recalled one such episode taking place during the trio’s 2013 debut at the Glastonbury Festival.
She recounted that her eyes began twitching mid-performance, a symptom that usually signals an impending seizure for her. “I leave the side of the stage because I feel like I’m going to pass out, and then I actually do pass out. And my sisters and my manager… start shaking me. They put fudge in my mouth, literally,” she stated.
According to Este, the incident happened because she skipped a simple but essential part of her routine — eating before going on stage, even though she had already taken insulin. Despite the scare, she returned to the stage to finish the performance while seated.
While Este was candid about the challenges, she also reflected on the unexpected ways diabetes has shaped her perspective. “It gave me empathy. Meeting other diabetics in the world has brought me community,” she explained, adding that she remains hopeful a cure for the disease will be found.
Este first suspected she had type 1 diabetes when she learned about its symptoms in school.
She sought medical help and had the diagnosis confirmed. “So I weirdly diagnosed myself beforehand. It was very crazy,” she said.
She has also faced stigma in her personal life. In a 2025 interview with GQ, Este revealed that a former partner once ended their relationship after learning there was a chance their future child could inherit the condition.