From young Disney starlet to pop star dominating the world, Demi Lovato has been on quite the journey. She’s opened up about addiction and sexuality, as well as garnering a few impressive nominations. Through all the ups and downs, here is the breathtaking transformation of Ms. Demi Lovato.
An early start in entertainment
When she was 8 years old in 1999, this young starlet from New Mexico showed up on Barney and Friends with her fellow soon-to-be celeb, Selena Gomez. According to Demi, kids at her public school made fun of her for being on Barney, but she soon realized that it was a jealous response from children who wished that they were singing and acting on-screen. For those who wonder if she missed out on education due to homeschooling, she told Rolling Stone that she learned so much in that time, that she was actually able to teach her math class things they didn’t know!
Her first Disney gig
In 2008, Demi Lovato earned her first gig on Camp Rock, a Disney Channel Original Movie. She famously co-starred with the Jonas Brothers… Then, in 2009, she starred in Princess Protection Program, another Disney flick with her bestie Selena.
Struggles with body Image
She’s been open about this for years, and since it’s a struggle that many little girls and teens all over the globe deal with, we’re so proud of her for using her voice as a platform to speak up. Lovato has talked about her body dysmorphia and eating disorders, which stopped her from returning to acting for years. She said that when acting, people in her close circle micromanaged her diet, which didn’t help. Still, she’s a body positive icon, posting IG stories of her stretch marks, cellulite, and lack of thigh gap to show a relatable celeb to the world, and embrace herself in an act of self-love.
Dealing with addiction
Demi’s father, Patrick Lovato was an addict and alcoholic, and it’s something that Demi has also been haunted by in her life. In 2010, Demi entered rehab for the first time, for cocaine usage, and as a result dealt with depression. In July 2018, Demi Lovato suffered a nearly fatal drug overdose. She followed it up with a stay in a rehabilitation facility, which allowed her to follow a journey of sobriety and hard work which pulled her out of the trenches
In an Instagram post from July 2020, she spoke with gratitude on how doctors saved her life from that horrible day, and how she feels “free of my demons”. Her journey with sobriety is an ongoing struggle, as it is for most addicts. As she put it in The Hollywood Reporter: “I am human, so be easy on me.”
Releasing iconic tracks
Now infamous Demi Lovato song “Skyscraper” was emotional for the songwriter and her fans. Released in July 2011, the song was a symbol of her issues, and rising above them to be her best self. She recorded the song before treatment, but it carried authentic meaning for her and her personal journey. Another song that represented a change in her life was “Anyone” which she performed at the 2020 Grammy Awards, the first performance after her overdose. Singing the song was emotional but cathartic, and got her a standing ovation. “Cool for the Summer” was another memorable hit that showed off a sassier, more confident transformation of Demi.
Joining “The X Factor”
A year after releasing “Skyscraper”, Lovato joined the high ranks of The X Factor judges with Simon Cowell and Britney Spears. She remained on this talent show for two seasons before leaving to focus on her career in music instead. In 2013, she returned for a second stint.
Getting real In a documentary
In a 2017 documentary titled Demi Lovato: Simply Complicated, the star opened up about just how serious her drug addiction was, and that she went through “about 20 different sober companions.” Because of her addiction, she claimed that she didn’t feel any guilt or shame over her actions, and now finds it “embarrassing” to look back at the person that she was. Still, in 2018, Demi revealed her relapsed and was soon hospitalized after, so it’s true that the journey of sobriety is sometimes a rollercoaster filled with ups and downs.
Fluid sexuality
In the video for “Cool for the Summer” back in 2015, we saw Demi kissing a girl, which shocked many fans. She went on to tell Instyle in 2018 that she was fluid, and “I think love is love. You can find it in any gender. I like the freedom of being able to flirt with whoever I want.” She also told Glamour she felt “too queer” to be with a cis man: ”I hooked up with a girl and was like, ‘I like this a lot more.’”
Journeying through love
During Camp Rock, Lovato dated Joe Jonas, who was her first major breakup.. Later we learned about her relationship with Wilmer Valderamma from That 70s Show years after they started dating, but it was intentional — the two decided to keep their relationship private for a while. Unfortunately, after spending six years together, the couple decided to call it quits after realizing they were “better as best friends”. In 2019, she was tied to model Austin Wilson, and by 2020, she started dating Max Ehrich, the soap star. They were so in love, the two got engaged in May 2020 and wanted to start trying for a family right away. Unfortunately, the two split months after the engagement.
