Demi Lovato Facts Only The Most Devoted Fans Know
The following article contains references to addiction, alcoholism, eating disorders, mental health struggles, and self-harm/suicide.
Demi Lovato returned to music with her powerful pop-punk album, "HOLY FVCK," in 2022. During an interview with NPR, the musician revealed that this record tells the story of their journey to happiness after recovery. "I came out of treatment and began working on this album shortly after," she explained. "And I was very angry. I had some healing to do. But I got out a lot of that anger in my anger in the music [sic] — and there's an evolution in the project, you see me going from angry to ... owning my power and my sexuality and then to like, happier love songs." Lovato's vulnerability on "HOLY FVCK" is not new to fans who have been following the star's journey for years. The "Substance" singer has spoken out about child stardom, their rise to fame, their sexuality and gender identity, and so much more.
As most fans know, the musician began her career as a Disney star. They are now offering advice to youngsters looking to find fame the same way she did — and if anyone is qualified to warn others about the potential dangers of child stardom, it's Lovato. "It's more important to have a personal life than it is a career at that age," they told PopCrush. "I think that's what got lost in the era of Disney when I was in it."
From their strenuous Disney days to their awe-inspiring return to their pop-punk, there are always more facts to learn about Demi Lovato's impressive career.
Demi Lovato had a tumultuous family life
In addition to the stressors of child stardom, Demi Lovato was also dealing with a lot at home. During a 2018 "Good Morning America" appearance, Lovato's mom, Dianna De La Garza, revealed that their family struggled throughout Lovato's childhood. De La Garza explained that she struggled with an eating disorder, and in Lovato's "Simply Complicated" documentary, De La Garza said she believes she passed that on to Lovato.
Lovato has also been open about her abusive father, Patrick, who also struggled with addiction, and how his absence from their life affected them. In her documentary, Lovato explained that they "always searched for what he found in drugs and alcohol," since it apparently completed him. "Pat had a good heart. He really did. He loved his family; it's just that he had mental health issues that were never addressed," De La Garza told People. "And I think he covered up those issues with drugs and alcohol."
Lovato revealed on "Dr. Phil" that they stopped talking to their father as a teen and struggled to find closure after he passed away. She even wrote a song, called "Father" about the heartbreaking experience.
If you need help with an eating disorder, or know someone who is, help is available. Visit the National Eating Disorders Association website or contact NEDA's Live Helpline at 1-800-931-2237. You can also receive 24/7 Crisis Support via text (send NEDA to 741-741).
If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
If you or someone you know needs help with mental health, please contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741, call the National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), or visit the National Institute of Mental Health website.
They competed in beauty pageants as a child
Demi Lovato has shared that many of her struggles began during childhood, including their body image issues. During an interview with American Way, Lovato revealed that she began competing in beauty pageants at only 7 years old, and this only worsened their struggles. "My body-image awareness started way before that, but I do attribute a little of my insecurities to being onstage and judged for my beauty," she explained. They also shared that she was influenced by her mother's previously mentioned eating disorder at a very young age. "Even though I was 2 or 3 years old, being around somebody who was 80 lbs. and had an active eating disorder it's hard not to grow up like that," Lovato said.
This wasn't the only time Lovato spoke about how damaging beauty pageants were to her confidence. In their 2021 YouTube docuseries, "Dancing with the Devil," Lovato shared, "My self-esteem was just completely damaged from those beauty pageants. I remember actually making a pact with myself, saying 'If I don't win this pageant, I will never eat again.'" They went on to reveal that her years-long career in front of the camera only caused more body image issues.
If you need help with an eating disorder, or know someone who is, help is available. Visit the National Eating Disorders Association website or contact NEDA's Live Helpline at 1-800-931-2237. You can also receive 24/7 Crisis Support via text (send NEDA to 741-741).
She experienced relentless bullying as a child
Bullies also made Demi Lovato's already difficult childhood even more challenging. In their documentary, "Simply Complicated," the musician explained that she had a hard time in school due to the relentless teasing. "When I was 12, I was bullied," Lovato said. "I developed a social anxiety where I didn't trust other girls my age. Then one day, this girl who was popular started saying 'Demi should kill herself. She should slit her wrists.' And it resulted in a suicide petition that got passed around and she had other classmates sign it."
During a separate interview with Joe Rogan, the singer revealed that the bullying became so unbearable that she had to leave public school. Lovato went on to share their classmates' cruel comments even played a role in her developing an eating disorder. She decided to confront their bullies about why they were attacking her. "They were just like 'you're a whore' and 'you're fat,'" Lovato said, recalling her classmates' responses. "And so I internalized what they were saying and that's when my eating disorder developed."
If you need help with an eating disorder, or know someone who is, help is available. Visit the National Eating Disorders Association website or contact NEDA's Live Helpline at 1-800-931-2237. You can also receive 24/7 Crisis Support via text (send NEDA to 741-741).
If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988 or by calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Demi Lovato has struggled with addiction since a young age
Another revelation Demi Lovato and her previous team shared in "Simply Complicated" is that their drug use began around the age of 17, when she started experimenting with alcohol, Adderall, cocaine, and other pills. It escalated to the point where Lovato thought she "was going to die young," telling E! News, "I didn't think I would make it to 21." "I couldn't go without 30 minutes to an hour without cocaine," they also told Access Hollywood in 2013.
At age 18, Lovato finally entered a treatment center after getting into an altercation with a backup dancer on a plane. In her documentary, Lovato explained that, after a night of partying, the dancer tipped off the Jonas Brothers' father that Lovato was using Adderall, getting Lovato in trouble with her then-management. After learning who told on her, Lovato punched the dancer in the face. "That was when it dawned on me that this was probably a much bigger situation than just a kid who wanted to party," John Taylor, a member of Lovato's management company at the time, explained.
If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
She's been transparent about her mental health struggles
When Lovato entered treatment at 18, she was also diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which Lovato said in "Simply Complicated" "just made sense," though she now believes she was misdiagnosed. They recalled having "episodes of mania" when she was younger, though at the time they didn't know that's what it was. "In a way I knew that it wasn't my fault anymore," she said. "Something was actually off with me."
Lovato's mental health struggles led to periods of darkness throughout their childhood. In a March 2018 appearance on "Dr. Phil," Lovato revealed that she started thinking about suicide at the age of 7. In her memoir, "Falling with Wings: A Mother's Story," Lovato's mom wrote about finding her daughter in bed with a bloody rag after apparently cutting their wrists and fearing that Lovato would take her own life.
As Lovato told Dr. Phil, their longest lifelong illness has been her eating disorder. "My eating disorder started when I was very young," she said of her bulimia. "That's something that I still work on on a daily basis and it's kinda the last thing to go." Despite struggling with their body image issues daily, Lovato has spent much of her career trying to promote wellness and body confidence. "When I was younger, stick-figure thin was in and nobody was talking about eating disorders. I want girls to know that it's OK when they grow up and their body changes," they told SELF.
If you or someone you know needs help with mental health, please contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741, call the National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), or visit the National Institute of Mental Health website.
If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988 or by calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
If you need help with an eating disorder, or know someone who is, help is available. Visit the National Eating Disorders Association website or contact NEDA's Live Helpline at 1-800-931-2237. You can also receive 24/7 Crisis Support via text (send NEDA to 741-741).
Demi Lovato's journey to sobriety hasn't been easy
Demi Lovato's first stint in rehab was sadly not their last, and she would go on to relapse more than once before successfully recovering. In "Simply Complicated," Lovato's then-manager, Phil McIntyre, recalls thinking she was "full of it" as they continued using. "I remember we were in New York, and she clearly was on something, and she was on air promoting this new way of life," he said.
Lovato seemed to be doing well after a second stint in rehab and time spent living in a sober house. On March 15, 2018, Lovato tweeted, "Just officially turned 6 years sober. So grateful for another year of joy, health and happiness. It IS possible." However, rumors soon began circulating that the star was on the brink of a major relapse. In April 2018, Lovato appeared in a photo on Instagram that seemed to show her with a glass of beer in their hand. Though Lovato claimed (via Buzzfeed) it was Red Bull in her cup, in June 2018 they released "Sober," which seemed to be a confession that she had relapsed.
Although Lovato's journey to sobriety hasn't been easy, they seem to be thriving these days. "I'm in such acceptance of my life the way that it is that I really rarely think about substances, which is a beautiful thing and something that I never thought would happen to me," they said in an interview for Mix 104.1 in 2022.
If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Their song 29 is rumored to be about Wilmer Valderrama
Demi Lovato and former "That '70s Show" actor Wilmer Valderrama started dating in Lovato's teen years. The couple's 12-year age gap was likely concerning for many fans, but Lovato only had good things to say about Valderrama in the early days of their relationship. However, she seems to have changed their opinion about the controversial relationship in recent years. Her song "29" is believed to be about their relationship with Valderrama. "Finally 29, 17 would never cross my mind," the lyrics read in part. "Thought it was a teenage dream, a fantasy. But it was yours it wasn't mine."
The singer opened up about the meaning behind the tune during an interview for Apple Music. "When I turned 29, I remember I was on vacation and I just realized I'm 29 now, and it put things into perspective," they explained. "It put everything into perspective. And I'm very careful with the way that I answer these questions because I feel like the song says it all." Lovato went on to share that although she was nervous to release the song, they felt it was necessary to share her truth. It seems that "29" suggests that Lovato's relationship with Valderrama may have been just as worrisome as many fans suspected.
The former Sonny with a Chance star regrets her early fame
Though Demi Lovato's career really took off after being picked up by Disney, she got her start long before her "Camp Rock" days. At 8 years old, Lovato appeared on "Barney and Friends," a career move she has since looked back on in regret. "I wouldn't start that young if I could do it over again," they said at the Cannes Lions festival (via the New York Post) in 2017.
Former child stars like Justin Bieber, Corey Feldman, and Lindsay Lohan are all examples of young stardom gone awry, with drug abuse and psychological abuse unfortunate side effects of success at a young age. "Childhood is about finding out who you are and being able to relate to others, and those things are harder to learn when you're famous," clinical psychologist Eileen Kennedy-Moore told USA Today.
Demi Lovato is no different, and they're fully aware of the implications child stardom has had on them. "Everything happened so fast," she said in "Simply Complicated." "Looking back, I think that it was a lot for anyone, let alone a kid."
If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
If you or someone you know needs help with mental health, please contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741, call the National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), or visit the National Institute of Mental Health website.
She came out as pansexual in 2021
Demi Lovato has been open about her journey to discovering their sexuality over the years. In 2015, they revealed that her song, "Cool for the Summer," references hooking up with a woman. "All of my songs are based off of personal experiences," she said while speaking with Alan Carr. "I don't think there's anything wrong with experimentation at all." Lovato has also been linked to a number of famous women, including Bella Thorne after they flirted over social media, and more controversially to actor and DJ Ruby Rose, who seemed to have started a romantic back-and-forth as recently as the beginning of July 2018. Lovato's statements and these rumored flings led to speculation regarding their sexuality. The musician later came forward to address the topic during an appearance on "The Joe Rogan Experience" in 2021. When Rogan asked Lovato if she identifies as pansexual, she responded, "Yeah, I'm pansexual."
Sexuality aside, the "Confident" singer has also spoken about her gender identity. In May 2021, Lovato took to Twitter to share a video announcing that they identified as non-binary. "I want to take this moment to share something very personal with you," she said. "Over the past year and a half I've been doing some healing and self-reflective work, and through this work I've had the revelation that I identify as non-binary." Lovato initially changed her pronouns to they/them before adding she/her back to their preferred pronouns.
Demi Lovato is very private about her relationship with boyfriend Jutes
Demi Lovato's relationship with musician Jutes is much more private than some of her past flings. It seems that it may be difficult for this couple to keep their love for one another lowkey, because their lives are so intertwined. Jutes plays an important role in Lovato's career, as he has co-written many of her songs.
According to Entertainment Tonight, the musician helped write a number of songs on Lovato's "HOLY FVCK" album, including the pop-punk tune "Substance."Jutes opened up about working on the single in the caption of an Instagram post he shared in July 2022, writing, in part, "one of my fav songs i've ever worked on. when i got asked to pull up and write for this session i remember thinking wtf am i supposed to do in a demi lovato session? only to show up and realize she was making one of the hardest rock projects i've ever heard."
Fans got another sneak peek into Lovato's relationship with the songwriter when the pair became Instagram official on Lovato's 30th birthday. Jutes shared an adorable set of couple's photos accompanied by a lengthy caption in which he gushed about the songstress. The musician wrote, in part, "happy birthday baby. ur a 30 year old minx and i'm the luckiest schmuck in the world cuz i get to call u mine. making u laugh has become my new obsession cuz ur smile literally cures my depression."
Demi Lovato announced that they're retiring from touring
Demi Lovato announced her "HOLY FVCK" tour in 2022 ahead of her album of the same name. This tour took the musician across South America and the U.S. with a total of 32 dates. Lovato initially seemed thrilled to take the stage again after a long break from touring. "I'm so excited to get back on the road after four years without touring, and even longer since I've toured in South America," they said, per Live Nation Entertainment. "We're working so hard to deliver an incredible show for all my fans and I can't wait to see them in person to celebrate this new music." Unfortunately, it seems the lengthy tour and rehearsals proved to be much more demanding than Lovato had anticipated, because she later took to Instagram Stories to share an announcement that likely left many fans upset.
"I'm so f***ing sick I can't get out of bed," they penned in one post (via Entertainment Tonight). "I can't do this anymore," she continued. "This next tour will be my last. Thank you guys." In another series of posts shared before their show in Chile, Lovato wrote, "Gonna power thru it for you guys. I'll need help singing so sing loud for me bb's!!" The singer also revealed that they had strained their voice. Entertainment Tonight noted that Lovato deleted those posts soon after, so hopefully this means she isn't retiring from the road just yet.