Former Disney star Demi Lovato opens up to reveal how she felt desperate and hopeless and explain why she thought her promising career was over just a year ago in an intimate interview featured on the cover of the latest issue of Latina Magazine (December 2011).
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Demi said, “I thought I was going to lose everything when I checked myself into treatment. I didn’t know if I would have a career at all when I came home. So it really hit me — I hadn’t been grateful. In that sense, I can honestly say I’m glad I hit rock bottom when I did. Most people don’t have those moments. I see a lot of young people in this industry who feel entitled because they haven’t hit rock bottom yet. I feel blessed when I get an opportunity now.”
Demi managed to make a fantastic comeback after a stint in rehab to seek treatment for self-mutilation, bulimia and depression. The 19 year-old singer released her most successful album yet (“Unbroken”), and the first single “Skyscraper” earned her first Billboard Top 10 in July.
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Despite having won several inner battles, Demi confessed she still struggles to stay healthy and to continue living her life happily. It truly is a daily battle, but the singer is getting the precious help and support of friends and family.
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“I continue to have moments. I still think sometimes that I’m not strong enough and I need extra help. I can’t tell you how many people I have working with me in recovery. It’s good. It’s positive. [But] it’s a daily battle. Things can still get me down sometimes. But nothing keeps me down.”
The 19 year-old actress/singer has become a role model for several teens and young woman battling similar issues when she decided to go public and openly talk about her own problems. Demi credits her team for convincing her to do so.
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“It wasn’t my idea, to be 100 percent honest. It was influenced by management, publicists and family. But they were all bringing up a good point: What teens need most is someone that they can relate to – someone they connect with on serious subjects like eating disorders, cutting, bipolar disorder, depression and bullying. I’ve been there. I get it. Why wouldn’t I be honest about it so I could help someone else?,” she said.
Demi is such a wonderful young lady. When Demi speaks about her issues, I do feel like she is being completely honest. It’s not an empty speech she was told to recite and it has the power to change someone’s life. Go Demi! We are all so proud of her.
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Here are a few more highlights from Demi Lovato’s Latina interview:
On being estranged from her father: “Sometimes there are people in your life that you have to cut out. It sucks when it’s your own father. But I know what’s best for me. At a young age, I had to learn that. I have an old soul, because I had to grow up fast – because of the public eye and because of my life experiences.”
On being Latina: “Latina culture means warm family gatherings, special stories and a bond that I love to experience. I feel so much love and comfort when I’m with [the Latino] side of my family. It makes me proud of my culture and my ethnicity.”
On her big career dreams: “In 2012, I really want to be at the Grammys. And I don’t want to go unless I’m nominated, presenting or performing. It’s my lifetime goal to be able to say I’m nominated. So I really want to make that happen.”
[image: Latina]
