Demi Lovato has been an open book for many years. The singer has been living her life in the public eye ever since she became a worldwide sensation when she starred in Disney Channel's Camp Rock at just 15.
She began performing when she was just 5 years old, and since then, she's been winning people over with her talent, her openness, and her "tell it like it is" attitude. At such a young age, Demi has starred in movies and TV shows and has released multiple albums. She even earned a Grammy nomination for her Confident album.
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Demi has had her share of ups and downs, both in her personal life and in her career. She had a tumultuous relationship with her biological father, who also struggled with mental health issues, and that caused her a lot of pain. Demi has also been open about her own problems with her mental health and substance abuse, which started when she was just a teenager. She had to abruptly cancel a tour with the Jonas Brothers in 2010 to enter rehab. She went as far as celebrating six years sober, but in July 2018, she was forced to once again put her career on hold after she relapsed and was hospitalized because of an overdose.
The singer has accomplished so much in her 25 years, and the world and her fans have witnessed how Demi keeps rising from the ground, time and time again. Click through to see Demi's incredible transformation through the years.
She got her start on 'Barney & Friends.'
Demi started her TV career at age 10 with her role on Barney & Friends alongside best friend and future Disney star Selena Gomez.
She then starred in 'As the Bell Rings' in 2007.
She got her start on Disney Channel in the short-lived TV series As the Bell Rings in 2007.
She became a superstar after starring in 'Camp Rock.'
She starred in Camp Rock alongside the Jonas Brothers, and she became a worldwide sensation.
Demi dated Joe Jonas during their time as Disney Channel co-stars.
The pair dated for only a couple of months in 2010, according to Demi, but the end of their romance affected the Grammy-nominated singer.
She released her debut album.
Demi got to share her vocal talent with the world when she released her first album, Don't Forget, in September 2008.
Demi starred alongside Selena again.
She then starred in the TV movie Princess Protection Program 2009 alongside Selena again!
She got her first lead role in a series.
She got a lead role in the series Sonny With a Chance in 2010.
Demi went back to 'Camp.'
Demi returned to the Disney Channel to star in Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam in 2010*.* She headed out on a world tour for the movie alongside her co-stars.
Demi headed to rehab for the first time.
Demi dropped out of the Jonas Brothers tour in November 2010, after she punched a backup dancer while the tour was on the road. She then had to enter a rehab facility for treatment. She later revealed she was struggling with eating disorders, cutting, substance abuse, and bipolar disorder.
She released 'Unbroken' after her stint in rehab.
She released her second album, Unbroken, just months after leaving treatment. The project debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard charts, with the help of the highly successful lead single "Skyscraper."
She released a documentary about life after rehab.
The Demi Lovato: Stay Strong documentary aired in 2012 and followed the singer as she tried to return to music after getting treatment.
Demi had a stint as a judge on 'The X Factor.'
She became a judge and mentor on The X Factor in 2012 and 2013. She revealed on her documentary Simply Complicated that she was going through treatment for her drug addiction at the time.
Demi kept her struggles to herself.
She joined the panel of famous judges including Simon Cowell, LA Reid, and Britney Spears. No one knew at the time that she was living in a sober-living facility with roommates to avoid falling back into her addictions.
She released 'Demi' in 2013.
The singer released her fourth studio album in 2013, titled Demi.
Demi began dating Wilmer Valderrama.
Demi began dating Wilmer when she was 18. They dated from 2010 to 2016, and she was sober for the majority of their relationship. She revealed that their breakup deeply affected her.
The world got to see how she was constantly fighting her demons.
Prior to the release of her album Tell Me You Love Me in 2017, Demi released another documentary, Simply Complicated, in which she opened up about the previous year of her life dealing with her troubles.
Demi cemented herself as an artist with 'Confident.'
Demi released her fifth album, Confident, in October 2015, and it was received well by critics. The record included the hit singles "Confident" and "Cool for the Summer." The album was nominated for best pop vocal album at the 59th Grammy Awards, making it the first time a project by Hollywood Records was nominated for a Grammy.
Demi teamed up with Fabletics.
After sharing how important fitness has been to keep her balanced, Demi teamed up with sportswear company Fabletics in May 2017 and launched a limited collection with the brand. The company decided to stick by the singer after her overdose scare in 2018.
Demi celebrated six years sober.
In March 2018, Demi commemorated her sixth anniversary sober. "Just officially turned 6 years sober," she tweeted at the time. "So grateful for another year of joy, health and happiness. It IS possible."
Demi revealed that she wasn't sober anymore.
Demi released a song to reveal to her fans that she was no longer sober in June 2018. It was reported that she had a falling out with her longtime life coach and sober companion, Mike Bayer, in May 2018.
Demi relapsed and was rushed to the hospital.
Demi was transported to a hospital in Los Angeles on July 24, 2018, after an apparent overdose. Various outlets reported that it was caused by heroin, but her rep later shut down those claims. Her ex, Wilmer, was seen at the hospital the following day. Demi went straight to rehab after she left the medical center.
Fitness has played a huge part in her recovery and wellness journey.
Demi uses jiujitsu as a way to take care of both her mind and body. In December 2018, she posted this picture of herself post-workout and wrote, "Sweaty, messy jiu jitsu hair.. #BJJ #bluebelt #nevergiveup ."
She broke her silence two weeks after the overdose.
"I want to thank God for keeping me alive and well. I have always been transparent about my journey with addiction. What I’ve learned is that this illness is not something that disappears or fades with time. It is something I must continue to overcome and have not done yet," she wrote in a since deleted Instagram post after her 2018 overdose.
Demi has been spending quality time with her besties.
In May 2019, Demi took a trip with her two best friends—hip-hop artist Sirah and actor Matthew Scott Montgomery—to Bora Bora. She posted this picture on Instagram and wrote:
"… just me and my best friends living our best lives.. Thank you for never leaving me in my darkest moments, for always drying my tears.. even when they’re from watching Moana.. thank you for being loyal, honest and so grateful for every little thing.. like crying because we swam with fish/sharks/stingray and coral reef. I’m so lucky to be best friends with two incredible souls who are so talented and creative because it inspires me daily. And you’re so supportive of me and every little thing I do.. You’ve traveled across the country to visit me and stayed with me at my house for days on end when I’m struggling to make sure I’m okay but most importantly you never abandoned me like others did when I was going through [expletive].. you were there to listen, without judgement and only love and I can never fully express what that means to me. You’re the greatest friends I’ve EVER had and our future together is so bright. I love you both more than you can imagine!! Thank you for this past week @sirahsays@matthew_scott_montgomery ps. I’m both yalls biggest fans ."
She is putting herself and her well-being first
After all she's been through, especially since 2018, Demi knows that she has to put herself and her wellness above all else. On June 27, 2019, she posted this picture of her new "me" tattoo and wrote, "Me first thank you @winterstone for my new forever reminder.. #i me."
Demi made a rare public appearance for Christina Aguilera.
Although Demi has been keeping to herself and just hanging with close friends, she did show up for the opening night of Christina Aguilera's residency in Las Vegas in early June 2019. She was singing along and showing her support from the second row, looking happy and healthy and accompanied by her best friends.
Demi accomplished something major.
Demi accomplished something that only the best singers of each generation have been able to do. She was invited to sing the National Anthem at the Super Bowl in February 2020. That was such an important moment in her career and singer like Whitney Houston and Beyoncé are among the stars who have hit that stage previously.
The singer returned to the stage in January 2020.
Demi made her big comeback to the stage on music's biggest night in January 2020. The singer took the stage at the 2020 Grammys, where she debuted her heartbreaking song "Anyone." The performance was so captivating and super emotional, but it was great to see her do what she does best.
