WORLD OF MUSIC

More Demi More!

Demi Lovato talks about living through life’s challenges
Richard Aldhous is impressed with the singer’s victories

She celebrated her 29^th birthday in August; and yet, it feels like the Albuquerque-born singer has been part of the global musical landscape for so much longer as one of the true modern pop culture influencers.

In many ways, Demi Lovato is typical of the countless number who have rolled off the Disney production line; and the ‘Confident’ singer, model and actress is now well into her second decade in the limelight.

With seven albums, myriad tours and live performances, and thousands of publicity events, her reputation as one of the most self-aware personalities in the entertainment world is assured.

It’s also what has given her the most exposure and reaped unending admiration that not many others seek by hiding truths away from the eyes and ears of the public.

“Hide? I could and would never do that,” she says, and adds: “I think that when you commit to a life in this industry, you need to do exactly that – commit yourself fully.

She continues: “While things have appeared in the news about my past that I’m not proud of, I am content with the fact I’ve been able to live through those encounters publicly. I am certainly a better person for that experience.”

Indeed. As impressive as Demi’s dazzling music career has been, her ability to sway from one media storm to another – while all the time reflecting, learning and finding a clear path forward – where conclusions may be changed.

Those past transgressions range from time in rehab for drug addiction to coping not only with her hostile and demonstrative outbursts, but also making peace with a haunted childhood including bullying and sexual assault.

Demi is one of those standout celebrities whose ability to live through life’s challenges means offering hope to millions of others out there. She concurs: “That really is the point for me.”

Lovato adds: “If I didn’t feel others were able to take a crumb of comfort by understanding these realities, then I’m almost certain I wouldn’t be so forthcoming about calling myself out on my own shortcomings.”

“The way I see it is if I can concede that I have my flaws and can say ‘that’s all right, I’m doing my best…,’ then surely can’t we all? That is all I’m asking,” she assures.

Demi was first viewed on television screens at the age of 10 in the children’s series Barney & Friends. She followed that in Disney Channel’s Camp Rock and Sonny with a Chance.

She admits: “Despite so much early success, I was never truly happy. I had suicidal thoughts, which can probably be traced back to when I was about seven or eight years old. Thankfully for me, I was saved by developing an ability to escape those ideas in my head by slipping into this Disney world.”

“I know I’m not alone and so many other people have said similar things. Having a creative outlet  and using it effectively can really pull you away from the darkness,” she asserts.

To see and experience Lovato now is to view someone who is still totally aware of compulsion. It’s perhaps no accident that having said farewell to full-time addiction, Demi’s workload has increased and the quality of her productivity is now entirely reflective of the discernible talent she harnesses.

Lovato explains: “I want that positive attitude to come through in everything I do and obviously, the best path through which that can happen is my music.”

“As a performer, I have fallen in love with melody, tempo and percussion; but these are all secondary to what really comes from my heart, which are the lyrics. I want my music to inspire the stories that I put into my songs,” she elaborates.

Last spring, her ambitious new album – titled ‘Dancing with the Devil… the Art of Starting Over’ – was released to favourable reviews. And with the global pandemic calming down to some degree, being able to pump that music out to live listeners has proved to be a huge encouragement and motivation.

Demi continues: “I can’t wait to get back out there on stage, connect with people and for all of us to celebrate making it through this terrible ordeal. I have prayed so much over the past years that people will find a way through, both mentally and physically.”

Referencing a strong faith that has often been called upon, she declares: “I think the power of prayer and the positivity we can take from music is so important, and it defines us as human beings.”

And she sums up: “I believe that God gave me a voice and I don’t simply mean singing. That’s obviously a part of it… but also to help others. He gave me the power to make positive music and that’s such a privilege.”

– Compiled by hub.branded