Demi Lovato reveals heartbreaking reality of growing up as a child star
Warning: This article contains discussion of eating disorders which some readers may find distressing.
Demi Lovato has opened up about the heartbreaking reality of growing up as a child star.
The 33-year-old singer-actress, who goes by she/they pronouns, first entered the world of showbiz from 2002 to 2004, appearing on Barney alongside fellow child actress Selena Gomez.
Flash-forward a few years to 2007, and Lovato was welcomed to the Disney Channel family, starring in As the Bell Rings, around the same time Miley Cyrus skyrocketed to fame with Hannah Montana (2006-2011) and Gomez on Wizards of Waverly Place (2007–2012).
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The Sonny with a Chance alum recently sat down with fellow former child star Keke Palmer, who starred in the Nickelodeon series True Jackson, VP (2008-2011), on her podcast, Baby, This Is Keke Palmer, to open up a little more about what it was like being thrust into fame so young.
During yesterday's episode (3 March), Palmer, 32, asked Lovato her thoughts on navigating a network that was 'always pitting' its young stars against one another, keen to name 'the number one girl'.
Lovato explained that she and Gomez were close before their Disney years, telling Palmer: "We actually were on Barney together, and so I felt this safety when I came into the Disney Channel having a built-in friendship there already."
She said she felt 'grateful' then and 'will always be grateful for the friendship that I have and continue to have' with Gomez.
Lovato did admit, however, that the constant comparisons were tough to deal with, recalling it being 'challenging' to be measured against Cyrus and Gomez.
"You naturally have insecurities at a young age," she said. "So you start comparing yourself to other people."
Still, she held on to her mother’s advice whenever things got rocky.
"But one thing my mum instilled in me was, 'There’s room for everyone. It’s not a competition,'" she continued. "That’s what I really stuck by. That’s what kind of got me through that period. I was always rooting for everybody."
Reflecting on her Disney years, Lovato admitted that the memories she has are mixed.
"There's so many emotions that come to mind when I think about that period of time in my life," she said.
"Those were the years that started it all for me, and I have very fond memories," Lovato continued. "Some not-so-fond memories of the struggling that I had when filming those shows."
She then candidly shared: "You know, having struggled with an eating disorder while on camera was really challenging. I struggled with my mental health very much so, but ultimately, like, very fond memories.
"I made friends that I will have for the rest of my life."
If you've been affected by any of the issues in this article and would like to speak with someone in confidence, call the BEAT Eating Disorders helpline on 0808 801 0677. Helplines are open 3pm-8pm Monday to Friday. Alternatively, you can try the one-to-one webchat.
Topics: Celebrity, TV And Film, Disney
Rhiannon Ingle