Demetria Devonne Lovato, popularly known as Demi Lovato, was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico on 20 August 1992, to parents Dianna De La Garza and Patrick Martin Lovato. Her parents however divorced shortly after her second birthday, and her mother’s second marriage resulted in a younger half maternal sister, Maddison De La Garza. She also only spoke to her older half paternal sister, Amber, when Demi was 20 years old.
A young talent, at age of just seven Demi began playing the piano, and at age ten, the guitar. She also began taking acting and dancing lessons quite early, and began her career with the role of ‘Angela’ in 2002 on the popular television show Barney and Friends. As a young actress, Demi was often subjected to bullying as a result of which she was home-schooled and even received her high school diploma the same way.
Being in the limelight was not new to Demi, however, stardom was. Auditioning for roles in Camp Rock and Sonny with a Chance, she secured the lead in both shows and began her reign over Disney Channel. Demi portrayed Mitchie Torres in Camp Rock and sang four songs for the movie, out of which ‘This is Me’ marked her entry on the US Billboard Hot 100, with the song peaking at number nine. Demi Lovato’s music career took off with her debut studio album ‘Don’t Forget’ on September 23, 2008. Garnering generally positive reviews from critics, and with sales of 89,000 copies within the first week. The album debuted at number two in the US and was later certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for selling 500,000 copies in the US.
Following the newly gained popularity from her film and album, Demi continued her acting and singing career. Her second studio album ‘Here We Go Again’ sold 108,000 copies within its first week resulting in it topping the Billboard 200 and making it Demi’s first number one album. The album was also certified gold soon thereafter. The favourable reviews from critics and the success of the title track across various country charts only boosted Demi’s career further.
Demi Lovato did not always have it easy. Behind her massive success and talent, she struggled with bipolar disorder, anorexia nervosa, self-harm, and was severely bullied until she went to rehab in 2010. A year later, on January 28, 2011, Demi completed her treatment. She acknowledged her struggles with mental health and also admitted to being a victim of substance abuse. However, she only came out stronger.
Demi continued releasing music but her personal struggles came to light with her album ‘Unbroken’. The lead single from the album ‘Skyscraper’, which was released in 2011, was appreciated for its message of confidence and self-worth, becoming her highest first-week sales at the time. She was also a judge on the famous singing reality show ‘The X Factor.’ Apart from this, she made a prominent appearance on the hit TV show ‘Glee.’ Demi continued making music that mattered and collaborating with artists such as Christina Aguilera, Olly Murs, Fall Out Boy, Luis Fonsi, and many more.
Known for her incredible voice used both for singing and inspiring, Demi never backs down from talking about her personal struggles and raising her voice for matters of importance. Although recently hospitalised for an overdose, Demi bounced back with a new management team that protects her mental health and a single called ‘Anyone’, which places a true emphasis on the emotions of those struggling with mental health. She has always led by example and continues to do so with her recent documentary Dancing with the Devil. An open book who expresses herself with honesty and confidence, the best of Demi Lovato is yet to come!