Demi Lovato says she feels a deep sense of “responsibility” to share her personal struggles with fans, believing that openness about her mental health can help others facing similar battles. The 33-year-old singer, who first entered rehab in 2010 and was later diagnosed with bipolar disorder, has spent much of her career advocating for mental health awareness.
Over the years, Lovato has also sought treatment for bulimia and substance abuse, often using her platform to shed light on the realities of recovery. Speaking on the Las Culturistas podcast, Lovato reflected on the decision that changed the course of her public life.
“I had a decision that had to be made when I went to treatment for the first time,” she said. “I had this very public outburst when I was 18, which I talk about in some of my documentaries.” That outburst, which occurred during her 2010 tour with the Jonas Brothers, made headlines after she punched a backup dancer and subsequently entered treatment.
Lovato said her then-manager asked her to decide whether to speak publicly about her issues or keep them private. “In that moment, my manager at the time asked me, ‘Do you want to be public with what you’re going through, or do you want to sweep it under the rug and not talk about it? ‘ You have a right to both? You don’t owe anybody anything,’” she recalled.
Lovato chose transparency, saying she felt compelled to use her experience to help others. “It was this responsibility that I was willing to take on because I wish that I could have had that growing up,” she said. The Heart Attack singer explained that, as a teenager, she lacked role models who openly discussed mental health in a relatable way.
“There were older actresses that had come out and talked about having an eating disorder, but nobody that I could relate to at 13, especially at the time when the beauty standards were very, very dangerous,” she said. Lovato believes that decision set the tone for her future. “That’s kind of the catalyst for why I’ve been open about all of my struggles,” she said.
“In that moment when I made that decision, it set the tone for the rest of my life of like, I want to help people, and the best way that I know how is sharing my personal experience with them.” Lovato’s honesty continues to resonate with fans who see her as a voice for resilience, recovery, and self-acceptance in the face of public scrutiny.