About the Artist

Who Sounds Like Who
Worth Dying For  1 Girl Nation  V. Rose  Britt Nicole  Holly Starr  Riley Clemmons 

07/24/18 Billboard Magazine Demi Lovato hospitalized apparent drug overdose. TMZ, which first broke the story, reported that the "Sorry Not Sorry" singer was rushed to the hospital after she was found unconscious in her home. She was treated with Narcan, used to reverse opioid overdose. The publication also claimed the drug Lovato used was heroin.  The singer has a history of substance abuse and eating disorders. She confessed to relapsing after 6 years of sobriety in her latest single, "Sober."  

07/25/18 Guardian Story "I Wasnt Ready To Get Sober..."

Demi Levato: Simply Complicted - Official Documentary (10/17/17) shares her story/struggles

Who Is She
At the age of 25, Demi Lovato has done more than many entertainers twice her age. She began her career alongside friend Selena Gomez on Barney & Friends. Her next major project was co-starring with the Jonas Brothers in the hit Disney Channel movie, Camp Rock. She also sang several songs on the soundtrack and people began to notice that she was quite a gifted vocalist. Her show, Sonny With A Chance, followed and was also a huge hit. Demi released her first album in 2008 and each subsequent release has sold more than the last and provided her with numerous multi-platinum singles including “Give Your Heart A Break”, “Heart Attack” and “Neon Lights”. After two seasons as a judge with Simon Cowell on The X-Factor, Demi began to focus her multi-faceted talents solely on her music. Several successful tours later, the future had looked bright for Lovato (as a rare example of a child star successfully transitioning into an adult career) until drugs and the pressure of keeping up the image changed her trajectory.

What Are Her Messages
The most interesting aspect of Demi’s music is her transparency. In 2010, after a nervous breakdown, she entered a rehab facility to address many issues, including bulimia, self-harm and drug use. Once her treatment was completed, she lived in a sobriety house for a year, ensuring that her recovery was her top priority. Unlike many of her young Hollywood peers, she has actually remained healthy and even turned that experience into a platform to speak and sing about mental illness and self-image. After being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, she began to write her most personal music yet. Her song, “Skyscraper”, is a determined ode to survival, even in the face of insurmountable odds. Sure, she has released her share of love songs, but the bulk of her material probes a bit deeper into topics like healing from hurt, her relationship with her estranged father and encouraging those fighting challenges in their lives.

What Does A Youthworker Need2Know
Demi has become one of the most recognizable faces to come out of the Disney machine. She has been open about her struggles which have continued. Those students in your group, especially young ladies, who have ever dealt with any kind of mental illness, depression or self-worth issues can be helped by the ups and downs of her story.   It shouldn't take much for you to springboard off her messages into showing the impact of bad choices AND how God is ready to step in to forgive, comfort and heal.