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Amina Rizvon

Dr. Clark

ENGW1111

12 March 2023

Demi Lovato: The Ugly Truth of being a Child Star

Demi Lovato pictured at the Disney TV & Music Season photocall in Madrid, Spain in April 2009 (“Demi Lovato’s

All-Time…”)

Posing for one of her first Disney debuts, Demi Lovato smiles at the Disney TV & Music

Season photocall in Madrid, Spain. Her confidence and charisma emanated as she walked the red

carpet right before the premiere of her soon to be hit show, Sonny with a Chance (2009). The

paparazzi and fans were screaming her name and requesting poses. This was not a new process
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for Demi. At just the age of 10, Demi made her debut in acting in Barney & Friends (2002) with

fellow costar, Selena Gomez. All types of audiences knew about Demi- children loved her,

teenagers envied her, parents approved of her, and more. She was a nationally known individual.

Demi was a prevalent star and inspiration for many, but not everything was as it appeared at the

photocall.

Demi grew up in the spotlight. She made her acting debut in Barney & Friends in 2002,

when she was only 10 years old (Stromsodd). After gaining some experiences in the acting

industry, Demi eventually affiliated herself with Disney. She acted in several leading roles with

Disney, such as Camp Rock (2008), Princess Protection Program (2009), and As the Bell Rings

(2007). Her popularity rose enormously as she was becoming a familiar face all over Hollywood.

Not only was she a successful actor, Demi was simultaneously pursuing a music career in 2008.

Her debut album, ‘Don’t Forget’, charted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart (Roth). The

album spent approximately 45 weeks on the charts. The major success she gained from her music

ultimately had Demi shifting her priorities from acting to music. With several top hit singles,

Demi became what many people consider to be a ‘force to be reckoned with’ (Blackford).

Demi used her voice to express herself. However, many people seemed to forget that

Demi was also a child during this time. As her popularity and success skyrocketed, her mental

health secretly declined behind the scenes (Blackford). In a study conducted, researchers

observed Whitney Houston’s death and analyzed her adaptation to fame, the hate she received,

and drug addiction to link her to many similar celebrities, such as Judy Garland and Michael

Jackson (Rockwell). Thus, leading the researchers to the conclusion of being a celebrity means

countless scrutinization. The celebrity frequently goes through a developmental phase of initially

being loved, then loathing fame due to hate, and eventually accepting and adapting, both
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positively and negatively, to the experience of fame (Rockwell). Demi, being no exception, was

extremely scrutinized as she was so versatile and known for many talents in the industry.

Growing up in the acting industry can lead to a very toxic mindset. Because of the nature of the

entertainment industry, child stars are frequently introduced to drugs, alcohol, and sex at a young

age (Schrader). In a correlation study, child stars were introduced to the emotions of jealousy,

rejection, obsessive ideas, and self-criticism due to their incessant urge to be flawless (Schrader).

Demi would expose what she had negatively experienced when she was a child star in her songs.

This can be seen in 2011 when Demi released the album, ‘Unbroken’. This album represents the

emotional distress she had felt while growing up as a child star and how she overcame it with

psychological treatment. Seeing the massive support and success she gained from the album,

Demi would often make her albums and singles relate to the mental struggles she was currently

facing at the time. As Demi’s career progressed, she became a major and strong advocate for

mental health and its serious impacts

Mental health is currently a very prevalent topic in the United States (Anwar). There are

three aspects of mental health: emotional, psychological, and social well being (“About Mental

Health”). These three aspects of mental health influences how one deals with stress, interacts

with people, and makes good decisions. These three aspects of mental health must be treated

with utmost care because mental health is equally of importance as physical health is. An

example of this can be seen with the common mental illness, depression. Depression raises the

possibility of gaining a variety of physical health issues, such as heart diseases, diabetes, and

strokes (Anwar). This possibility of gaining a mental illness can also be increased if one were

diagnosed with a physical health illness. This topic has become so significant that in a study

conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it was found that one out of
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five adults suffer with at least 1 mental health illness (Anwar). A reason why mental health

awareness is so crucial is because it was also found that people typically suffer in silence rather

than seeking treatments for their ailments due to certain ‘myths and stigma’ around mental health

issues (“The Importance of Mental Health Awareness Month”). Mental health awareness is an

essential effort for increasing understanding of mental health disorders and increasing access to

healthcare for those in need. Thus, the need for mental health awareness is so essential as many

struggle with some kind of mental health condition.

Although Demi continued to appear in public with a bright smile and cheerful energy, she

was experiencing tremendous suffering. As previously mentioned, Demi used her music career to

express the battles she fought and endured in response to her decline in mental health. An

example of this can be seen with her 2017 American Music Awards (AMAs) performance where

she projected real hate comments in the background while singing her song, ‘Sorry Not Sorry’.

She commented: “There’s so much hate in this world. We have to rise up and never say ‘sorry’

for who you are” (Perez). This performance sent out the powerful message that no matter what it

is important to fight back and keep going. Aside from her music career, Demi is also very open

about her own struggles with mental health. In her documentary, ‘Simply Complicated’ (2017),

Demi discussed her prior experiences with drug abuse as well as dealing with bipolar disorder

and eating disorders. She also discussed the toxicity she experienced while growing up in the

acting industry.

The effect that celebrities have with advocating for mental health is substantial. Not only

do they have large followings, but they have access to so many more resources, such as money,

connections, and hierarchical power. Similar to Demi, many other child actors and celebrities

have advocated for mental health awareness. Demi’s previous coworker and child actress, Selena
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Gomez is another big figure of mental health awareness. After being diagnosed with Lupus,

Gomez discussed struggling with anxiety and depression. She states: "I've discovered that

anxiety, panic attacks and depression can be side effects of lupus, which can present their own

challenges" (Roberts). Selena continued discussing how she knows she’s not alone in this battle

and how she hopes by sharing her own struggles, others will feel more motivation and

encouragement. Another prevalent child star and advocate of mental health is Miley Cyrus.

Miley frequently discusses her struggles with depression. In an interview with ELLE, Miley did

a deep dive with how depression feels and how it impacts her and her surroundings (Roberts).

Besides these three (now grown) child stars, there are many other authoritative figures in the

media who are major advocates with mental health awareness and its impact.

Despite the substantial hate Demi receives from being a well known star, she continues

to overcome any force of hatred coming her way. Her efforts of constantly speaking out about

mental health through interviews, music, performances, and more are nationwide appreciated as

many feel more comfortable and encouraged to keep fighting against their struggles. Demi

Lovato is extremely strong minded and talented as she overcame many issues that occurred in

her life. Even though Demi continues to struggle from mental illnesses, she never fails to be an

inspiration for those struggling mentally as she continues to heavily advocate about mental

health awareness and its serious impacts.

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Works Cited

Anwar, Bisma. “Why Is Mental Health Important?” Talkspace, 11 Apr. 2022,

www.talkspace.com/blog/why-is-mental-health-important/.

“About Mental Health.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention, 28 June 2021, www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/learn/index.htm.

Blackford, Meghan. “Demi Lovato Stone Cold Sober: Mental Health and Substance Use.” FHE

Health – Addiction & Mental Health Care, 12 Jan. 2021, fherehab.com/learning/demi-

lovato-sober.

“Demi Lovato's All-Time Best Red Carpet Moments.” Us Weekly, 20 Aug. 2020,

www.usmagazine.com/stylish/pictures/demi-lovatos-best-red-carpet-moments-and-style-

evolution-w507892/.

Perez, Lexy. “American Music Awards: Demi Lovato Sends Powerful Message with ‘Sorry Not

Sorry’ Performance.” The Hollywood Reporter, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2017,

www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/american-music-awards-demi-lovato-

sends-powerful-message-sorry-not-sorry-performance-1060010/.

Rockwell, Donna. “The Psychological Mindset of Being Famous.” Unbound, 20 Aug.

2018, www.saybrook.edu/unbound/fame-is-a-dangerous-drug/.
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Roth, Madeline. “How Demi Lovato's Debut Album Made Her Disney's Edgiest Star.” MTV, 20

Sept. 2018, www.mtv.com/news/d83h9d/demi-lovato-dont-forget-10-years.

Schrader, Jessica. “The Child Performer | Psychology Today.” Www.psychologytoday.com, 22

June 2011, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-the-trenches/201106/the-child-

performer#:~:text=Child%20actors%20often%20are%20overprotected.

Stromsodd, Jan. “How Demi Lovato Got Her Big Break on Barney & Friends.” Your Next Shoes,

1 Dec. 2021, www.yournextshoes.com/barney-friends-demi-lovato/.

“The Importance of Mental Health Awareness Month” Lifespan, www.lifespan.org/lifespan-

living/importance-mental-health-awareness-month#:~:text=Because%20of

%20misconceptions%20and%20stigma.