Understanding Demi Lovato’s Life Struggles, Family And Gay Rumors

Demi Lovato is an American singer-songwriter and actress. Starting out as a Disney child star, Demi quickly established herself in the entertainment industry and is now a force to be reckoned with.

As of 2017, each of her albums has achieved at least gold certification. Her 5th studio album, “Confident” (2015) was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 59th Grammy Awards making it her first Grammy nod (She also performed at the event).

Demi earned about $4 million for her role as judge and mentor on the 2012 and 2013 seasons of the American version of X Factor.

Demi Lovato’s Rise To Stardom

Demetria Devonne Lovato was born on August 20, 1992, in Albuquerque, New Mexico and raised in Dallas, Texas. She has a mixed ethnicity – Italian, Hispanic and Irish. Taking after her mom Dianna who was a country artist, Demi began playing piano at the age of 7. She also began performing at famous venues and winning numerous talent competitions.

At the age of 10, she began playing the guitar and also started taking acting and dancing classes. Soon, she landed her TV debut, playing the main role of Angela in “Barney & Friends” (2002-2004). Demi then played small roles in a single episode of “Prison Break” and “Just Jordan.”

She went on to establish herself as a Disney star with a lead role in “As the Bell Rings”. Her career really opened up in 2008 when she starred alongside the Jonas Brothers in Disney original movie, “Camp Rock”. Together with the Jonas Brothers, she recorded three songs for the film’s soundtrack and songs that would become part of her debut album, “Don’t Forget” which was released in 2008 under Hollywood Records to positive reviews.

The album debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 and was certified gold. She supported the album with a promotional concert, “Demi Live! Warm Up Tour” which grossed $1.4 million.

She released her follow-up album “Here We Go Again” in 2009. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and sold over 108,000 copies in its first week. It was later certified gold in the US and platinum in Brazil. In support of her first two albums, Demi embarked on her debut headlining concert tour “Demi Lovato: Live in Concert”. The tour covered the North and South America, grossing $7.5 million from 51 shows.

Demi cemented her Disney star status landing her own TV series “Sonny with a Chance” in 2009 for which she played the lead. It lasted for two seasons before ending in 2011. She was reportedly paid $12,000 per episode. In between the TV gig, she starred in two more Disney original movies; “Princess Protection Program” (2009) and “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam” (2010). She also appeared in an episode of medical drama series “Grey’s Anatomy”.

Before turning 18, Lovato was already a millionaire! For her 18th birthday in 2010, she bought her family a 4,053 square feet, 4 bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms Spanish-style mansion in Sherman Oaks, CA priced at a little over $2.2 million. Before the purchase, Demi lived with her family in a rented 6 bedroom Mediterranean style mini-mansion in Toluca Lake, Los Angeles. Around the same time, Demi became the owner of a Mercedes-Benz E350 valued at $150,000 and a Range Rover Sports Supercharged, valued at $85,000.

See Also: Inside Selena Gomez Relationship With Justin Bieber

Health Problems, Rehab and Comeback

Most Disney child stars, while transitioning into adulthood always find themselves in some type of drama. Demi’s came in 2010 during the Jonas Brothers Live Concert tour when she reportedly hit a female dancer backstage, giving the media a field day. Demi sought to get her acts together by checking into a rehab facility. Her spokesperson said the pop star was going through “emotional and physical issues” as a result of an eating disorder and self-harm through cutting. Demi herself confessed to using drugs and alcohol to suppress her self-harm. As she was being treated for her issues, she was also diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

While Demi’s problems might have been triggered by the pressure of teenage stardom, she had a history of battling depression and rejection. Back in high school, she was a victim of constant bullying which forced her mom to get her homeschooled. Demi’s woes were compounded by rumours that she was dating 30-year-old Wilmer Valderrama right after breaking up with Joe Jonas. It turned out not to be rumours, the pair dated for 6 years before calling it quits in 2016.

However, Demi checked out of rehab in 2011 and in 2013, she began living in a sober-living facility in Los Angeles to avoid returning to old habits.

Despite her struggles, Demi’s next album “Unbroken” (2011) was an instant success peaking at #4 on the Billboard 200 and producing the platinum-selling hit single “Skyscraper”. Like her other albums, it was certified gold. Her 2013 album, “Demi” which recorded simultaneously while she served as X Factor judge sold over 110,000 copies in its first week, making it her most successful first week sales.

While making new music, Lovato continued to promote them through touring. Her second headlining tour “A Special Night with Demi Lovato” (2011-2013) played 68 shows including Europe and Asia and grossed $48 million. Her 2014 “The Neon Lights Tour” grossed $16.8 million from 44 shows. Demi World Tour grossed $4 million. “Future Now Tour” (2016) in collaboration with Nick Jonas grossed over $8 million.

Is Demi Lovato Gay?

Demi Lovato actively supports gay rights. She was seen frolicking with an American DJ, Lauren Abedini, and that fired up suggestions and questions about her sexual orientation. While you will find people asking if Demi Lovato is gay, others are wondering if she’s bisexual or heterosexual.

The reasons for these questions are not far-fetched. Before DJ Abedini, Demi has been in the spotlight for a number of relationships with the opposite sex. She has been involved with men at one point or the other since she started her career in 2007. For instance, Demi Lovato was in a relationship with the wrestler and mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter, Guilherme Vasconcelos. Just like most of her affairs, the relationship which started in July 2016 lasted for a little over a year (with a break in between) before it hit the rocks. When she was on break from Guilherme, she dated former UFC middleweight champion, Luke Rockhold for a few months.

Before Guilherme Vasconcelos, Demi had a longterm relationship with Wilmer Valderrama. It lasted for 6 years (2010-2016). While it was once rumoured that she had a fling with Rob Kardashian in 2010, other men who have been in and out of Demi Lovato’s life include Jonathan Fryar (2007), Cody Linley (2007-2008), Alex DeLeon (2008-2009), Trace Cyrus (2009) and Joe Jonas (2010).

She has since dated Henry Levy, a fashion designer and their relationship lasted till March 2019 when they called it quits.

Giving this very long history with men, no one would wonder why the internet went into a frenzy with her latest relationship. To answer the questions asked about her sexual orientation, Demi Lovato in an interview promised to inform the world about her sexual attractions when she feels ready to do so. Nonetheless, she hinted that she finds men, women and transgenders attractive. So, where do we place Demi Lovato? Your guess is as good as mine.

What We Know About Her Family

Her father’s name is Patrick Lovato while her mother’s name is Dianna De La Garza. Demi wrote so many songs about her father who died of cancer at the age of 53 in June 2013. She has an older sister named Dallas Lovato as well as a younger sister who is an actress, Madison De La Garza, and an older half-sister, Amber. Demi had a very sour relationship with her father, especially after he divorced her mother even though she claimed he was a good person. After his death, she created the Lovato Treatment Scholarship Program in his honour.

Other Life Endeavours

In addition to doing music, and acting in TV shows, Demi has had a handful of voice-over roles in animated films like “Smurfs: The Lost Village” and “Charming”. She has also used her voice to shill for companies like Hasbro, Denny’s and Radica. In her spare time, Demi advocates against bullying in schools. She has also made worthy contributions to charity in support of mentally-ill children as well as other numerous causes.

In September 2016, Demi purchased a 4 bedroom Hollywood Hills mansion for $8.3 million. In January 2017, the house was exposed to huge damage after a landslide.