Demi Lovato’s Candid Reflections on Child Stardom and Parenthood
Demi Lovato has seen and experienced enough to know she would never want a child to follow the path she took to stardom.
Promoting her upcoming documentary, “Child Star,” which examines the effects of childhood stardom through the lens of several famed actors and actresses such as Drew Barrymore, Christina Ricci, and Kenan Thompson, Lovato spoke about her life in the limelight from an early age.
Asked about her early entry into the entertainment industry, Lovato revealed an unsettling truth. “When I got into the industry at a young age, there was a conscious decision of, ‘Are you okay sacrificing a normal childhood for your hopes and dreams?'” she told The Hollywood Reporter, her voice laden with the weight of experience.
At just six years old, Lovato appeared on “Barney & Friends”—an experience that thrust her into a world far removed from the typical playtime of childhood. Her rise to fame escalated quickly; by 15, she was starring alongside the Jonas Brothers in Disney Channel’s “Camp Rock.” Yet, the sweetness of those early triumphs was tainted by the shadows they cast.
Many of her memories from that period have faded, partly due to the tumultuous nature of her teenage years. While filming the sequel, she wrestled with body image issues and drug use, leading to a notable incident where she punched a backup dancer during the tour for “Camp Rock 2.” This tumult was a cry for help from a young star navigating a world that often demanded too much.
(Bob D’Amico/Disney Channel via Getty Images)
“I think I’d passed the threshold of what I could withstand emotionally and physically,” she said, reflecting on her capacity to handle fame. “I didn’t realize that child stardom could be traumatic.” For Lovato, it wasn’t just a phase; it was a defining crucible.
(Adam Rose/Disney Channel via Getty Images)
“At Disney, you became this instant role model, whether you liked it or not,” Lovato noted, revealing the heavy burden that accompanied her fame. “With millions watching, the fear of making a mistake loomed large; it felt as though one misstep could cost me everything.”
“I didn’t realize that child stardom could be traumatic — and it isn’t traumatic for everyone, but for me, it was.”
(Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)
Despite the turmoil, Lovato asserts she has no regrets about her past, demonstrating an admirable resilience. “Every experience that I have had — the good, the bad, and the ugly — has shaped who I am today.” Gratitude shines through her reflections, as she embraces her journey.
Now engaged to musician Jordan “Jutes” Lutes, Lovato has taken stock of her experiences, particularly regarding parenthood. “I wouldn’t want this path for my child,” she stated plainly, a sense of protectiveness in her words.
At 32, she’s equipped with wisdom to guide a future child. “I’d say, ‘Let’s study music theory and prepare you for the day you turn 18.’ Not because I don’t believe in you, but because I want you to have a childhood, the childhood that I didn’t have,” she explained. The emphasis she places on a balanced upbringing is profound.
(Stefanie Keenan/VF24/WireImage for Vanity Fair)
“And also, let’s come up with a backup plan,” she added, a lesson learned from her own winding path in the entertainment industry. The pressures of fame continue to linger in her mind, making her stance on childhood fame abundantly clear: she wants better for the next generation.
Demi Lovato’s documentary, which she co-directed, is set to premiere on Hulu on September 17, offering a deeper dive into the complexities of childhood stardom and its consequences.
