For the Love of a Daughter

Demi has never had a close relationship with her biological father, Patrick Lovato. Her parents got divorced when she was younger and she grew up with her step father Edward De La Garza. Patrick Lovato is the subject of her song “For the Love of a Daughter.” When the song came out, her father  gave a series of interviews which he promoted. He wanted to benefit himself from her fame. In an interview with Daily News Demi said about her father, “You try to have faith in somebody, even when you're the last person that believes in him, but when somebody lets you down after you've been the only one there for them, and so many times, you don't know what to do.”

The song is from her third studio album Unbroken. It was notable for the fact that it shined light on the strained relationship Demi had with her father. She sings about her father's alcohol-related issues, which took a toll on her childhood. This was something new to everyone. “For the Love of a Daughter” was originally composed and selected to be put in her second album in 2009, Here We Go Again, but she thought it was too intense for her fan base at the time. In an interview with Women's Wear Daily, Demi explained: "When I took a step back, I realized I wouldn't like those subjects being talked about in somebody else's home, with a seven-year-old and their mom." It was something that was deep and sincere, and it showed Demi’s vulnerability.

On June 22, 2013, her father died at the age of 53 after losing a battle with cancer. The day her dad died, she tweeted this message at all her fans who were giving her support, “There's an overwhelming sense of peace knowing my dad is no longer battling his demons anymore and that makes me so happy.” She also tweeted at her fans thanking them for standing by her. Not long after her dad died, Demi revealed that her dad had suffered from a mental illness. So, she announced the creation of the Lovato Treatment Scholarship Program in honor of her dad, to help people suffering from mental illness by paying for treatment.

The program will cover any expenses for someone who is struggling with addiction issues or with mental health issues. Demi has gone through this herself so she knows what the process is like. She knows that treatment is costly and most people cannot afford the proper and effective care that they need. In response to her dad’s death, she felt it was necessary to start this program.

Here is a picture of Demi and her dad when she was young:

NEON LIGHTS!

Check out Demi's official music video for her latest single, Neon Lights. It premiered today!

Demi vs Bullying

Growing up, Demi revealed that she was bullied in school. She was bullied so much, that she dropped out of school to be home-schooled. Demi earned a high school diploma through home-schooling in April 2009. Within the same year, she became a spokesperson for PACER, an anti-bullying organization. She also appeared on America’s Next Top Model to speak out against bullying. Because she was a target of bullying, Demi knew how important it was to be a vocal supporter of bullying prevention. In an interview with People Magazine Demi said, “I had a really tough time when I was in middle school. People would write 'hate petitions' about me and send them around to be signed. They'd have CD-bashing parties of my demos. They'd come to my house, stand across the street and yell things. It was a very emotional time for me, and all I wanted to do was get away.” Check out this video of Demi expressing her past:

Demi has used her negative experience from bullying to make positive changes. She has constantly used her celebrity status to get her voice heard about the major issue of bullying. According to a study by The National Association of School Psychologists and the U.S. Dept. of Justice, 160,000 kids of all ages stay home from school everyday to avoid the stress that comes from being confronted by a bully. Throughout her time on the PACER campaign, Demi said, “Working together we can make a difference. I hope that by sharing my story, it will encourage other teens to speak out. No one deserves to be bullied.” Demi hopes that her involvement in the anti-bullying campaign will help other teenagers come forth about being bullied.

In October 2012, Demi was named the new Ambassador of Mean Stinks, an anti-bullying campaign focused on eliminating bullying among girls. When she found out what the program was about, Demi agreed to be a part of it. The program is really trying to put an end to bullying. The program asked young girls to take a pledge to have a “Drama Free School Year” by making a pinky swear, symbolized by wearing blue nail polish on their pinky fingers. Demi herself took this pledge. Here is her video for the Mean Stinks campaign:

Jess is Obsessed with Demi, So I am Obsessed with Demi

Have you ever met someone who has an obsession with a star?  Not just someone who claims to love a celebrity, but in reality knows nothing about them.  I'm talking a full blown out infatuation with someone.  Where posters of this person cover the walls of their bedroom and they stay up until midnight to get the first copy of their new CD.  Someone who stalks them around the mall and grabs her arm so fiercely at the X-Factor that there was no doubt skin left under her nails.  And when their idol has their sweet sixteen at Applebee's, they have their sweet sixteen at Applebee's.  Yeah, this is how crazy my roommate it.  Jess has an obsession with Demi Lovato.  I know what you're all thinking, Who?  Exactly what I thought when she revealed to me freshman year that she has a girl crush on Demi Lovato.  I have never met someone who has loved a celebrity as much as Jess loves Demi.  Demi is a singer, songwriter, and actress, and most people don't know this but she made her name as  a star in Barney way back when.  Most fans, and even non fans, of Demi Lovato know about her somewhat "dark" past, but Jess goes deeper.  If you asked her she would tell you that Demi has an estranged father, and that her step sister plays Eva Longoria's daughter on Desperate Housewives.  And I know for a fact that if Jess saw her walking down the street, she would stalk her as well for just being related to Demi.  Now, Jess loves to talk, and I would put a lot of money on the fact that Demi consumes about 75% of her conversations. Jess constantly sends us pictures and texts to constantly keep us updated with Demi's life. Demi just came out with a new nail polish line, and Jess went out and bought it the next day.  Yes, you read that right, nail polish.  How could her nail polish be any different than the generic one?  This is how far she takes her obsession with Demi.  I have never met anyone before with the obsession that Jess has with Demi.

It's been a long road, but I have recently found myself liking Demi Lovato as well.  Will I ever admit this to Jess' face, no.  Absolutely not!  Jess' love for Demi has rubbed me the right way and I find myself caring about when her new single is coming out, or the fact that she is playing a lesbian in the new show Glee.  I prayed this would never happen, but living with someone who has an obsession like this, and talks about a celebrity so much, it was bound to happen.  Demi, you owe Jess a huge thank you for all the new fans she has converted into Demi lovers, me being one.

-Guest post by Ally White

New Role for Demi

Like I’ve said in previous posts, Demi is now on the popular FOX show, Glee. Demi made her Glee debut that had not only Lovatics (Demi fanatics), but also Gleeks (Glee fanatics) going crazy! The first episode of season 5, which premiered on September 26, 2013, was Demi’s first time appearing on the show.

She plays a girl named Dani, who is a lesbian and becomes a new love interest for main character Santana Lopez. Santana is played by Naya Rivera. Santana first encounters Dani (Demi) at the NYC diner where they both work. She is immediately attracted to Dani. In the episode, Lea Michele’s character Rachel Berry, notices the quick chemistry between the two and tries to play matchmaker. Within the first episode, Dani and Santana sing the Beatles classic “Here Comes the Sun,” together and then they share a kiss at the end. Check out their duet below.

Demi is a huge advocate for people feeling comfortable in their own skin. Regardless of their race, size, or sexual orientation, Demi always speaks out about hoping people don’t get down on themselves based on how they look. Being someone who has gone through body image issues, she knows what it is like to be the teenage girl unhappy with how she looks. Through experience, she can inform people on how to rise above that.

In the latest issue of Latina magazine, when asked about playing a lesbian role, Demi said, “Yes, we kissed in the first episode, but I want people to pay less attention to the fact that I’m kissing a girl. Focus on the fact that having a young, multicultural lesbian couple on prime time is a huge step in our generation. It’s showing people that it’s okay to be who you are. Don’t be ashamed of it.” Demi wants people to focus on more then just the kissing scenes. Demi joked that she and Naya did some extra rehearsals to make their onscreen same-sex relationship look authentic.