01of 19
MEETINGBARNEY
Everett
In the midst of her pain, Barney helped her through. “I guess subliminally, I did have a relationship with this figure that was saving my life in a way,” she said. “I’ve talked about being bullied and the years of being a teenager, but I went through things when I was younger that I’ve never talked about that probably caused me to turn out the way I ended up turning out.”
02of 19ROCKIN' OUTJohn Medland/Disney Channel/GettyBarneywas only the beginning for Lovato, who would reach superstardom years later after appearing in the Disney Channel Original Movie,Camp Rock, opposite the Jonas Brothers. The record-breaking movie-musical led to other opportunities for the rising star, who would go on to star withSelena Gomezin another Disney Channel movie,Princess Protection Program,have her own show,Sonny with a Chance,and launch her own music career.
02of 19
ROCKIN' OUT
John Medland/Disney Channel/Getty
Barneywas only the beginning for Lovato, who would reach superstardom years later after appearing in the Disney Channel Original Movie,Camp Rock, opposite the Jonas Brothers. The record-breaking movie-musical led to other opportunities for the rising star, who would go on to star withSelena Gomezin another Disney Channel movie,Princess Protection Program,have her own show,Sonny with a Chance,and launch her own music career.
03of 19FALLING OUTJason Merritt/GettyDespite their picture-perfect friendship, Lovato andSelena Gomezappeared to hit a rough patch in 2010. When a fan asked Lovato, “How’s Selena?” the singer responded, “Ask Taylor.” Fans speculated the duo had a falling out over Gomez’s close friendship with her now-BFFTaylor Swiftand Lovato’s budding friendship with fellow Disney star Miley Cyrus.
03of 19
FALLING OUT
Jason Merritt/Getty
Despite their picture-perfect friendship, Lovato andSelena Gomezappeared to hit a rough patch in 2010. When a fan asked Lovato, “How’s Selena?” the singer responded, “Ask Taylor.” Fans speculated the duo had a falling out over Gomez’s close friendship with her now-BFFTaylor Swiftand Lovato’s budding friendship with fellow Disney star Miley Cyrus.
04of 19SEEKING HELPPedro Fiúza/NurPhoto/GettyAs her celebrity grew, Lovato began using alcohol, cocaine and OxyContin as a way to self-medicate. “I lived fast and I was going to die young,” she told American Way Magazine. “I didn’t think I would make it to 21.” Lovato eventually checked into rehab in 2010, at age 18, to deal with her eating disorder, cutting and substance abuse issues.
04of 19
SEEKING HELP
Pedro Fiúza/NurPhoto/Getty
As her celebrity grew, Lovato began using alcohol, cocaine and OxyContin as a way to self-medicate. “I lived fast and I was going to die young,” she told American Way Magazine. “I didn’t think I would make it to 21.” Lovato eventually checked into rehab in 2010, at age 18, to deal with her eating disorder, cutting and substance abuse issues.
05of 19LOVING WILMERDemi Lovato/InstagramShe may have briefly dated herCamp Rockco-starJoe Jonas, but Lovato took on a more serious approach to dating when she embarked on a six-year relationship with actor Wilmer Valderrama. The couple began dating in 2010, but ultimately ended things in 2016, vowing to remain the “best of friends no matter what.“During an appearance onMillennial Hollywood with Dakota T. Jonesin April 2018, Lovato’s mom, Dianna De La Garza,opened up about the couple’s split. “I think Demi came to a point where she wanted to make some decisions in her life, and when that happened, it just really broke us all. I mean we were just so upset,” she shared.
05of 19
LOVING WILMER
Demi Lovato/Instagram
She may have briefly dated herCamp Rockco-starJoe Jonas, but Lovato took on a more serious approach to dating when she embarked on a six-year relationship with actor Wilmer Valderrama. The couple began dating in 2010, but ultimately ended things in 2016, vowing to remain the “best of friends no matter what.”
During an appearance onMillennial Hollywood with Dakota T. Jonesin April 2018, Lovato’s mom, Dianna De La Garza,opened up about the couple’s split. “I think Demi came to a point where she wanted to make some decisions in her life, and when that happened, it just really broke us all. I mean we were just so upset,” she shared.
06of 19
A DIAGNOSIS
John Shearer/Getty
“I feel like I am in control now where my whole life I wasn’t in control,” she added.
07of 19SPEAKING OUTTaylor Hill/FilmMagicLovato has never been one to shy away from speaking about her struggles with sobriety. “I couldn’t go 30 minutes to an hour without cocaine and I would bring it on airplanes. I would smuggle it basically and just wait until everyone in first class would go to sleep and I would do it right there,“she toldAccess Hollywoodin 2013. “I’d sneak to the bathroom and I’d do it. That’s how difficult it got and that was even with somebody [with me], I had a sober companion, somebody who was watching me 24/7 and living with me [and] I was able to hide it from them as well.“She continued: “I was going to the airport and I had a Sprite bottle just filled with vodka and it was just nine in the morning and I was throwing up in the car and this was just to get on a plane to go back to L.A. to the sober living house that I was staying at … I had all the help in the world, but I didn’t want it. When I hit that moment I was like, it’s no longer fun when you’re doing it alone.”
07of 19
SPEAKING OUT
Taylor Hill/FilmMagic
Lovato has never been one to shy away from speaking about her struggles with sobriety. “I couldn’t go 30 minutes to an hour without cocaine and I would bring it on airplanes. I would smuggle it basically and just wait until everyone in first class would go to sleep and I would do it right there,“she toldAccess Hollywoodin 2013. “I’d sneak to the bathroom and I’d do it. That’s how difficult it got and that was even with somebody [with me], I had a sober companion, somebody who was watching me 24/7 and living with me [and] I was able to hide it from them as well.”
She continued: “I was going to the airport and I had a Sprite bottle just filled with vodka and it was just nine in the morning and I was throwing up in the car and this was just to get on a plane to go back to L.A. to the sober living house that I was staying at … I had all the help in the world, but I didn’t want it. When I hit that moment I was like, it’s no longer fun when you’re doing it alone.”
08of 19A NEW FLAMEGuilherme Vasconcelos/InstagramOne month after she and Valderrama called it quits after six years together, Lovato became linked to MMA fighter Guilherme Vasconcelos, whom an insider says “had a quick fling” with the singer in July 2016. But the pair rekindled their romance months later, in January 2017, and stayed strong until their demise in May 2017.
08of 19
A NEW FLAME
Guilherme Vasconcelos/Instagram
One month after she and Valderrama called it quits after six years together, Lovato became linked to MMA fighter Guilherme Vasconcelos, whom an insider says “had a quick fling” with the singer in July 2016. But the pair rekindled their romance months later, in January 2017, and stayed strong until their demise in May 2017.
09of 19SELF EXPRESSIONLovato is known for her body-positive Instagram photos and messages — but the Grammy nominee is only human, after all. She told PEOPLE in May 2017 thatshe combats negative feelings with affirmations. “When I’m really down, I do a positive self-affirmation,” the star told PEOPLE. “I talk positively to myself in the mirror. As awkward and uncomfortable as it can be, it can be really self-assuring. I also talk to people around me. But getting in the gym makes me feel the best I possibly can, so I make sure I get that in.”
09of 19
SELF EXPRESSION
Lovato is known for her body-positive Instagram photos and messages — but the Grammy nominee is only human, after all. She told PEOPLE in May 2017 thatshe combats negative feelings with affirmations. “When I’m really down, I do a positive self-affirmation,” the star told PEOPLE. “I talk positively to myself in the mirror. As awkward and uncomfortable as it can be, it can be really self-assuring. I also talk to people around me. But getting in the gym makes me feel the best I possibly can, so I make sure I get that in.”
10of 19
TOUR BUDDIES
James Devaney/GC Images
In 2016, longtime friends Lovato andNick Jonasjoined forces on theirjoint Future Now tour. The two got so close on tour that fans began to speculate Lovato’s 2017 song, “Ruin the Friendship,” was about Jonas.
11of 19INSIDE LOOKDemi Lovato/InstagramLovato previously released the 2012 documentary,Stay Strong, about her rough recovery from purging and self-harming. And in October 2017, the singer opened up to PEOPLE aboutdebuting another biographical film,Simply Complicated, while admitting she was on cocaine for the majority of filmingStay Strong.“I was so honest in that documentary but I wasn’t honest enough. And I think it was because I wasn’t honest with myself,” Lovato told PEOPLE exclusively about why she opensher new YouTube documentarywith the never-before-heard confession aboutStay Strong. “Yes, I did touch on issues and certain things that were real and true but I think the biggest problem was I was lying to myself. And in this documentary, I’m 1000 percent sober and I get to really explain myself and apologize to my fans. There wasn’t anything that was off-limits.”
11of 19
INSIDE LOOK
Lovato previously released the 2012 documentary,Stay Strong, about her rough recovery from purging and self-harming. And in October 2017, the singer opened up to PEOPLE aboutdebuting another biographical film,Simply Complicated, while admitting she was on cocaine for the majority of filmingStay Strong.
“I was so honest in that documentary but I wasn’t honest enough. And I think it was because I wasn’t honest with myself,” Lovato told PEOPLE exclusively about why she opensher new YouTube documentarywith the never-before-heard confession aboutStay Strong. “Yes, I did touch on issues and certain things that were real and true but I think the biggest problem was I was lying to myself. And in this documentary, I’m 1000 percent sober and I get to really explain myself and apologize to my fans. There wasn’t anything that was off-limits.”
12of 19
TOGETHER AGAIN
Donato Sardella/Getty
13of 19DIANNA’S STORYAlbert Michael/startraksphotoIna heart-wrenching new memoir, Dianna De La Garza, Lovato’s mother, opened up about her family’s battles with mental illness and addiction — and her famous daughter’s tortured path to success. In one instance, following Lovato’s role onBarney, De La Garza recalled making a startling discovery. “[Years later] I found Demi’s diary,” De La Garza wrote inFalling with Wings. “One sentence in particular crushed my heart: ‘Nobody loves a fat rock star. Guess I’ll have to starve myself so people will like me.“By the time Lovato turned 16, De La Garza lost control of her middle daughter, who was disobeying curfew and, she suspected, getting into drugs and alcohol. “Every night I’d set an alarm for 2:00 a.m. If she wasn’t [home], I called her until she walked through the front door,” De La Garza recalled in her book. “What do you say to your child when she is the one paying most of the bills?”
13of 19
DIANNA’S STORY
Albert Michael/startraksphoto
Ina heart-wrenching new memoir, Dianna De La Garza, Lovato’s mother, opened up about her family’s battles with mental illness and addiction — and her famous daughter’s tortured path to success. In one instance, following Lovato’s role onBarney, De La Garza recalled making a startling discovery. “[Years later] I found Demi’s diary,” De La Garza wrote inFalling with Wings. “One sentence in particular crushed my heart: ‘Nobody loves a fat rock star. Guess I’ll have to starve myself so people will like me.”
By the time Lovato turned 16, De La Garza lost control of her middle daughter, who was disobeying curfew and, she suspected, getting into drugs and alcohol. “Every night I’d set an alarm for 2:00 a.m. If she wasn’t [home], I called her until she walked through the front door,” De La Garza recalled in her book. “What do you say to your child when she is the one paying most of the bills?”
14of 19SUPERSTAR COLLABIn May 2018, Lovato and Christina Aguilera teamed up for the duet, “Fall in Line,” three days after the powerhousesperformed the song live for the first timeat the Billboard Music Awards, where the crowd leapt to its feet for a rousing standing ovation.
14of 19
SUPERSTAR COLLAB
In May 2018, Lovato and Christina Aguilera teamed up for the duet, “Fall in Line,” three days after the powerhousesperformed the song live for the first timeat the Billboard Music Awards, where the crowd leapt to its feet for a rousing standing ovation.
15of 19FALLING BACKJordan Strauss/Invision/AP/REX/ShutterstockIn June 2018, Lovato released a new single, “Sober,” in which she revealed she broke her sobriety after six years. Lovato sings about the guilt she feels about relapsing, asking for forgiveness from her family and from her fans.“Mama, I’m so sorry I’m not sober anymore / And daddy please forgive me for the drinks spilled on the floor,” she sings on the heartbreaking piano ballad. “And I’m sorry for the fans I lost who watched me fall again / I wanna be a role model, but I’m only human.”“I’m sorry that I’m here again,” she adds at the end. “I promise I’ll get help / It wasn’t my intention / I’m sorry to myself.”
15of 19
FALLING BACK
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/REX/Shutterstock
In June 2018, Lovato released a new single, “Sober,” in which she revealed she broke her sobriety after six years. Lovato sings about the guilt she feels about relapsing, asking for forgiveness from her family and from her fans.
“Mama, I’m so sorry I’m not sober anymore / And daddy please forgive me for the drinks spilled on the floor,” she sings on the heartbreaking piano ballad. “And I’m sorry for the fans I lost who watched me fall again / I wanna be a role model, but I’m only human.”
“I’m sorry that I’m here again,” she adds at the end. “I promise I’ll get help / It wasn’t my intention / I’m sorry to myself.”
16of 19
THROWING SHADE?
Mike Bayer/Instagram
“Good luck on your blog,” she wrote on the same day Bayer shared a vlog on Instagram in which he shared his"biggest pet peeve"with celebrities, though he did not name Lovato.
Lovato’s fans implied Bayer’s remarks as a dig to theTell Me You Love Mehitmaker as one Lovatic even commented, “Good luck on your blog,” which Demi “liked” on Instagram.
17of 19HANGING OUTKevin Mazur/Getty; Matt Winkelmeyer/GettyThat same month, Lovato and G-Eazy sparked romance speculation when they were spotted leaving a club in the same group, following the rapper’s split from Halsey. G-Eazy, however, shot down those rumors,tellingEntertainment Tonightthat Lovato is “just a friend.”
17of 19
HANGING OUT
Kevin Mazur/Getty; Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty
That same month, Lovato and G-Eazy sparked romance speculation when they were spotted leaving a club in the same group, following the rapper’s split from Halsey. G-Eazy, however, shot down those rumors,tellingEntertainment Tonightthat Lovato is “just a friend.”
18of 19AN OVERDOSEMARK RALSTON/AFP/GettyOn July 24, Lovato was rushed to a Los Angeles hospital after sufferingan apparent overdose. She is now “stable,” a source close to the singer told PEOPLE.“This is absolutely what so many people feared would happen. She has not been sober for quite some time but more tragically, has had no interest in being sober,” an insider with knowledge of the star’songoing sobriety struggletold PEOPLE of Lovato’s recent hospitalization.
18of 19
AN OVERDOSE
MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty
On July 24, Lovato was rushed to a Los Angeles hospital after sufferingan apparent overdose. She is now “stable,” a source close to the singer told PEOPLE.
“This is absolutely what so many people feared would happen. She has not been sober for quite some time but more tragically, has had no interest in being sober,” an insider with knowledge of the star’songoing sobriety struggletold PEOPLE of Lovato’s recent hospitalization.
19of 19TAKING BIG STEPSDavid Fisher/REX/ShutterstockOn Aug. 3, sources told PEOPLE the singer agreed to enter a drug treatment center followinga relapse and overdose that left her hospitalized for 10 days. “Demi is well enough to leave the hospital this weekend. She has agreed to rehab and will go straight to an in-patient facility,” one source shared. “It’s her choice to go to rehab. This is not anything that can be forced.”
19of 19
TAKING BIG STEPS
David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock
On Aug. 3, sources told PEOPLE the singer agreed to enter a drug treatment center followinga relapse and overdose that left her hospitalized for 10 days. “Demi is well enough to leave the hospital this weekend. She has agreed to rehab and will go straight to an in-patient facility,” one source shared. “It’s her choice to go to rehab. This is not anything that can be forced.”
source: people.com
