Demi Lovato covers the August issue of Self magazine, and she is (of course) still talking about her rehab stint for “emotional and physical issues” that were also related to an eating disorder. Over the past year or so, Demi has also dropped several hints of her self-harm disorder as well, but she’s never really spoken about why she cut herself. Now she’s opening up a bit more thanks to some questions straight from Self readers. Here are some excerpts:
Why she cut herself: “There were times I felt so anxious, almost like I was crawling out of my skin — that if I didn’t do something physical to match the way I felt inside, I would explode. I cut myself to take my mind off that. I just didn’t care what happened. I had no fear.”
On healing herself: “I make time for myself and meditate. I’ve spent the past two years getting over an eating disorder and issues like self-harming and bipolar disorder. I have to work on this stuff every day. I’m reminded of that whenever I eat or feel down.”
On abandoning her smart phone: “I haven’t used my cell in three months! Subconsciously, it was a crutch. When a room gets quiet, what do you do? Grab your phone! Now I can sit and have conversations with people.”
On the other “X-Factor” judges: “Britney [Spears] is such a sweet girl! We’ve gone through a lot of the same things, so we have a connection. Simon [Cowell]’s so funny and so cool, and LA [Reid]–he’s really awesome. He seems really, really sweet so I’m excited to get to work with all of them. I was totally nervous about Simon, too. I was expecting him to be mean or something, because of American Idol, you know? He’s like so, just, real.”
On beauty: “I used to feel my most beautiful when I was on the red carpet or at events or something where I’m all dolled up. Now I feel like the moment when I feel most beautiful is when I’m able to hang out with a guy without my makeup on or lay on the beach with no makeup on and not even worrying about what my hair or what I look like before I fall asleep. When I’m confident enough to show myself without makeup on, that’s when I feel my most confident.”
[From Self]
Demi seems like she’s truly developing a base sense of self after feeling so completely lost a few years ago. The girl has embraced therapy and is learning to live with her bipolar diagnosis as well. I also really like what she has to say about beauty, but I wish I could believe it — because I don’t think she’s telling the truth there. If Demi truly felt comfortable with her physical looks, then why does she look so abruptly blonde and different in this Self pictorial?
Photos courtesy of Self
She’s so young, and she seems to be trying hard and on the right path. I hope that this season is a great thing for her and Britney Spears. I’d love to see them both succeed.
And I’d love to see them both gone for good. Can’t stand these brats. If you are so sensitive ———> QUIT. It’s plain and simple. You are an adult. Just make decision. Stop looking for excuses. No sympathy for her.
I would have sworn when I seen the pic on the main page that was a “Real Housewife” of something or other, I had no idea that was Demi Lavato.
In the photoshoot she looks a lot like Shakira!
As the mother of two daughters not much older than her, I can attest that young girls often like to change their looks, especially their hair. Demi going blonde may be something as simple as that. She may also want to look different for the tv show and for her concerts. I don’t think it is of concern. She has come a long way and seems far healthier and happier than in the past. She has been in show biz so long despite her age that it is easy to forget that she is still young and like girls her age likes to have fun with her looks and clothes.
I know, right? I didn’t get that b/c she changed her hair color, that makes her a liar? WTF?
Yeah, that didn’t make any sense to me either. It’s not like it’s plastic surgery. Also, I think maybe it’s been too soon for her to be all ‘I’m better!’ Too bad she can’t take 2 years off and completely heal rather than still be in the spotlight and have to constantly talk about her problems.
This exploitation of her personal struggles to advance her career seems so cheap and calculated. Maybe it would seem genuine if she talked about all of it: like her drug use, punching out her back up dancer, and hooking up with skeezy guys like Wilmer Valderama. Not just things that will paint her as a victim.
I completely disagree. All of her interviews never seem to be about her exploiting her plights. I think she has come to terms with what her issues were/are and she is just trying to share her experiences and knowledge to let other girls know they are not alone and there is help. At least, she is one of the only few that is honest about her past/issues and does not blame everyone else. She takes full accountability; that for someone so young and in Hollywood is refreshing. As a counselor myself, I applaud her.
Yeah, how is her being public about cutting furthering her career as a Disney actress? I’m happy to see she is being honest about the problems she has that other girls have too.
This girl isnt so inevitably special or stunning or talented or that amazing a singer that we can’t all in the collective LET.HER. GO so she can go be in Montana or something taking care of her coke/cutting/food issues away from Wilmer Valderrama and Disney
There, i’ve said it!
Neither is Britney for that matter.
THIS KIMLEE
Montana? Can’t we send them to Nebraska or some place well that isn’t Montana. I don’t want to see all these Hollyweirdos when I go home.
Ok, Sillyone, lemme cut you a Deal, Nebraska BUT you are going to take an L on a bigger nutjob sooner or later! I just figure is a pretty and far far away place for a moneyed celeb to get their shit together
Personally, I think she’s an incredibly talented singer. And as much as I subscribe to the principle ‘overfamiliarity breeds contempt’, I truly hope she doesn’t go away.
She’s one of the few people in the public eye who doesn’t shy away from talking and explaining about her conditions. And although it may get old very easily for many people, it truly resonates those who have had simialar troubles. Whether you’re aware of it or not, her recovery and honesty has inspired many a teenager and adult. So, personally, I don’t think she needs to go away.
Ok Ok…I will take Demi however Lohan and the likes of her must stay in Hollywood or Nebraska. Deal?
fair deal 🙂
Um, it’s called cocaine dear. You should try to stay away from it if you want less anxiety. o.O
I think she should not address it, because other girls might see it and thnk if Demi was okay after they might be as well
Hope that was sarcasm. No-one self harms because the cool kids are doing it. You do it because your despair and self loathing is so all consuming that physical pain is a nice break. It’s freeing because it concentrates your mind on something else very effectively. Sadly it’s effects are very temporary and you’re left feeling even worse for self harming, you feel weak and pathetic and like a total loser. Knowing you’re not a lone psycho is actually a good thing. It’s why despite how lame she’s become in recent years I’ll always be a fan of Angelina Jolie’s for talking about her own experiences.
Well said Djinn.
Natavalita…cutting is not something girls (or boys or women or men) do to be cool, at least not to the extent that I think we are all discussing here.
The girls that she is trying to reach by talking about her struggles are already struggling with these issues and it is so important for someone they can relate to to tell them that “yes, I struggled with this, you’re not alone and please get help because you can be ok!?
She isn’t saying, “cutting is nbd, do it, get help and you’ll be fine.” She is speaking to all those people who are ALREADY struggling and letting them know there is relief.
From experience I can tell you that this is a lonely world and hopefully someone’s honest discussion of it, instead of the shame or lies that most in Demi’s position choose to go for (not judging that at all, trust me, I get it) can really make a difference in people’s lives at a really crucial time.
The wonders of Photoshop. “Being Happy is a choice, blah, blah, blah….”. Being an Idiot is a choice too.
Seriously. It doesn’t even look like her. I have no idea why she’d rather cut herself than take an anti-anxiety medication while simultaneously getting help from a mental health professional. Just taking a Xanax won’t cut it, but combined with therapy, it can work wonders.
Due to (tragic) family circumstances, my daughter became anorexic and a cutter. There is no such thing as absolute recovery – and certainly no cure for bipolar. Hair color is the least of her problems and something she can control. Kudos to her walking the talk at least publicly. She’s very young and has a brilliant future ahead of her if she sticks to her guns. Don’t feed her insecurities by criticizing her for a comeback clearly orchestrated by a publicist.
I’m so sorry Stephanie. It’s incredibly hard to watch.
My sister started cutting after our Dad died and there will never be enough words to describe the pain and hopelessness you feel not being able to do anything, but last year I walked her down the aisle, giant smile on her face, and she hasn’t cut for 4 years.
I’m going to pray for you and your daughter this evening.
I guess I am one of the few that really hearts Demi and rooting for her. Plus I love these pictures. She’s giving me that “I’m wearing black lace panties” look ever so innocently.
I really like her too and wish her nothing but the best.
+2
I don’t think she’s not being genuine with her words… People in certain positions can’t help but say what they think everyone wants to hear.
When I was 18 I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and borderline personality disorder. Both of which were misdiagnosed (shocking, I know). I experienced severe trauma throughout my childhood (suicide of parent and 2 friends, abuse, etc) and was expressing the only way I knew how (cutting, burning, sex, drugs, etc)…
After deciding that I couldn’t live like that anymore (around 24 yrs old) I got my shit together. I’m doing great considering the circumstances…
But it is a struggle… Maybe not daily like everyone says… But I still can’t help but burn myself when I’m overwhelmingly sad or stressed (and I’m just about 30)… But it’s really sad she is in this position. She seems to be doing the right things… But I doubt she will ever fully feel ok while still being in LA and that f*cked up industry.
You can dye your hair and still be happy with yourself.
Dying your hair doesn’t mean you’re not comfortable with your looks. It’s just dying your hair. I went for auburn at her age, because why not?
Plus in photo-shoots, you do what the photographer and magazine tell you to do generally. Unless you’re Jennifer Aniston and look precisely the same every single f*ing time and have forever.
Some of Demi’s comments really hit home. For anyone who has been driven to self-harm, it really does boil down to getting control and feeling in your body what you already feel in your heart. I’m glad she’s being honest about it. Hang in there!
As for “truly being comfortable with her physical appearance”, I’m guessing she’s coping in the best way she knows how; I mean, does anyone remember when Miley said she was “happy with [her] curves”, only to then disappear and reemerge as a skinny pilates addict?
Demi needs to spend a few weeks in an actual psychiatric ward and shut up about her “issues” (read: too much coke) for a while. She’s been playing this story for nearly two friggin’ years now it seems.
demi lovato saved my life she is such an inspiration.
I’m not a tween so I don’t know any of her songs or have seen her in any movies so I cannot speak on her talent or lack thereof. I only know her through these types of interviews where she talks about her problems. I think to an extent it’s admirable if it helps raise awareness. I’m just wary of this recovery….it seems so quick. I feel like she’ll relapse because are ppl so enlightened and cured so quickly? Oh and is that a sequined dress on a beach?!