Tuesday we reported on a new interview with Demi Lovato, in Glamour Magazine, in which Demi doubled down on her comments claiming that Taylor Swift was not a feminist. Her argument was that Taylor surrounds herself with other thin white women basically, which made no sense. Demi said that feminism means championing equal rights causes and then added “I don’t see anybody in any sort of squad that has a normal body.” Then, in a follow up question, she called the body types in Taylor’s squad “not realistic” and said “I think that having a song and a video about tearing Katy Perry down, that’s not women’s empowerment.” Pot, meet kettle. Demi could have talked about women’s empowerment and feminism without putting down Taylor’s friends for being thin. The interviewer asked about Taylor but Demi could have kept the conversation in general terms, she didn’t have to go after Taylor’s friends.
In response to the backlash over this interview, Demi took to Twitter (which she’s quit and returned to multiple times) to give several excuses for this interview but not to apologize. At first she tweeted that her words were taken out of context, then she wondered why people pay attention to what she says, then she said she’s taking a break because she’s not cut out “for the business and the media.” Which is it, Demi? Here are her tweets in order from oldest to newest.
I get asked questions. I answer them. Sue me.
— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) October 4, 2016
Also don't forget that words can be taken out of context when doing interviews.. still not apologizing for saying what everyone want to say
— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) October 4, 2016
I don't understand why people care so much about what I say in interviews? Do y'all watch the news? Don't y'all got shit to worry about?
— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) October 4, 2016
So excited for 2017. Taking a break from music and the spotlight.. I am not meant for this business and the media 👋🏼
— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) October 4, 2016
The “why do people pay attention to me, there’s actual news” argument also known as the “kids are starving in Africa” argument is called the fallacy of relative privation and we’ve heard it many times from celebrities trying to justify their behavior.
E! has a brief quote from a “source close to Taylor,” whose response to Demi’s interview is to call Demi jealous, basically:
“Taylor has a tight group of women in her life that all have her and each others’ back and sometimes people just want that. She thought it was unnecessary for her to make those comments. They both have never been really good friends.”
“They both have never been really good friends.” Something major must have happened between these two for them to hate each other so much, right? You don’t say you’ve never been friends with someone unless you want to hurt them. Also, Taylor should have declined to comment. The best way to respond to Demi’s ridiculousness would have been to take the high road. Taylor thinks she’s doing that by using “sources,” but no.
People Magazine has a new slideshow featuring “All the people you maybe forgot were a part of Taylor Swift’s squad.” There’s no Lena Dunham though. Taylor’s friend Hailee Steinfeld has a new interview in which she reveals what it’s like to be one of the squad. In a BBC1 interview, Steinfeld said that they use the texting app Whatsapp to keep in touch through group chat and that “it’s so much fun to stay in contact and find each other along the way and all get caught up.” Taylor has said in the past that she uses group chat to keep up with her friends. I wonder why Steinfeld is talking about the squad now.
I like Lainey’s take on the fallacy of relative privation. Demi’s career exists because people care about what she does; Demi does print interviews in hopes that people will pay more attention to her. That’s not even a dig; as Lainey points out, it’s how the whole celebrity ecosystem works.
But it’s definitely infuriating that so many celebs want to pick and choose when people pay attention. Do you REALLY want people to pay more attention to world news and less attention to trivial celebrity interviews? Because there goes your paycheck, child.
“Demi’s career exists because people care about what she does”
I personally don’t.
I read and commented too, so this isn’t a personal critique, but… really? I could say the same (she’s not on my radar unless she pops up here), but here we both are.
My point was just that celebs stay relevant thanks to press coverage. But blogs only cover the press that people comment and click on… so welcome to the ecosystem.
As Brittney B said, Celebs talk or do things so that they get articles written up about them and people click & comment on the article (ie- caring about what they said)…….like right here.
We don’t. Stop giving interviews pretending we do. I didn’t read past headline.
Aren’t Demi’s anger issues well – documented? She has talked about her struggles several times and I do applaud her for that, but didn’t she PUNCH a dancer on her tour in the face? I feel like that doesn’t get brought up much. She could be more gracious, it seems most have forgiven her for that. When she talked about telling Nick to break up with Olivia, that she wasn’t good for him, I thought that was hateful. Even if you said that privately, that was someone else’s relationship, and Olivia didn’t deserve to be called out like that. She never made herself part of the Demi/Katy/Taylor talk. Demi lashes out over and over again.
you either use your voice to tell what you want to tell as an artist, or you don’t. saying whatever it is she says and whinging people are giving her grief is just immature, you can’t have it both ways. i mean, she didn’t word it incredibly well, but i got her point and yes it made sense. but then she had to stick by it, not leave in a huff.
Whinging is my favorite Brit word of all time.
Couldn’t agree more!
I wonder the same thing Demi…
I really want to know why demi dislike taylor so much. Is it because of selena gomez
Not too sure. In my opinion, it’s becoming pathetic. It’s time for her to just let it go.
Probably, I heard rumors years ago that Selena tried to get Demi help but she refused and Selena (at the time) just got tired of it and became friends with Taylor, then Demi went to rehab and.. yeah.
It must be! Because Demi has made it clear that she doesn’t f*ck with Taylor. But Selena isn’t a child, she has decided who she wants to be friends with. It’s time for Demi to let her go.
Gosh, this all sounds like high school.
I was reading comments regarding celebrity images vs. real life and at least 4 – 5 different posters who used to work for Disney or worked on tours said Demi was a bully and a bitch and never cared about bullying until people started talking about her weight. One person remembered Demi from school and said she was one of the worst bullies.
In contrast, all 4 said Selena was one of the sweetest people they’ve ever met or worked with and that she would go out of her way to be nice to people.
I’m not familiar with stories on Demi, but I’ve read many stories on Selena being very easy to work with and a real lady. I’ve always had a soft spot for her because of that. And because – sue me – I love most of her music.
I’m with you Josefina- I like Selena’s music too. Runs & hides……
Yes, I read that somewhere too, I think Blind Gossip had an item implying that Demi was a big bully, who cannot stand other women, and manipulated Nick Jonas into dumping Olivia Culpo (btw, I am embarrassed to admit I know this).
I do not care for Demi, but I was surprised to read that she was nasty considering all of her emotional problems and struggles with eating disorders, self mutilation and substance abuse. You would think if anyone would be empathetic to other’s plights, it would be her.
I think it is because Salena basically dumped Demi when she was destroying herself and refusing to get help. I also think Demi is very jealous of Tay Tay. That is obvious. Keep putting her down and putting down her body, and putting down her friends’ bodies – because that’s subtle? No, it’s a clear sign that she wishes she were like them, so hates them because she’s not.
And figure in, all the secrets and initimate knowledge Salena had of Demi she has probably shared with Taylor and Demi knows it – ouch!
It does make you wonder what Demi has on Taylor- and vice versa.
Cannot STAND Demi, but Taylor should have taken the high road. Jesus. Must she respond to every little dig? For once I wish she’d just NOT take the bait.
When has Swift ever taken the high road?
Never. She seems to get lost somewhere in the shallow land.
Don’t take my word for it, but I don’t think Taylor’s team has been using E news lately, so it could be a made up quote. Her publicist has been using People and Gossip Cop most of the time
I hope so. I want her to just lay low for a looong time. Hang with her cats and her squad, enjoy being single but you know, go away for a bit.
I agree about wanting her to lie low, but she has the Formula 1 concert in two weeks (that was announced last year, and I don’t know how much media coverage it will attract
She’s so full of herself! She’s become quite annoying lately, or perhaps she was annoying all along and I just didn’t notice it. She’s very vocal, and I don’t believe her words were taken out of text. She just needs to STFU already
Okay, Demi! You gave an interview but you got a problem with people having an opinion on it? Come on!
Plus Taylor doesn’t need friends of all sizes to be a feminist. What the hell is “a normal body” skinny women aren’t normal? Yet she wants to complain about body shaming.
I wanted to like Demi but according to my grandmother my spirit won’t take her. Also as someone who is a natural size 0 the argument that slender bodies are unrealistic is extremely annoying since the skinny life IS MY REALITY.
I initially was willing to get on board with Demi for encouraging positive body image but now that she has taken to skinny shaming and being whiny on social media I will cast her to my right because that is where my side eye is strongest.
Everytime I read shit like that I just wonder, where do you people live that skinny people are such an odd sight? Supermodel rail-thin is not something I’m likely to see on the streets, but I know tons of healthy skinny people. Some work out and watch their diet, some simply have faster metabolisms. It’s not the norm, but it’s far from uncommon. So I’m always puzzled when a picture of a skinny woman is shown and some take it as “that’s not what women look like”. But, eh, she is a woman and that is her body and there’s millions of women like her? So that is a realistic female body from any logical analysis of the term?
ITA. Maybe it’s because I live in a city where people walk a lot but thin is not rare out here, it’s very common.
Exactly Josefina. Skinny girls aren’t uncommon at all. I suppose it is human nature to have to drag down someone else in order to make yourself feel good.
I agree. And to me there is a difference between thin and actually “skinny”. To me, skinny implies too thin – gaunt, no meat. Maybe I don’t see a lot of that where I live, but I sure see lots of thin women and I’m a midwesterner. I’d think in CA and NY there are more thin women due to show biz, theater, etc.
It’s not just natural for some people to drag others down to feel better about themselves, it’s just plain jealousy – hate them because you wish you were them – very undignified IMO.
I agree and I did think about the slice of the pie that Taylor is hanging out with. I know a lot of skinny women but also live in a city and a demographic that is different then in other areas. Taylor’s friend said that they like connecting because they all do the same line of work and there are not that many typical looking women for Taylor to pick from in the industry. That will skew things right there.
I like Demi’s presence on the scene though and I like that she asks the questions or says things that a lot of us are thinking and then we get to talk about it & figure it out…..She comes across as incredibly human & relateable and I like that. She might bug but I bet she reminds you of your annoying sister or over bearing friend and that is better then the unattainable imo. But maybe she just reminds me of my sister so I am more tolerable…….
Yeah I have lived in New York City and now I live in LA. Some of my closest friends are actors and actresses, and I’ve always kind of hung around with a show biz kind of crew. I can say there’s definitely going to be a higher concentration of wealthy, polished good looking people in any celebrity crew, but there are usually always assistants and make up-artists who might be glamorous but certainly aren’t celebrity glamorous i.e. Tall thin.
For example one of my best friends is an actress, she has a television show on currently, and most of the people we spend time with are health conscious, and take care of themselves,like myself. Not only tall models (although a few are) but a higher cross section of people who clearly care about fitness and presentation. That’s her normal and it’s halfway my normal when I’m with them. But none of them sit around talking about how pretty and successful they are, which Demi seems to think they do.
Models tend to hang out with other models, or in Taylors case she is friends with a lot of models, so while to us it’s not the normal to have such a standardIzed cross section of “pretty, thin people” for her it is.
But Demi’s comment really doesn’t have anything to do (in my opinion) with the physicality of different people. What she’s really making a dig at is Taylor seemingly picking and befriending only people who fit a certain standard (and I just don’t even think that’s entirely true).
Demi continues to come across misguided and an inflated sense of self. She really should just focus on her voice, making it better, and moving forward without so many sound bytes. I kind of want to hold her in my bosom and tell her “hush hush child”.
Are you from the Caribbean ElleBee? I ask because the expression ‘my spirit didn’t take him/her’ is very prevalent in the West Indies where I live. We also call side-eye, cut eye but I use the American vernacular whenever I post online since that’s the one everyone knows.
Also, your post was both true and hilarious. True body positivity means embracing bodies of all types.
Demi’s tweets are right from the a-hole’s playbook. Defend, when that doesn’t work deflect, when that fails, whine and complain that those criticizing you don’t have anything better to do.
Yup I’m a Bajan, I didn’t bother saying cut eye because this is an american forum but glad to know if I use it someone will know what I mean.
Kittitian here ElleBee. Pleased to meetcha. 😀
I’m so glad you covered this because I was hoping you would. Is she not unfathomably ridiculous?! She needs to rein in her immaturity because it is out of bounds! I was cracking up reading her tweets. Does she not get that if people stop paying attention to her she no longer has a career? She had the audacity to respond to a fan that she’s taking a “break” from her “CAREER” in 2017 because she would prefer to do charity work.. and you know that’s supposed to be a swipe at other female celebrities who Demi hypocritically thinks aren’t doing enough. She’s so damn extra and unlikeable. She needs her meds adjusted and I’m not just being snarky when I say that. She has no control over her emotions/moods/attitude and that’s unhealthy as hell.
I think Demi’s problem with Taylor is jealousy.
Taylor has the career that Demi wants. The millions of albums sold, the recognition of the Grammys, etc. Demi has talked about how much she wanted to win a Grammy in the past.
So she probably believes that she deserves (because of her voice, her talent) what Taylor has. And the fact that she makes the headlines when she talks about Taylor must kill her
And the fact that Taylor burst on the pop scene and immediately soared to the top. Demi’s been singing for how long and on T.V. for how long? I get the feeling she thinks Taylor hasn’t paid her dues like Demi has and resents her for her speed track to success.
Demi’s never been happy with where she’s at. It’s always been obvious. If she wasn’t such a jerk I’d feel bad for someone who was so clearly desperate for outside validation.
Yeah I can’t with her. Constantly running her mouth on social media then getting all huffy when people have a reaction is just childish and drama queen-esque…just stop. Also I do get really tired of this whole skinny women aren’t real women crap. If you want to say women come in all shapes and sizes, then that has to include size 2s as well as size 18s.
Demi Lovato seems exhausting as hell. She’s that person who talks endlessly about herself, but then will tell everyone else how shallow and narcissistic THEY are.
When celebs talk about serious subjects I never understand why people pay attention. You don’t ask your lawyer medical questions. Why do we care what actors and singers think of politics? Most of them didn’t even go to college. So why does their opinion matter? Becuase they are famous? Because they influence people? If they do influence people I think the problem are the people more than them. Because there’s no reason for you to think Demi Lovato is any sort of authority on feminism.
BUT, it’s one thing for me to say this, and it’s another thing for her to say it. She’s the one who benefits from the fact silly people give a damn what she has to say. Considering she consistently preaches about this subject she clearly thinks her opinion matters, too. So it does seem like she’s just bitter now that people don’t see her shunning of skinnier women as the powerful statement she sees it as.
If I had a chance to ask Harrison Ford about the best way to fix a broKen wooden chair I would take it. I mean he was a carpenter before an actor and he has supposedly done lots of repairs on the homes he owns/owned.
He is also a dying breed of celebrities who worked their way to the top instead of gaining fame by being talentless attention junkies.
only idiots care about the things she says
Okay let’s get a few things straight. 1). Nothing was taken out of context. She straight up said that the women in Swift’s squad don’t have normal bodies. The interviewer even tried to give her an out and Demi kept talking. 2). People don’t care but because you commented on one of the most famous people in the world right now are why people are talking. 3). You claim to be a feminist and then you attack another woman and her friends simply because they don’t look like you. 4). Why do people find it weird that Taylor is friends with who she is friends with? Her group of friends right now makes perfect sense to me. Whether it be Selena, Cara, Gigi, Karlie, Blake etc. To me they all seem like they would fit right in together. And isn’t that how a group of friends work? If they look the same then shrug. That doesn’t mean they’re not normal. And if you ask me, they don’t all look the same. They just have similar body types which isn’t shocking because welcome to Hollywood. Honestly, Demi is no better than Taylor and in fact worse in my opinion.
No lies detected.
I find her statement about lack of body diversity in Tay’s squad super problematic. What’s exactly your point there, Demi? That women should start taking body type into consideration when making friendships? You didn’t learn anything in high school, did you?
Josephina exactly. I don’t know. It’s just mind boggling to me. Like should Taylor be friends with someone because they look a certain way? If she did that I would find it very problematic. Like for example I’m sure she didn’t become friends with Blake Lively because she’s blonde, tall and thin. I’m sure it has to do with the fact that they have a lot in common and probably enjoy the same things. But no. Taylor should be friends with people based on looking “realistic,” according to Demi. As if tall and thin people don’t exist in the world or something.
You know what? I love Bad blood. I don’t get why it’s not feminist to make a song like that. I had a backstabbing, lying “friend” and she seriously screwed my career. Am I supposed to keep my mind shut and forgive and forget just bc she’s a woman? If you’re an asshole, you deserve tearing down, no matter the gender, IMO.
Second, Demi, you’re not underage, and you’re in this bussiness for years. Stop with the crap “I’m not made for this”-why are you still here then? Go to college, go work as a cashier or whatever, no one is forcing you at gunpoint to keep working.
And one more thing that I was seriously miffed with in that last interview: her long days of work are triggering to her so she takes less work. That is so relatable! When I’m falling of my feet, my baby doesn’t want to move 10cm away from me and my deadline is tomorrow, and I still have to pay bills somehow, no matter the fact I’m underpaid-and my anxiety starts again, I’ll just unburden my workload, Demi. Yeah, right. Totally relatable, Demi.
Geekychick- I agree with you on a lot of your points. I do think, though, that Demi talking about triggering & setting limits is a good thing. She has a past of self harm & addiction so her finding her limits & stopping before she pushes herself too far and finds herself on a self destructive path in the name of “I have to get it done!” is a good thing. We should all learn how to do that.
But most of us don’t have that option. We can’t “turn down work” in our jobs. Demi probably can because she’s rich and can pick and choose her projects. Most of us regular folk have a job with deadlines and there’s no picking or choosing or allowance for procrastination. And that makes her unrelatable IMO.
Side Note: Check out the blind on Blind Gossip about Demi. The blind is pure gold, but I’d imagine pretty embarrassing for her….if she wasn’t embarrassed already.
I remember why Taylor and Demo aren’t friends. Back in the day Selena and Demi were best friends (all the way back in Barney together) but then Demi started dating Miley Cyrus’ older brother Trace Cyrus. This led to her hanging out with and befriending Miley. Selena and Miley hated each other over Nick Jonas and also because Miley apparently made fun of Selena and Demi in youtube videos with one of her friends. Demi and Selena also made videos about her.
Anyways, Selena then became friends with Taylor who clearly didn’t like Demi. I think Miley and Taylor sort of got in the way of the two reconnecting and Demi also felt very betrayed when Selena knowing her personal issues with cutting etc. did not reach out to her when Demi needed her oldest friends support.
I agree with Demi. I’m also baffled why people care about the things she says.
I feel like a jerk for saying it but I simply CANNOT stand her. I do think she sometimes makes good points, but it becomes lost because she is so intolerable.
If she doesn’t like to have blacklash by the press, because she says some stupid things, she shouldn’t say anything.
Demi really has some personal demons that she needs to deal with, including her jealousy of Taylor and the “squad”. I would say her staying off Twitter would help but she’ll be back on in a couple of days. She craves the attention and drama and then turns around & complains about it. It’s an ongoing cycle. Wash and repeat…
Demi, Demi, Demi..
The only thing worse than people talking about you is people NOT talking about you!!!
Ugh this woman….
1. Prop yourself up as a body-positive feminist.
2. Say something stupid and contradictory to the above.
3. “OMGyouguys there are more important things going on!” when you don’t get the reaction you wanted.
4. Quit social media in protest.
5. Make a triumphant return 24 hrs later, saying something idiotic about your rillness won’t be silenced by the haterz and shamerz!
6. Rinse and repeat.
I honestly believe that she doesn’t belong in the spotlight, she clearly has issues with it. For the sake of herself she needs to focus on a private life, maybe steer away from public social media and interviews.
I have usually ignored what Demi has said before because I knew she would keep saying (stupid) things. I have always liked that she has been very open about what she’s been through and I like that she has been outspoken about body image and ..uhm.. “realistic bodies”, but she just don’t know when to stop.
So what if the majority of Taylor’s friends are thin/skinny? Why does Demi even care about who Taylor hangs out with? Focus on yourself and your own life and career.
And I will never understand why celebrities even bother replying to haters/trolls or whatever on Twitter or other social medias. The only place where normal people can reach out to you is on social media. You don’t have to respond! Very rarely does haters follow you around in real life. You are rich and famous, you have a good life, you can go pretty much everywhere, attend exclusive events etc so why bother responding to some random person on social media? If you don’t feel like seeing the comments then have your management team run your Twitter. Or even better just delete your account.
Tay tay, we all know you have many famous friends and that’s great. But seriously, has Taylor ever stood up for any female cause? Demi has. Over and over. A d she has the personal experience to back up why she supports each cause. All I’ve ever gotten from Taylor was sunshine, butterflies and bullshit. Why not take a disabled child to an event or spent time with vets or anything? She seems to act like a spoiled, entitled, rich white girl. We are all her peasants. I find Taylor to be pathetic.
You know Demi was the one who gave the interview, right?
She helped Kesha in a very “female cause ” actually.