Goodbye, Disney and hello, diva!
In 2010, Demi Lovato entered rehab in order to deal with dark issues including an eating disorder and self-injury before leaving her hit Disney Channel show Sonny with a Chance.
The 20-year-old has gone through her fair share of trouble in the last few years, but we are glad to see that she’s come out on the other side triumphantly.
In the August edition of Cosmopolitan, the “Heart Attack” singer and X-Factor judge recently opened up about overcoming bulimia and being a role model.
Read on for some tidbits from her exclusive interview.
On being a badass role model:
When I look at someone who’s out there partying excessively or rappers rapping about doing drugs, who people look up to, and think, Oh that’s a G; that’s a gangster. I think, You’re actually being a giant pussy. Sorry, but those rockers in the ’80s were the furthest thing from rock stars. They were so insecure and so lonely that they had to do these things to get them through the day. If you’re spending your entire early 20s chasing the next party, what are you running away from? That’s not a badass. What’s a badass is when you can sit through your problems and feel emotions when you don’t want to have them. There have been nights where I’ve had to sit on my hands, because I want to act out, because I physically can’t sit still in the pain I’m dealing with, from looking back and being bullied or other things that happened. And now, as hard as it may be, I will do that. That’s what makes me a badass. Being a badass is handling your shit.
On dealing with bulimia and cutting through religion:
I’m not super religious, but I grew up Christian and I believe in God. When I’m in L.A., I don’t talk about it that much because people are very judgmental, but I just feel like God gave me a voice, not just to sing with. He put me through those things, which seemed horrible at the time, but they were so worth it. With the obstacles I’ve overcome, I can help people.
On turning 21 this August:
I look at birthdays as celebrating another year of life. You’ve made it another year. An entire year. Some people don’t make it to 21.
Demi is as beautiful and wise as ever. Learn more about her inspiring story once Cosmo hits stands July 9.
