Crush: Hollywood’s Next GenerationDemi Lovato: I Still Struggle With Cutting, Bulimia
Before she entered rehab, Demi Lovato's image was that of a squeaky-clean Disney star who little girls looked up to with the approval of their parents. She was a multi-talented starlet with a successful TV show, "Sonny With a Chance," and an up-and-coming music career that had her touring with her "Camp Rock" co-stars The Jonas Brothers. That was before she sought help at Illinois' Timberline Knolls in November 2010. Now, Demi admits that the entire time before entering the treatment program, she felt ashamed to be living a lie, and even thought, "Why would you want your kids to be like me?"
The revelations come as the 19-year-old, who has been open about her problems, offered fans a glimpse at her life today with the MTV documentary "Stay Strong: Demi Lovato," and an interview during the aftershow, in which she spoke candidly about her ongoing struggle. "I cannot tell you that I have not thrown up since treatment," she confessed to the network's SuChin Pak. "I cannot tell you that I have not cut myself since treatment. I'm not perfect. This is a daily battle that I will face the rest of my life."
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At a time when stars like Demi Moore, Lindsay Lohan, and countless others say little about their rumored personal demons, Lovato's honesty about what she's been through -- make that still going through -- is rare. Besides the doc, Demi has spoken about the issue in several other interviews and even writes a column about it and other topics for Seventeen magazine. Such honesty -- and bravery, since Demi couldn't be sure all of her pre-rehab fans would still support her after learning the truth -- is admirable. She explained that the hope of helping others in similar situations is the reason she felt compelled to tell her story.
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"I just remember being 12, 13 and going through these issues alone. I didn't really have a celebrity or anybody in the public eye to look at and say well, 'if she got through this, then so can I,'" Demi noted. "I'm not fixed. This is a daily battle. But I continue to work my butt off because now I wanna be a legitimate role model."
Don't worry, Demi, you already are.
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