Windsor Star

Support pours in for Demi

Singer-actress recovering at home after getting treatment for overdose

- MESFIN FEKADU

A representa­tive for Demi Lovato says she is awake and recovering with her family after the pop singer was reportedly hospitaliz­ed Tuesday for an overdose.

“Demi is awake and with her family who want to express thanks to everyone for the love, prayers and support,” Lovato’s representa­tive said in a statement Tuesday evening.

“Some of the informatio­n being reported is incorrect and they respectful­ly ask for privacy and not speculatio­n as her health and recovery is the most important thing right now.”

The statement did not provide any details on what led to the singer’s hospitaliz­ation. Emergency officials confirmed they transporte­d a 25-year-old woman who lives on Lovato’s block to the hospital after receiving a call at 11:22 a.m. Tuesday.

TMZ was the first to report that Lovato had been hospitaliz­ed for a drug overdose, based on its sources, and other outlets including People magazine also reported her hospitaliz­ation based on sources. Lovato indicated in a new song released last month that she relapsed after six years of sobriety. On the song Sober, she sings the lyrics: “Momma, I’m so sorry I’m not sober anymore / And Daddy, please forgive me for the drinks spilled on the floor.”

In her YouTube documentar­y released last year called Demi Lovato: Simply Complicate­d, she openly discusses her cocaine use and battles with alcohol.

Fox pulled its episode of Beat Shazam featuring Lovato, which was to air Tuesday night. “We have decided to replace the episode of Beat Shazam with another all-new episode. Our thoughts go out to Demi and her family,” the network said. Lovato was scheduled to perform in Atlantic City, N.J., on Thursday. News crews gathered outside Lovato’s home in the Hollywood Hills, where vehicles were seen entering and leaving Tuesday afternoon. Their occupants did not stop to speak to reporters. The hashtag #PrayForDem­i trended on Twitter and several celebritie­s posted supportive words Tuesday, including Missy Elliott, Ariana Grande, Brad Paisley, Kesha, Bebe Rexha, Meghan Trainor, Maren Morris, Kehlani and British electronic group Clean Bandit, whose current single Solo features Lovato.

Ellen DeGeneres tweeted that “it breaks my heart that she is going through this. She is a light in this world, and I am sending my love to her and her family.”

The singer-actress, who entered rehab in 2010, struggled with an eating disorder, self-mutilation and other issues. She has spoken out about her battles with drugs and alcohol over the years, and she’s become a role model for young women and men who have faced their own issues. Lovato, who was a child actress on the TV series Barney & Friends, broke on the scene as a teen on the Disney Channel film Camp Rock and the network series Sonny With a Chance. She went on to become a multi-platinum pop star, launching Top 10 hits like Sorry Not Sorry, Skyscraper and Heart Attack. Her 2015 album, Confident, earned her a Grammy nomination for best pop vocal album.

Demi is awake and with her family who want to express thanks to everyone for the love, prayers and support.

 ?? JOHN SALANGSANG/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ?? Demi Lovato’s hospitaliz­ation prompted celebritie­s such as Missy Elliott, Ariana Grande and Brad Paisley to tweet their support. The hashtag #PrayForDem­i also trended on Twitter.
JOHN SALANGSANG/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Demi Lovato’s hospitaliz­ation prompted celebritie­s such as Missy Elliott, Ariana Grande and Brad Paisley to tweet their support. The hashtag #PrayForDem­i also trended on Twitter.

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