DEMI LOVATO’S FRESH START
The former Disney star is taking back her life
It’s been almost 12 months since headlines broke that Disney star turned mega pop sensation Demi Lovato had been rushed to hospital following a near-fatal drug overdose. But after a stint in rehab last year, a short social media hiatus and another voluntary admission in March, Lovato is getting her life back on track. On May 12, the ‘Confident’ singer took to Instagram to share the news that she had signed with a new manager, Scooter Braun, who manages the likes of Ariana Grande, Kanye West and Justin Bieber.
The 26-year-old captioned a photo signing her management deal with Braun: “GUYS !!!!!!! Dreams came true today for me. I officially have a NEW MANAGER!!! And not just any new manager but the one and only @scooterbraun !!!! Couldn’t be happier, inspired and excited to begin this next chapter with you Scooter!!! Thank you for believing in me and for being apart of this new journey. Let’s DO THIS !!!!!! ”
On January 25, the Camp Rock alumna shared with her fans that she was celebrating six months of sobriety after her highly publicised drug overdose in July 2018.
The singer had previously announced she was celebrating six years sober in March last year before releasing her hit track ‘Sober’ a few months later, admitting she had suffered a relapse. At the time, a source revealed to WHO that things were not going well for the singer. “Things have been a total mess for months. She and her team severed ties, and they played a large part in getting her sober years ago. She hasn’t been in a good place.”
A month later, on July 24, it was reported that Lovato had been rushed to hospital from her Hollywood Hills home following a “medical emergency”. It was later revealed the star was stable, before her rep released a statement saying she needed to focus on her recovery. “Demi is awake and with her family who want to express thanks to everyone for the love, prayers and support. 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.”
An insider told WHO at the time that
the incident happened following a night of partying. “She and her ‘friends’ were on a binger the entire night … The people she has been hanging around lately aren’t her real friends – they don’t have her best interests at heart. She’s pushed her true friends away.”
Lovato broke her silence following the ordeal on August 5, writing in a now deleted Instagram post she would continue to fight. “I have always been transparent about my journey with addiction. What I’ve learned is that this illness is not something that disappears or fades with time. It is something I must continue to overcome and have not done yet,” she wrote. “I want to thank God for keeping me alive and well.”
She checked out of the rehabilitation facility in November, before rumours surfaced the star had suffered another relapse in March because she had checked herself into a treatment facility. “She has not relapsed since she overdosed. She did recently go to a facility, but it was her own decision,” a source confirmed to WHO. “It was one trip to a treatment facility for a few weeks outside of Los Angeles.”
Added the source, “She’s working out and getting back in the studio to make music.”
Most recently, Lovato enjoyed a trip with friends, rapper Sirah and actor Matthew Scott Montgomery to Bora Bora, where she posted a tribute to them for standing by her side. “Thank you for never leaving me in my darkest moments, for always drying my tears,” Lovato wrote. “You’ve travelled across the country to visit me and stayed with me at my house for days on end when I’m struggling to make sure I’m OK but most importantly you never abandoned me like others did when I was going through s--t.”
As well as focusing on her mental health, the singer has been spending time on her physical health, earning a “2nd degree blue belt” in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. “This means the world to me and I couldn’t be happier. Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a passion of mine and I can’t wait to learn more and more.”
In March, Lovato sent support for others fighting addiction: “If you’ve relapsed and are afraid to get help again, just know it’s possible to take that step towards recovery … If you’re alive today, you can make it back. You’re worth it.”
“You never abandoned me like the others did” —Demi Lovato