For superstar Demi Lovato 2020 has been a whirlwind.
She started the year with a bang by opening the Super Bowl with the "National Anthem", then singing her song, “Anyone,” at the Grammys. Then, to top it all off, released her chart-topping single, “I Love Me.”
It seemed like Lovato was ready to take on 2020, but like everyone else, she was forced to put plans on pause due to the global coronavirus pandemic.
“The first few weeks were actually a little confusing because I was so prepared to you know, start my quote-unquote, comeback, release music that I hadn’t released in years and talk about the things that I wanted to talk about for so long,” Lovato told “GMA’s” Amy Robach in an exclusive interview.
After a near fatal overdose in 2018, Lovato had spent over a year out of the spotlight, recovering. But rather than turning away and feeling ashamed about her illness, she’s used her platform to be an outspoken advocate for mental health and raising awareness about the stigmas that come with it.
“[I’m] just a little embarrassed that I’ve gone through some of the things or made some of the choices that I’ve made,” she said. “And I think that’s natural for anybody that’s you know, made mistakes in their mental illnesses.”
“But I also know that a part of getting rid of the stigma is spreading the awareness and talking about it,” she added.
To help raise awareness about mental health, Lovato has teamed up with Talkspace, an online therapy platform that connects people with licensed therapists from the privacy of your device and comfort of your home, as a paid spokesperson.
Lovato, who recently got engaged to actor Max Ehrich, said that while things have been going great in her personal life, she has “had difficult times because that’s the reality of life.”
But for those struggling right now, Lovato has one message: “You are absolutely not alone right now.”
“There are so many people, more than ever before that are feeling exactly what you’re feeling,” she said. “When you are struggling, sometimes you tend to seek out permanent solutions for temporary problems, but those have lasting impacts that make a ripple effect in so many people’s lives.”
“There are people there that love you and care about you and that will answer the phone if you call,” she added. “And if they’re not there for you, put on my music and I’ll be there.”
Along with Talkspace, Lovato has been using her platform and her time in quarantine to raise awareness about social injustices. On her 28th birthday, she launched a campaign in demand of justice for Breonna Taylor.
“We’ve entered a year where it’s been very clear that silence equals violence,” she said. “What’s important to me is seeking justice and in our society for everyone who’s oppressed. I want to use my platform for something much bigger than just singing.”
