Demi Lovato, the renowned singer, bravely disclosed her harrowing experiences of being s–ually assaulted as a teenager while associated with the Disney Channel back in the late 2000s.
She revealed that the perpetrator was someone she encountered regularly, and shockingly, no actions were taken against the assailant.
Tragically, Lovato faced a similar horrific incident in July 2018 when she was subjected to rape by her drug dealer amidst a near-fatal overdose episode.
Following the assault, she was admitted to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles for an extended period of recovery.
Recalling the distressing events, Lovato recollected moments of the attack, realizing later that her consent was not given under sound judgment due to the aftermath of the overdose.
The trauma lingered, profoundly impacting her mental well-being.
The singer recounted encountering the same drug dealer during a relapse following her stint in rehab as she struggled to regain control over her life.
These revelations came to light in her latest documentary series, “Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil,” premiered at the SXSW Online festival.
Through this series, she delves into her traumatic past, substance abuse issues, and the near-fatal overdose incident.
A previous documentary, “Simply Complicated,” released in 2017, shed light on her battles with addiction and eating disorders.
In various interviews featured in her docuseries, Lovato candidly discussed her struggles with eating disorders and the undue influence exerted by her management team in 2018, leading to a relapse after six years of sobriety.
Looking back on an incident from her teenage years, Lovato revealed another instance of s–ual assault at the age of 15, emphasizing that despite expressing her boundaries, she was violated against her will.
The singer expressed feelings of self-blame and internalized guilt, a common response among survivors of such heinous acts.
During her time as part of the Disney cohort, known for their public commitment to abstinence until marriage symbolized by purity rings, Lovato refrained from disclosing the identity of her attacker.
The culture of purity and the pressure to conform to societal expectations further exacerbated her struggles.
Despite the traumatic experiences, Lovato remained resilient, even speaking out against the societal norms that perpetuated her suffering.
Her decision to share her story serves as a beacon of hope for others who have endured similar traumas, encouraging them to find their voice and seek solace in speaking out.
