Demi Lovato Says 'Negative' Impact of Fame on Her Mental Health Caused 'Incident Where You Punch Your Backup Dancer'

Mar. 15, 2025

Demi Lovato in Los Angeles in February 2024.Photo:Jerritt Clark/Getty

Jerritt Clark/Getty

Demi Lovatois putting it all out there.In their new documentaryChild Star, which she co-directed with Nicola Marsh — the actor/musician (who uses she/they pronouns) reflected on the “explosive” moments that came from the negative impact of fame on her mental health.“I didn’t realize that it would have such a negative impact on my mental health,” Lovato, 32, said of their experience with fame. “And unfortunately, sometimes that looks explosive, like an incident where you punch your backup dancer on an airplane or you overdose from heroin.”(In 2010, Lovatopunched Alex Welch, a dancer onThe Jonas Brotherstour at the time. The incident prompted the pop star to go to rehab. Lovato suffered anear-fatal drug overdose in 2018and had three strokes and a heart attack in the hospital.)Demi Lovato at the ‘Child Star’ screening in Los Angeles on Sept. 12, 2024.Chad Salvador/Variety via Getty ImagesThe “Cool for the Summer” singer said that working on the documentary allowed her to have the opportunity to make amends for the way she behaved.“Talking to people who knew me at a different time in my life was challenging because I wanted to apologize for my behavior," Lovato said. “I wasn’t the nicest person to work with at times because I was struggling so much internally, and I was under a lot of pressure.“They added that having conversations withRaven-Symonéand Alyson Stoner inChild Starwas “really cathartic.““They were so lovely, so incredible, and so receptive, and I was so grateful for that,” Lovato said.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Demi Lovato in West Hollywood in June 2024.Rachpoot/Bauer-Griffin/GettyIn aninterview with PEOPLE, the “29” artist opened up about their decision to makeChild Star.“This was just a story that I had been wanting to tell for quite some time,” she said. “I’ve always thought about exploring the history of child stars, and also looking at different points of views and the perspective of what it’s like to be a child star in today’s day and age.“Lovato added that they have personally “been very, very honest in the past” and “demonstrated that vulnerability throughout my life.““I’ve shared a lot with people, and I’ve realized that my experiences don’t define me,” she said.Child Star, which was released on Tuesday, Sept. 17,features interviews from past and present stars likeDrew Barrymore,JoJo Siwa,Kenan Thompson,Raven-Symoné,Christina RicciandAlyson Stoneras they reflect on navigating fame from a young age.

Demi Lovatois putting it all out there.

In their new documentaryChild Star, which she co-directed with Nicola Marsh — the actor/musician (who uses she/they pronouns) reflected on the “explosive” moments that came from the negative impact of fame on her mental health.

“I didn’t realize that it would have such a negative impact on my mental health,” Lovato, 32, said of their experience with fame. “And unfortunately, sometimes that looks explosive, like an incident where you punch your backup dancer on an airplane or you overdose from heroin.”

(In 2010, Lovatopunched Alex Welch, a dancer onThe Jonas Brotherstour at the time. The incident prompted the pop star to go to rehab. Lovato suffered anear-fatal drug overdose in 2018and had three strokes and a heart attack in the hospital.)

Demi Lovato at the ‘Child Star’ screening in Los Angeles on Sept. 12, 2024.Chad Salvador/Variety via Getty Images

Chad Salvador/Variety via Getty Images

The “Cool for the Summer” singer said that working on the documentary allowed her to have the opportunity to make amends for the way she behaved.

“Talking to people who knew me at a different time in my life was challenging because I wanted to apologize for my behavior,” Lovato said. “I wasn’t the nicest person to work with at times because I was struggling so much internally, and I was under a lot of pressure.”

They added that having conversations withRaven-Symonéand Alyson Stoner inChild Starwas “really cathartic.”

“They were so lovely, so incredible, and so receptive, and I was so grateful for that,” Lovato said.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Demi Lovato in West Hollywood in June 2024.Rachpoot/Bauer-Griffin/Getty

Rachpoot/Bauer-Griffin/Getty

In aninterview with PEOPLE, the “29” artist opened up about their decision to makeChild Star.

“This was just a story that I had been wanting to tell for quite some time,” she said. “I’ve always thought about exploring the history of child stars, and also looking at different points of views and the perspective of what it’s like to be a child star in today’s day and age.”

Lovato added that they have personally “been very, very honest in the past” and “demonstrated that vulnerability throughout my life.”

“I’ve shared a lot with people, and I’ve realized that my experiences don’t define me,” she said.

Child Star, which was released on Tuesday, Sept. 17,features interviews from past and present stars likeDrew Barrymore,JoJo Siwa,Kenan Thompson,Raven-Symoné,Christina RicciandAlyson Stoneras they reflect on navigating fame from a young age.

source: people.com