Illustration by Lusco y Fusco
Demi Lovato doesn’t flinch. She speaks her mind and is more articulate than most pop stars. Ask her about her bipolar disorder, addiction, or self-harming and she is perfectly comfortable explaining the tiniest of details.
Lovato performed at Sunday’s March for Our Lives rally in Washington, D.C, along with such artists as Common, Jennifer Hudson, Miley Cyrus, and Ariana Grande.
Lovato is an open book and, like myself, recently celebrated six years of sobriety. To commemorate the occasion, tourmate DJ Khaled shared a special tribute to the tough-as-nails pop star.
“Every time I see you I say, ‘Man, this is a strong queen,’” he said onstage at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. “What you’ve overcome through trials and tribulations, through dark clouds, you found the sunshine, and now the sun is shining on you forever,” Khaled said, rendering Lovato to tears. “You inspire me.”
The crowd began to chant “Demi! Demi!” Back onstage, she had the following to say: “Six years ago, I was drinking vodka out of a Sprite bottle at nine in the morning, throwing up in the car,” Lovato said. “So, I took a look at my life and I said, ‘Something has to change, I’ve got to get sober.’ So, I did.”
“Thank you for being a part of saving my life. I love you guys,” she added before singing the song “Warrior,” whose lyrics are appropriate for Lovato’s state of mind:
I wear like a battle wound
So ashamed, so confused
I was broken and bruised…
‘Cause now I’m a warrior
Now I’ve got thicker skin
I’m a warrior
I’m stronger than I’ve ever been
The crowd sang “Happy Birthday” to Lovato to commemorate her six years.
Happy sober anniversary, Demi. I feel like a warrior too.
