THIS IS ME

From pop princess to powerhouse, she's not just revisiting her past - she's revamping it

- CHARNDRÉ EMMA KIPPIE

I remember the very first time I connected with a Demi Lovato song. Watching Camp Rock (2008), I broke out in song as quirky Mitchie belted out the lyrics, “I’m exactly where I'm supposed to be now / Gonna let the light shine on me.” It was a whole vibe; the Disney era I'll never forget. And just like me, so many other rebellious, misunderstood teens around the globe have resonated with Demi ever since.

She has never been one to play by the rules - not in music, not in fashion, and certainly not in life. As a bright-eyed child star, she quickly rose to fame in the early 2000s and her journey has been anything but linear. Behind the red carpets and platinum records lies a story of resilience: a battle with identity, mental health and the pressure of growing up under an unforgiving spotlight.

Now, with a bold new sound, a fearless sense of style and a mission rooted in advocacy, Demi is not just reclaiming her narrative - she’s redefining what it means to be a modern icon.

BEAUTIFULLY FLAWED

She introduced herself to the world with a dazzling smile on Barney & Friends (2002, age 10), and soon became one of Disney’s biggest stars through projects like Princess Protection Program and the TV series Sonny With a Chance. But behind the bubbly façade was a girl navigating fame, addiction and a deep identity struggle.

“I was filled with gratitude, and there was this sense of wonder and excitement. It was very much the honeymoon phase of my career, right before the train got moving in a way where I couldn't pump the brakes,” she told The Hollywood Reporter. “At Disney, you became this instant role model, whether you liked it or not... And because the Disney Channel was so big at the time, there was also this unspoken pressure that if you did make a mistake, you knew that there were thousands of people just waiting to take your spot.”