Demi Lovato’s new documentary, Demi Lovato: Simply Complicated, doesn’t sugarcoat her past. In the YouTube documentary, which premiered on Tuesday, the 25-year-old singer opened up about her struggle with drug addiction, an eating disorder and an upsetting incident in 2010 that led her to check into rehab.
While on tour with the Jonas Brothers to promote their Disney Channel film, Camp Rock 2, Demi punched a backup dancer in the face, giving her a black eye. She admitted that during this time she was abusing substances daily, and the incident was a wakeup call that she needed to seek help. “I just came to a breaking point; the next 12 months were extremely difficult.”
Nick Jonas, a longtime friend of Demi’s, shed some light on the tension that came from Lovato’s relationship with Joe Jonas and how it affected Nick’s relationship with her. “While we were on tour Demi and Joe’s relationship had become really complicated so I was playing the bridge,” Nick said in the documentary. “It became really good you know between she and I for a while and growing closer than we’ve ever been. I remember thinking in my head I felt a bit of pride about it, like selfishly maybe I was helping her back to being the Demi we know and love. She’s not going to do anything crazy, she’ll be fine and then this episode happened.”
Both Demi and Nick have admitted that the incident put a strain on their relationship, but thankfully, they seem to be back on track. And Demi’s congratulations to Joe following his engagement this past weekend shows that they’re in a good place, too.
Selena Gomez has also been active in her support, commenting on Demi’s Instagram post about the documentary, “This was beautiful I’m so happy for you. You always continue to be bold and real. I wish more people were like you.” She followed up with another comment: “Love you.”
Demi is now five-and-a-half years sober, and she’s jumping back into the dating game after splitting from boyfriend of six years Wilmer Valderrama last year. She opened up about her sexuality in the film, saying, “I am on a dating app with both men and girls. I am open to human connection so whether that’s through a male or female, it doesn’t matter to me…” In a wildly relatable moment, she talked about her confusion surrounding first dates and mind games over texts.
She also vocalized her frustration over the double standard women face. “There’s a certain stigma around women having casual sex and for me, it’s my body, it’s my choice. It’s exciting. It’s a connection with somebody and it’s fun. When I’m comfortable in my own skin, I feel confident and when I feel confident, I feel sexy and when I feel sexy, watch out.” Preach it, girl.