Addiction is a disease and recovering from it is already a difficult process, let alone doing so in the public eye with millions of people tracking and monitoring your progress. Demi Lovato, who had been completely sober for six years, relapsed into using drugs and alcohol again in March. The singer released a new single, called “Sober,” to provide her fans with a confession and explanation surrounding her relapse. On June 24, three days after its surprise release, she tearfully performed the song at the Rock in Rio Festival in Lisbon, Portugal.
“Demi felt terrible about herself and was really depressed,” a source told Us Weekly.
“She honestly felt like she let her fans down and that she owed them the truth,” another insider added.
Demi had been candid about her struggles with addiction—which began during her Disney Channel days—in her 2017 documentary Simply Complicated, which followed her journey to sobriety. The first source said that she is working to get healthy again: “She’s going to meetings again, going to the gym and taking care of herself.”
After her first performance of “Sober,” Demi tweeted a message of thanks to her fans for supporting her during this difficult time.
Tonight I took the stage, a new person with a new life. Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout this journey. It will never be forgotten ❤️ @rockinriolisboa pic.twitter.com/cv51ssaqu4
— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) June 24, 2018
Demi has always been very transparent with her fans during her struggle, acting as a role model for those facing addiction and mental health issues. But in addition to being a public personality, she’s also a person with flaws and who is equally susceptible to issues. We owe others (not just celebrities) our sympathy and respect when they struggle with relapsing.
Stay strong, Demi.
To my fans, my family, and my supporters, the ones who never left me, you are my light. I am forever grateful ?? pic.twitter.com/0BVzp5wP8p
— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) June 27, 2018