Lovato Uses Personal Struggles to Inspire Fans

It only took moments after the news broke saying Demi Lovato was being hospitalized for a drug overdose for critics to jump on social media and condemn the singer. At the same time, well-wishers flooded the ‘net trying to drown out the trolls with their support of a young woman in crisis.

A few days after the hospitalization was revealed, it was announced that Lovato would be entering a rehab program to help get her off the drugs that nearly took her life. This will be the second time, this decade, Lovato went through a professional substance abuse program.

In her first message since the news broke, Lovato asked for privacy and said some of the information being reported was “incorrect.” She also asked that fans not speculate on her health and give her time to recover.

“You just have to take it one day at a time; some days are easier than others and some days you forget about drinking and using, but for me, I work on my physical health, which is important, but my mental health as well… I make sure I stay on my medications. I go to AA meetings. I do what I can physically in the gym. I make it a priority.”

This message resonated with fans, and, soon, a new hashtag was born. “HowDemiHelpedMe” flooded social media, with fans telling stories about how Lovato’s music helped them through their own issues in life. Among the references was the song “Sober,” which detailed Lovato’s own fall away from sobriety after several years of abstaining from drugs.

At the time, Lovato apologized to fans, saying she didn’t want them to “watch her fall” again and saying “I want to be a role model, but I’m only human… I promise I’ll get help.”

Fans continue to respond to the singer’s openness and honesty, sending outpourings of support, well-wishes, and continuing to add to the growing list of ways “Demi Has Helped”. It’s a strong display of the real connection between an entertainer and their fans, and a reminder of just how important the messages are that stars send out, both in their art and in their behavior. People want to believe, they want to aspire, and they are quick to forgive… especially when their heroes share their struggles.

This is a tough moment for Lovato, but the singer appears to be handling it with grace and with class. All of us wish her the best in her recovery, and we applaud the fans for keeping the message of hope and recovery going strong.

-5W PR CEO Ronn Torossian