Demi Lovato: Stay Strong | |
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Genre | Documentary |
Directed by | Davi Russo [1] |
Starring | Demi Lovato |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
Production | |
Producers |
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Running time | 42 minutes |
Original release | |
Network | MTV |
Release | March 6, 2012 |
Demi Lovato: Stay Strong is a 2012 documentary film about American singer Demi Lovato which follows her recovery after leaving rehab and her return to the music industry after abruptly cancelling her tour with the Jonas Brothers, putting her career on a hiatus in order to seek treatment. It premiered on March 6, 2012 on MTV. [1] The documentary depicts her reflecting on her road to recovery, addressing several of her emotional and physical issues, celebrating Thanksgiving with her family in 2011 and returning for the first time to the treatment facility she retreated to back in 2010. [3]
Several years later in her YouTube documentary about her life and career, Demi Lovato: Simply Complicated (2017), Lovato admitted to being dishonest about the outcome of her initial treatment in Demi Lovato: Stay Strong, and also revealed that she was in fact under the influence of cocaine while being interviewed about her sobriety for the documentary film. [4] [5] [6] [7]
Lovato had suffered from depression, an eating disorder, self-harm and being bullied before she went into rehab at the age of 18. [8] [9] On November 1, 2010, she left the Jonas Brothers: Live in Concert, entering a treatment facility for "physical and emotional issues." [10] She decided to enter treatment after punching female dancer Alex Welch; her management and family confronted her in a formal intervention after this incident to convince her she needed help. Lovato agreed to seek help and took "full responsibility" for the incident. [8]
On January 28, 2011, Lovato completed inpatient treatment at Timberline Knolls and returned home. She acknowledged that she had suffered from anorexia and bulimia, had harmed themself, and had been "self-medicating" with drugs and alcohol "like a lot of teens do to numb their pain." [11] In addition, Lovato said that she "basically had a nervous breakdown" and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder during her treatment. [12] [a] Lovato later added that she had used cocaine several times a day and smuggled cocaine onto airplanes. [15] After finishing her treatment, Lovato returned to work on her third album in February 2011. [16] In April 2011, Lovato announced she was leaving Sonny with a Chance , where she portrayed the main character Sonny Munroe, because she wanted to focus on her music career rather than acting. [17]
Lovato's third album, Unbroken, was released on September 20, 2011 and was met with mixed to positive reviews from music critics. It debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 and was eventually certified Gold. [18] The R&B-infused album was preceded by Lovato's critically acclaimed top ten single "Skyscraper" and spawned the triple-platinum certified hit single "Give Your Heart a Break." On February 21, 2012, Lovato announced on Twitter that a television special she had worked on with MTV would premiere on March 6, 2012, while she also revealed its title #StayStrong and the promotional poster for the documentary, showing Lovato's "Stay Strong" wrist tattoos as well as her scars. [19] An official trailer was released by MTV on the same day. [20]
"I don't think I'm fixed. People think that you're like a car in a body shop. You go in, they fix you, and you're out. ... It takes constant fixing."
— Lovato describing her path to recovery. [21]
Demi Lovato: Stay Strong commences with fans shouting Lovato's first name while waiting for her to arrive at the Fox Theatre in Detroit where she is about to perform on November 16, 2011. [3] The tour date marks the opening night of the Unbroken Tour and her first tour date since the sold-out An Evening with Demi Lovato two-date promotional tour that took place in September 2011. [22] Lovato starts reflecting on the rough road that led her to self-harm and addiction, while scenes of Lovato getting ready for her performance in the dressing room are interwoven featuring a short cameo appearance from her former manager Phil McIntyre. [3] She says she "had so many issues underneath that needed to be taken care of" and that "it literally ended up driving [her] insane." Shortly after, Lovato's home in Los Angeles is shown where she is seen hugging her mother Dianna De La Garza, while Lovato's half-sister Madison De La Garza is also featured. [3]
As soon as Lovato's makeup and hair are done, she is ready to go on stage and a huge audience is seen cheering for her. [3] Lovato confesses, "I cannot tell you that I have not thrown up since treatment. I cannot tell you I've not cut myself since treatment. I'm not perfect. This is a daily battle that I will face for the rest of my life." [23] She is then seen performing the track "All Night Long." Lovato reveals that her new, bigger purpose in life is to "inspire people," and "get people through their days and their problems." [23] Some interviewed fans express what they think about Lovato's recovery and how she is an inspiration to them, while praising her strength. [23]
The cameras follow Lovato to her childhood home, where she spends her first Thanksgiving out of treatment and explains how her eating disorder had developed. "This year I am definitely not taking any holiday for granted," she says about spending Thanksgiving with her family. [24] After Thanksgiving, Lovato keeps thinking about what she ate on the holiday, cries about it and feels uncomfortable before going on stage. [25] She feels sick but still decides to perform. A small part of her performance of the song "Fix a Heart" is shown, as well as Lovato taking pictures with fans at her meet-and-greet. [25]
One of her fans, a young girl named Sanah Jivani with Alopecia, tells Lovato that she inspired her to go to the meet-and-greet without her wig. [25] [26] Sitting in front of the piano on stage, Lovato expresses how thankful she is to be there, "because not long ago I was in a treatment facility" and she "was so scared and was so alone but I had you guys [the fans] by my side." She mentions the "beautiful, beautiful girl that I met," tells the audience why the girl went to the concert without her wig, and states, "That's why I continue to do this [performing] every single day of my life no matter how hard it gets." [25] The singer adds, "It's the people sitting in this audience and the strength that you guys possess, so just keep inspiring people 'cause you're inspiring me to stay so strong til this day. So, thank you," and starts singing her song "Together" while letting the special girl join her on stage to perform a duet. Sanah Jivani, the young girl who performed the duet with Lovato is the founder and CEO of a non-profit called The Love Your Natural Self Foundation and draws much of her inspiration for her organization from this moment. This was a meaningful moment for both Lovato and the fan. [25]
The singer revisits Timberline Knolls, the treatment facility in Lemont, Illinois she entered back in 2010, for the first time since she was released in mid-January 2011. [27] Lovato recalls on her way to Timberline Knolls, "The first time that I walked into Timberline Knolls, I sat there to eat my first meal, and it was chicken, rice, vegetables, and milk, and I took like two or three bites of the chicken and was like 'OK, I'm done,'" adding, "That's when I realized maybe I do belong here because I can't finish a meal." [27] She confesses about the room she stayed in during her treatment, "I got so completely vulnerable and so raw, when I even step into this room I feel naked." Showing her wrist tattoos, she reveals how meaningful they are to her and she did not get them just to cover up the scars she had, but also because her fans kept encouraging her to stay strong while in rehab. [27]
"I wish that every single person here could just live in freedom," Lovato tells the patients at Timberline Knolls while delivering a speech. [28] It was at Timberline Knolls where she was first diagnosed with bipolar disorder. [12] She admits that she didn't realize that she was ill before her treatment and used to assume that "writing seven songs in one night was normal." Bringing her guitarist and friend Mike Manning with her, Lovato gives an intimate acoustic performance of her empowering hit song "Skyscraper" after her speech and gets emotional, saying "Utilize your time here, 'cause this place will change your life, 'cause it changed mine." [28]
Lovato opens up about how she realized that she could use her experience in the treatment center "for the better." [28] Instead of keeping her struggles and demons to herself, she decided to share her story with the world "because some people need to hear it." She wanted to inspire others with her story and prove that no matter what people are going through at the moment, they will get through it. The acoustic "Skyscraper" rendition at Timberline Knolls flows into a piano-driven performance of the song at a concert venue and Lovato is seen going into the crowd. [28] The singer and her crew dance to "B.M.F." by Rick Ross in their tour bus after the concert while she acknowledges that "recovery doesn't have a day off." [2]
On the morning of March 6, 2012, Lovato made an appearance on The Today Show to promote the documentary which would premiere on MTV that night. She performed her single "Give Your Heart a Break." [29] "I've decided to tell my story because there are a lot of young teens, girls and boys, that are dealing with the same issues that I've been through. If I'm able to use my voice to do good in the world then I definitely want to do that," she told Today anchor Ann Curry. [30]
After the documentary film was premiered, Lovato immediately appeared on Demi Lovato: Stay Strong — The After Show in order to react to her documentary and do a special question-and-answer session. The show, hosted by MTV's SuChin Pak, was broadcast live from the MTV Studios in Times Square. [31] Fans could participate in the conversation on Twitter by tweeting the hashtag #StayStrong and ask Lovato questions by using the hashtag #AskDemi. "It feels really awesome. Doing the documentary was so interesting," she shared when talking about how she felt after releasing the documentary. [31] She added, "I felt really vulnerable, and I still kind of do tonight. I wouldn't change it. I'm doing awesome right now. I'm living a really healthy lifestyle. It's not easy. I struggle. But each day gets easier." Lovato announced during the post-show that she would have an upcoming appearance in Punk'd . [31]
The after show also featured some unaired extra footage. [32] In the extra footage the singer explains every story behind her tattoos, including the reason why she got the signature heart from the Here We Go Again cover art tattooed on her wrist. She states that she sees it as a unique connection with her fans who "would draw it on their wrists every day" until she left treatment. [33] Several fans featured in cameos raise their voices praising Lovato for being an anti-bullying advocate. Lovato says that people can make a difference by speaking up when she experiences or witnesses bullying and admits that she was bullied herself, but expresses that she does not care about what haters think about her. [34]
Jordan Pruitt Fuente is an American former singer-songwriter living in Nashville, Tennessee. She has released two albums. Her debut single "Outside Looking In" charted on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 77.
Demetria Devonne "Demi" Lovato is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. After appearing on the children's television series Barney & Friends (2002–2004), she starred in the Disney Channel short series As the Bell Rings (2007–2008). Lovato rose to prominence for playing Mitchie Torres in the musical television film Camp Rock (2008) and its sequel Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam (2010). The former film's soundtrack contained "This Is Me", her debut single and duet, which peaked at number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Don't Forget is the debut studio album by American singer Demi Lovato. It was released on September 23, 2008, by Hollywood Records. She started working on the album in September 2007, while filming the Disney Channel original movie Camp Rock. Lovato co-wrote most of the songs with the Jonas Brothers, who produced the album along with John Fields. Other songwriters include Kara DioGuardi, Jason Reeves and Rooney frontman Robert Schwartzman. Don't Forget features primarily a power pop and rock sound, with the lyrical content addressing adolescent topics including heartbreak and independence.
"Don't Forget" is a song by American singer Demi Lovato, from her debut album of the same name. It was written by Lovato and the Jonas Brothers, who co-produced the song with John Fields. It was released as the album's third and final single on March 17, 2009, through Hollywood Records. The inspiration of the song came from Lovato falling in love with someone who later left her. According to Lovato, it is one of the songs on the album that she most relates to. Musically, "Don't Forget" is a midtempo glam rock ballad that features Lovato singing with breathy falsetto vocals. An accompanying music video was released on March 20, 2009. In 2023, the song was re-recorded for her first remix album Revamped.
Here We Go Again is the second studio album by American singer Demi Lovato. It was released on July 21, 2009, through Hollywood Records. Unlike her previous album, Don't Forget (2008), Lovato did not collaborate with the Jonas Brothers, as she wanted to work with different people and give the album a personal approach. Lovato collaborated for the album with established songwriters and producers, such as E. Kidd Bogart, Gary Clark, Toby Gad, John Mayer, Jon McLaughlin, Lindy Robbins and John Fields.
"Remember December" is a song by American singer Demi Lovato for her second studio album, Here We Go Again. It was written by John Fields, Lovato and Anne Preven, and produced by Fields. The song was released in Europe as the album's second and final single on January 18, 2010 through Hollywood Records. "Remember December" adapts power pop and synth-pop genres and diverges from Lovato's usual pop rock sound. The lyrics describe the speaker's attempt to remind her boyfriend of the good times of their relationship. Lovato described the song's sound as an example of what she wanted her future music to sound like.
"Skyscraper" is a song recorded by American singer Demi Lovato for her third studio album, Unbroken (2011). It was released by Hollywood Records on July 12, 2011, as the lead single from the album. The song was written by Toby Gad, Lindy Robbins, and Kerli; the former handled its production. American singer Jordin Sparks provided background vocals for the track. It was inspired by a picture of the apocalypse, in which the world was in ruins and, among collapsed buildings, one skyscraper was standing.
Unbroken is the third studio album by American singer Demi Lovato. It was released on September 20, 2011, by Hollywood Records. Primarily a pop record, Lovato described the album as "more mature" and with more R&B elements than her previous material, citing Rihanna as the major influence. While some of the album's lyrical content was heavily influenced by Lovato's personal struggles, it also deals with lighter subjects, such as love and self empowerment. Contributions to the album's production came from a wide range of producers, including Toby Gad, Ryan Tedder, Timbaland, Jim Beanz and Rock Mafia.
"Give Your Heart a Break" is a song recorded by American singer Demi Lovato for her third studio album Unbroken (2011). It was released on January 23, 2012, by Hollywood Records, as the second and final single from the album. The song was written and produced by Josh Alexander and Billy Steinberg. "Give Your Heart a Break" incorporates drums, violin and strings. The latter two, according to music critics, are reminiscent of those used in Coldplay's "Viva la Vida". Lyrically, the song chronicles the protagonist's attempt to win over her lover who has been hurt in a previous relationship and is fearful of committing again. In 2023, the song was re-recorded for her rock-compilation Revamped with Bert McCracken from the rock band The Used.
"Heart Attack" is a song recorded by American singer Demi Lovato. It was released on February 25, 2013, as the lead single from her fourth studio album, Demi (2013). The song was produced by Mitch Allan and Jason Evigan of The Suspex, who co-wrote the song along with Lovato, Sean Douglas, Nikki Williams, and Aaron Phillips. "Heart Attack" is an electropop song that employs cardiac motifs to represent the fear of falling in love. It received acclaim from music critics, many of whom complimented its lyrics and Lovato's vocals.
Demi is the fourth studio album by American singer Demi Lovato. It was released on May 10, 2013, by Hollywood Records. Looking to transition from her self-described "generic" third album Unbroken (2011), Lovato wanted her fourth album to "have songs that excited her". Demi is primarily a pop record with elements of synth-pop, and bubblegum pop.
The Neon Lights Tour was the third headlining concert tour by American singer Demi Lovato, in support of her fourth studio album, Demi (2013). The first leg of tour began in North America on February 9, 2014 at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia and ended on March 30, 2014 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. The tour's second leg took place in both South America and Mexico. It started on April 22, 2014 at the Citibank Hall in São Paulo, Brazil and ended on May 17, 2014 at Arena Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico.
"Nightingale" is a song by American singer Demi Lovato from her fourth studio album Demi (2013). The song was written by Lovato, Anne Preven, Matt Rad, and Felicia Barton, while production was helmed by Rad and Preven served as a vocal producer.
"Waitin for You" is a song recorded by American singer Demi Lovato featuring rapper Sirah. The duo along with Julia Michaels, Jason Evigan and Steve Mac composed the song for Lovato's fifth studio album Confident (2015). Evigan and Mac also handled the song's production, with Mitch Allan serving as a vocal producer.
"Fix a Heart" is a song by American singer Demi Lovato, from her third studio album, Unbroken (2011). Priscilla Renea co-wrote the track with producer Emanuel Kiriakou. It is a pop piano ballad that Lovato and some critics described as a break-up song, while other authors noted references in the lyrics about the singer's issues with self-harm.
Demi Lovato: Simply Complicated is a 2017 documentary film about the life and career of American singer, songwriter, and actor Demi Lovato, released on YouTube on October 17, 2017 in support of her sixth studio album Tell Me You Love Me. A director's cut of the documentary including 10 minutes of additional footage was later released on YouTube Premium in December 2017.
American singer and actor Demi Lovato has released two video albums and appeared in various music videos, films, and television shows. From her debut album Don't Forget (2008), she released music videos for its eponymous single as well as "Get Back" and "La La Land". Lovato released her second album Here We Go Again in 2009, producing music videos for the eponymous single and "Remember December". Her third studio album Unbroken (2011) spawned music videos for "Skyscraper", which won Best Video with a Message at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards, and "Give Your Heart a Break". She then released her fourth studio album Demi (2013), which was accompanied by music videos for "Heart Attack", which was nominated for Best Female Video at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards, "Made in the USA", "Neon Lights", and "Really Don't Care".