Demi Lovato Reflects On Her ‘Challenging’ Teen Years On Disney

Singer and actress Demi Lovato is opening up about her teen years on the Disney Channel, sharing insights into the friendships she made, personal struggles she went through, and the pressures of fame she felt while growing up in the spotlight.

Lovato rose to fame through Disney Channel and became one of the network’s stars with shows and movies that included “Camp Rock” and “Camp Rock 2,” “Princess Protection Program,” and “Sonny with a Chance.” She was just 15 years old when she rose to stardom and, admittedly, Lovato said it was a “challenging” experience.

As she said in the podcast “Baby, This Is Keke Palmer,” she was friends with fellow Disney star Selena Gomez before her entry into the network, which was an advantage because of their “built-in friendship.”

However, she had insecurities that made her compare herself to her peers. At that time, Gomez and Miley Cyrus were big Disney stars as well. Fortunately, her mother was there to guide her, telling her, “There’s room for everyone. It’s not a competition.” With the advice, she was able to navigate her growing popularity.

“That’s what I really stuck by… I was always rooting for everybody,” Lovato told Palmer.

According to Lovato, she had good and bad memories from her time at Disney. While she’s appreciative that the network paved the way for her career, she also faced difficulty behind the scenes. “There’s so many emotions that come to mind when I think about that period of time in my life,” the singer said.

Per the actress, she struggled with an eating disorder at that time. “I struggled with my mental health very much so, but ultimately, like, very fond memories. I made friends that I will have for the rest of my life,” she shared.

Lovato opened up about her eating disorder in 2011, saying that she overate when she was younger and developed an eating disorder in her teen years. “I’ve had a really unhealthy relationship with food,” she said back then.

At 33 years old, Lovato is looking back at her teen years, saying she has so much compassion for her younger self. The singer said they were expected to meet such high expectations despite their young age. “I think I was so hard on myself at that time that I wish I’d had more grace for myself,” she noted.

Admittedly, said she wasn’t the best person to work with at that time due to feeling “miserable” in her own skin. As a result, she acted “bratty” on set. After a “breakdown,” the singer attended a 12-step program and consequently made amends with the people she affected.

“I was being really reflective of everything and, like, I wanted to make sure I wanted to right my wrongs,” she explained.

Shortly after seeking treatment for her physical and mental health, Lovato decided to step away from Disney in 2011. She released a statement saying that returning in front of the camera wouldn’t be ideal for her recovery, adding, “It made sense for me to go ahead and leave the show to focus on my music.”

At that time, Lovato starred in “Sonny with a Chance,” and following her departure, the network rebranded the show into a sketch-comedy series titled “So Random!”

 The Disney Channel supported Lovato’s decision, saying, “She is a talented young woman and our hearts are with her as she continues to take action to improve her health and bounce back from adversity.”

Since leaving the Disney Channel, Lovato has appeared in various film and TV roles, including a guest appearance on “Glee” and “Will & Grace,” as well as lending her voice to Smurfette in the 2017 animated movie “Smurfs: The Lost Village.”

For the most part, the singer has focused on her music, having released nine studio albums, the latest being “It’s Not That Deep,” which was released in 2025.

Lovato is now gearing up for her upcoming tour, which is scheduled to kick off on April 13.