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We have no problem admitting that we have a total gURL crush on Demi Lovato. Who doesn’t?! This gURL has shown some serious strength over the years. She started out as a wholesome Disney star, but we watched as she slowly fell apart during what seemed like the height of her fame. After entering rehab, Demi only came back stronger (not to mention more famous) and more beautiful than before.
Check out the rise and fall and uh, rise again of one of our fave stars ever, and tell us if you think Demi is a good role model for gURLs.
2008 - Camp Rock
Camp Rock marks Demi's 'big break'. She quickly became a household name after starring in the Disney movie with The Jonas Brothers/ Demi became known as another wholesome Disney gURL, just like Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez.2008 - Burnin Up Tour
With the huge success of Camp Rock, Demi was ready to start touring with her BFFs, The JoBros. She was their opening act, and it helped her gain even more popularity. At this point, it was obvious that Demi was super talented at both acting and singing.2008 - 'Don't Forget'
In September 2008, Demi released her first album, "Don't Forget". It peaked at spot number 2 on Billboard and has since sold over 500,000 records. The songs were all about being yourself as a teenage gURL, and were mostly co-written by The Jonas Brothers. So, ya know, kiddie stuff.2009 - Sonny With A Chance
In February 2009, the Disney original series Sonny With A Chance premiered on the Disney Channel. Demi was the star of the show, and it did really well with viewers. With a TV show, movie, tour and CD under her belt, Demi was officially a Disney gURL star.2009 - Princess Protection Program
At this point, it was no secret that Demi and Selena Gomez were best friends. They gained a reputation as the cute, wholesome and innocent Disney gURLs, while Miley Cyrus started growing up and acting more mature. The two starred in the Disney Channel Original Movie Princess Protection Program. Even though the movie was only shown on TV, the premiere got 8.5 million viewers.2009 - 'Here We Go Again'
Later that summer, barely a year after her first album, Demi's second CD "Here We Go Again" was released. This time, it debuted at the top of the Billboard charts and sold 108,000 copies in the first week. Unlike with the last album, Demi was the one who was co-writing the majority of the songs.2010 - Guest Appearance on Grey's Anatomy
It really seemed like Demi had reached super-stardom at only 17-years-old when she did something outside of the Disney world. She guest starred on an episode of Grey's Anatomy in 2010, where she played a gURL with some serious mental and physical problems.2010 - Dating Joe Jonas
As Demi was getting more and more famous, her love life was also heating (or shall we say burning?) up. In 2010, she confirmed that she and Joe Jonas were dating. The two made an adorable Disney couple and they were spotted everywhere together.2010 - Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam
In September 2010, Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam premiered on The Disney Channel to 8 million viewers. It was obvious that Demi was growing up, but no one predicted that her life was going to spin out of control shortly. After the premiere of the movie, she once again went on tour with The JoBros.2010 - The Jonas Brothers Tour
It seemed like everything fell apart for Demi during her summer tour with The Jonas Brothers. In the middle of it, it was suddenly announced to shocked fans and tabloids everywhere that Demi was leaving to enter rehab. Everyone was confused as to what had gone wrong.
Eventually the reason came out -- Demi apparently punched backup dancer Alex Welch in the face during the tour. Her reason? Alex was spreading rumors about her behind her back. Demi admitted that she behaved the wrong way, but soon after, pictures were released of Alex with a black eye, and the media attention on Demi turned totally negative.
2010 - Rumors
There were tons of rumors about why Demi was going to rehab, and they involved pretty much everything -- drugs, alcohol abuse, suicide attempt, eating disorders. Demi had been acting more out of control than usual, and everyone thought she was just another typical Disney star going down the wrong path.2010 - Entering Rehab
Demi checked herself into rehab, and her supportive fans (and us, too!) were really proud of her for admitting she needed help and actually getting help.
It was revealed that Demi was going to rehab because she was suffering from eating disorders and depression. Her rep said, "She was bullied in school. She fought through eating disorders and has struggled with cutting. ... Demi is taking control by getting help."
2011 - Leaving Rehab
Demi completed rehab in January 2011. In the photos, she looked and seemed happy, but she laid low for a few months, concentrating on getting completely better and spending time with her friends and family. Despite any negative media attention she got, Demi still had tons of supportive fans who missed her.2011 - 20/20 Interview
In April 2011, Demi gave her first post-rehab interview on the show 20/20. Instead of trying to act like her problems didn't exist and everything was fine, Demi talked openly about her issues and was totally honest. She admitted to being bulimic and cutting herself. She also said that she had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder while she was in rehab.
One thing Demi also talked about was how she was bullied when she was growing up. A lot of gURLs felt like they could instantly relate to her. Demi said: "I’ve spoken openly about being bullied throughout the past few years, but one thing that I’ve never been able to feel comfortable talking about was the effects that it had on my life, afterwards. I literally didn’t know why they were being so mean to me. And when I would ask them why, they would just say, ‘Well, you’re fat.’ I developed an eating disorder, and that’s kind of what I’ve been dealing with ever since.".
2011 - Leaving Sonny With A Chance
It was announced that Demi wouldn't be returning to Sonny With A Chance or the Disney Channel. She said she needed time to focus on herself and get healthy, and that she wouldn't feel comfortable in front of a camera.2011 - Weight Gain
Like most people after rehab, Demi came back with a few extra pounds on her bod. And while most people were just proud of her for conquering her eating disorder and looking and acting healthy, others still had negative things to say. Demi got burned for her weight gain, and had to deal with the media saying really nasty things.
The great thing about Demi is that she didn't let it affect her. Instead, she took a picture of herself in a tiny bikini and showed it off on her Twitter. Demi quickly became seen as a role model for gURLs dealing with bullying, eating disorders, cutting and depression.
2011 - Teen Choice Awards
Demi's never been more popular than she is now, and you could see that at the 2011 Teen Choice Awards. She won the Acuvue Inspire Award, and she looked amazing on the red carpet with her best friend, Selena Gomez.2011 - Do Something Awards
Demi really took the spotlight at the Do Something awards, where she performed her first single off of her new album, "Skyscraper".2011 - ALMA Awards Show
She also performed at the American Latino Media Arts Awards, and she won the awards Favorite TV Actress-Leading Role in a Comedy and Favorite Summer Song.2011 - MTV VMA's
Even though she looked amazing at the MTV VMA's, Demi still had to deal with negative backlash. After hearing critics say that she looked too fat in her dress at the show, Demi fired back at her haters. She gained even more fans with her confidence and attitude that she wasn't going to deal with bullies anymore.2011 - 'Unbroken
Just this week, Demi released her third studio album called "Unbroken". The music is more R&B/pop and is different from her other albums. It's a little more mature, and while some of the songs are about her struggle with herself, some of them are total party songs.2011 - Firing Back
It's been almost a year since Demi entered rehab, and she's only been getting better and better. Demi doesn't let anyone say anything nasty about her without firing back with a response, and we love that about her.She's also become a huge role model for gURLs everywhere dealing with the same things as her. She is always completely honest about her struggles. She has opened up about her eating disorder, her cutting issue, and being bipolar. We love that Demi is so honest, and we can't wait to see what she does next.
Demi is the best role model i can think of. She truly is a great person and singer.
I love Demi. She is a true role model. I can really relate to her music and her situations. That’s what I appreciate most about her.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK DEMI!!!!!
Demi is amazing and so strong, she’s a great role model
I just wished they had included the friendship on the fast lane and then the mess of falling apart Demi and Selena had (including the “ask taylor”)
Love Demi and completely support her, her strength gives me courage and hope