Back in July, Demi Lovato's fans were devastated to hear that the singer had been rushed to hospital following a suspected drug overdose. Thankfully, the 26-year-old star survived, reportedly checking herself into a rehab facility shortly after in order to get sober again.
"I have always been transparent about my journey with addiction. What I've learned is that this illness is not something that disappears or fades with time. It is something I must continue to overcome and have not done yet," the Sorry Not Sorry songstress wrote in a statement.
However, rather than focusing on her recovery, some fans have been speculating about who exactly encouraged Demi to return to drug-taking. Allegedly, one person who was pinpointed was the singer's close friend and backup dancer Dani Vitale, who was accused of supplying Demi with drugs before her apparent overdose.
However, last week the backup dancer took to social media to fiercely deny these rumours, claiming that she does not do drugs and would never have supplied them to "anyone I love".
In an emotional post on Instagram, Dani began by describing her 28th birthday party. "After a fun, healthy night of laughter, dancing and enjoyed one another's company I went home, newly 28 and with the biggest smile and memories anyone could ever ask for," she stated.
The next morning, however, tragedy struck when Dani heard of her friend's alleged overdose and was consequently accused by the media of giving Demi drugs. "The next morning, I woke up to a call needing and wanting to be there for someone. In the midst of everything, my whole being was ridden with sadness, confusion, love and hopelessness," she wrote.
She continued: "While focusing completely and only on one human's survival in every aspect, I put myself aside as we all do for those we love that need us. During that time, the circulation of an UNTRUE story on the internet yanked my life, my reputation, my name and everything I have worked so hard to stand for, out from underneath me. A damaging narrative that demonized me, placed blame on me, and has since cost me so many wonderful moments in life."
The 28-year-old then went into the heartbreaking events that followed this accusation, claiming she did not leave the house for three weeks after and was "ridden with severe depression, fear, anxiety, sadness, anger, disgust, numbness and many more adjectives" over the allegations. In addition, she claimed she couldn't shower, eat sleep, keep food down or engage in anything outside of just staring saying 'why'".
"For the first time in my life, I was witnessing how disturbingly sick so many people are on the internet," she wrote. "...I have NEVER touched nor even SEEN a drug in my entire life. I DO NOT DO DRUGS, not would I ever encourage, or supply them to anyone I love...People that I thought loved me were no where to be found or heard from, companies stopped replying [to] emails and I was alone. [sic]"
Thankfully, following her struggle, Dani had her love of dance to fall back on, dedicating her first class in LA to Demi, and also insisting that the bullies didn't "win s**t". She finished her post by writing: "Our words have meaning and consequences... 'If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it at all.'"
Well said, Dani.
