Demi Lovato reveals heartbreaking reason she was at the center of a 'suicide petition'

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By Michelle H

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Demi Lovato is looking back on a difficult chapter from her childhood - including a so-called suicide petition that she was at the center of.

Demi Lovato in 2008Demi Lovato in 2008. Credit: Jean-Paul Aussenard / Getty

It's no secret that Demi has faced a series of personal challenges - during her years as a child star and beyond.

The 32-year-old started her career at a very young age, appearing on shows like Barney & Friends and later as a Disney Channel star in Camp Rock and Sonny with a Chance.

Alyson Stoner, Kevin Jonas, Joe Jonas, Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas arrive at the European TV premiere of 'Camp Rock' at The Royal Festival Hall on September 10, 2008 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)Demi Lovato and her Camp Rock co-stars. Credit: Gareth Cattermole / Getty

Growing up in the spotlight brought intense scrutiny, high expectations, and a lack of privacy, which took a toll on her mental and emotional well-being.

She was also severely bullied at school, which had a huge impact on her self-esteem.

The actress and singer has reflected on her early experiences in a new documentary.

In her directorial debut, Child Star, the former Disney star, along with other celebrities like Drew Barrymore, Raven-Symoné, and Saturday Night Live’s Kenan Thompson, share their experiences of growing up in the public eye.

Check out the trailer for Child Star:


In the documentary's trailer, released on September 5, Demi opens up about a heartbreaking incident she faced at school.

“The popular girls signed a suicide petition,” she revealed. “Saying that I should kill myself.”

The 'Heart Attack' singer discusses the challenges of growing up on camera with her fellow former child stars.

“There definitely is not a manual on how to navigate this industry at such a young age,” Demi says in the trailer, which was released on September 17, reflecting on her own mistakes.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 06: Demi Lovato attends The 2024 Met Gala Celebrating Credit: Dia Dipasupil / Getty

“I wouldn’t end up where I am had I not made all the choices leading up to this point. But, it came at a price.”

Elsewhere in the trailer, Demi and Drew talk about their struggles with drugs, with Demi asking Drew how old she was when she first tried “substances,” to which Drew responds, “10.”

This isn’t the first time the Sonny with a Chance alum has spoken about the challenges of growing up in the spotlight.

“I think I’d passed the threshold of what I could withstand emotionally and physically," Demi told The Hollywood Reporter last month. “I didn’t realize that child stardom could be traumatic—and it isn’t traumatic for everyone, but for me, it was.”

The Camp Rock alum, who is currently engaged to musician Jordan “Jutes” Lutes, has previously stated that she wouldn’t want her children to follow in her footsteps.

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 04: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Jordan Lutes and Demi Lovato attend the Pre-GRAMMY Gala & GRAMMY Salute to Industry Icons Honoring Julie Greenwald & Craig Kallman at The Beverly Hilton on February 04, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)Credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin / Getty

When asked how she would respond if her future children expressed interest in performing, she was firm. “I’d say, ‘Let’s study music theory and prepare you for the day you turn 18, because it’s not happening before that,’” she said.

“‘Not because I don’t believe in you or love you or want you to be happy, but because I want you to have a childhood, the childhood that I didn’t have.’”

Even now, Demi acknowledges she has regrets about her career choices.

“Sometimes I think it’s time for me to move on,” she said about her ongoing involvement in the entertainment industry. “But I’m in this weird position in my career because I still rely on music for my income.”

Featured image credit: Dia Dipasupil / Getty

Demi Lovato reveals heartbreaking reason she was at the center of a 'suicide petition'

vt-author-image

By Michelle H

Article saved!Article saved!

Demi Lovato is looking back on a difficult chapter from her childhood - including a so-called suicide petition that she was at the center of.

Demi Lovato in 2008Demi Lovato in 2008. Credit: Jean-Paul Aussenard / Getty

It's no secret that Demi has faced a series of personal challenges - during her years as a child star and beyond.

The 32-year-old started her career at a very young age, appearing on shows like Barney & Friends and later as a Disney Channel star in Camp Rock and Sonny with a Chance.

Alyson Stoner, Kevin Jonas, Joe Jonas, Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas arrive at the European TV premiere of 'Camp Rock' at The Royal Festival Hall on September 10, 2008 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)Demi Lovato and her Camp Rock co-stars. Credit: Gareth Cattermole / Getty

Growing up in the spotlight brought intense scrutiny, high expectations, and a lack of privacy, which took a toll on her mental and emotional well-being.

She was also severely bullied at school, which had a huge impact on her self-esteem.

The actress and singer has reflected on her early experiences in a new documentary.

In her directorial debut, Child Star, the former Disney star, along with other celebrities like Drew Barrymore, Raven-Symoné, and Saturday Night Live’s Kenan Thompson, share their experiences of growing up in the public eye.

Check out the trailer for Child Star:


In the documentary's trailer, released on September 5, Demi opens up about a heartbreaking incident she faced at school.

“The popular girls signed a suicide petition,” she revealed. “Saying that I should kill myself.”

The 'Heart Attack' singer discusses the challenges of growing up on camera with her fellow former child stars.

“There definitely is not a manual on how to navigate this industry at such a young age,” Demi says in the trailer, which was released on September 17, reflecting on her own mistakes.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 06: Demi Lovato attends The 2024 Met Gala Celebrating Credit: Dia Dipasupil / Getty

“I wouldn’t end up where I am had I not made all the choices leading up to this point. But, it came at a price.”

Elsewhere in the trailer, Demi and Drew talk about their struggles with drugs, with Demi asking Drew how old she was when she first tried “substances,” to which Drew responds, “10.”

This isn’t the first time the Sonny with a Chance alum has spoken about the challenges of growing up in the spotlight.

“I think I’d passed the threshold of what I could withstand emotionally and physically," Demi told The Hollywood Reporter last month. “I didn’t realize that child stardom could be traumatic—and it isn’t traumatic for everyone, but for me, it was.”

The Camp Rock alum, who is currently engaged to musician Jordan “Jutes” Lutes, has previously stated that she wouldn’t want her children to follow in her footsteps.

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 04: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Jordan Lutes and Demi Lovato attend the Pre-GRAMMY Gala & GRAMMY Salute to Industry Icons Honoring Julie Greenwald & Craig Kallman at The Beverly Hilton on February 04, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)Credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin / Getty

When asked how she would respond if her future children expressed interest in performing, she was firm. “I’d say, ‘Let’s study music theory and prepare you for the day you turn 18, because it’s not happening before that,’” she said.

“‘Not because I don’t believe in you or love you or want you to be happy, but because I want you to have a childhood, the childhood that I didn’t have.’”

Even now, Demi acknowledges she has regrets about her career choices.

“Sometimes I think it’s time for me to move on,” she said about her ongoing involvement in the entertainment industry. “But I’m in this weird position in my career because I still rely on music for my income.”

Featured image credit: Dia Dipasupil / Getty