On March 15, Demi Lovato celebrated her sixth year sober. The day after the former Disney Channel star took the stage at the Barclays Center for her Tell Me You Love Me tour where she gave a heartwarming speech about her sobriety.
In fan captured video, a tearful Lovato addressed to the audience by sharing her experience with substance abuse. “Yesterday was a really big day for me,” the singer said, adding, “Yesterday, six years ago, I was drinking vodka out of a Sprite bottle at nine in the morning, throwing up in the car and I just remember thinking, ‘This is no longer cute. This is no longer fun. And I’m just like my dad.'”
The Mexican-American beauty explained that she continues to advocate and reduce the stigma of mental health issues because she wants to use her platform to impact others. “I made changes in my life and the reason why I became so open about my story is because I know that there are people here tonight that need to ask for help and I want you to know that’s okay. Mental health is something that we don’t ever talk about and we need to take the stigma away. So let’s raise the awareness. Let’s let everybody know it’s okay to have a mental illness.”
“I can never say thank you enough to you guys for the support that you’ve given me over the years,” a grateful Lovato said. “And you’ve forgiven me for my mistakes. So thank you for being a part of saving my life. I love you guys.”
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Before delivering the inspiring word, her tourmates DJ Khaled and Kehlani joined the 25-year-old on stage to commemorate this special day. “What you’ve overcome through trials and tribulations, through dark clouds, you found the sunshine, and now the sun is shining on you forever,” the “All I Do Is Win” singer said. “And every night you come light up the stage and you represent your fans, and that’s so amazing.”
The New Orleans native then led the crowd to sing “Happy Birthday” to celebrate her sobriety anniversary.
“You give me hope and strength and pride, and every bit of myself that I am — the good side, the bad side, the funny side, the quirky side. You are 100 percent yourself, and that is so rare in this world and this industry,” Kehlani shared. “I’m so, so, so, so proud of you, and honored to know you.”
