Why Demi Lovato Spoke Publicly About Her Time in Rehab

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Demi Lovato is confident in her decision to speak out about her mental health.

The 33-year-old recalled her time in rehab back in 2010, explaining why it’s crucial for her to talk openly about her bipolar disorder diagnosis and her recovery from bulimia.

Demi shared on the October 22nd episode of the Las Culturistas podcast that she faced a crucial decision when she first sought treatment. She explained that a highly publicized incident when she was 18 – which she’s discussed in her documentaries – led to this point, as she told hosts Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang.

The former Disney Channel star, who unexpectedly stopped touring with the Jonas Brothers after an altercation with a dancer, shared that she was allowed to decide how much information she shared with the public.

My manager asked if I wanted to share what I was experiencing, or keep it private. They emphasized that it was entirely my choice, and I wasn’t obligated to tell anyone about it.

Demi began openly discussing her experiences with bulimia, which led her to share her broader personal challenges. She hoped that by doing so, she could support others facing similar difficulties.

The singer, known for her song “Confident,” explained she felt a duty to speak out because she wished she’d had someone to look up to when she was younger. While some actresses had discussed their struggles with eating disorders, there wasn’t anyone she could relate to as a 13-year-old, particularly when societal beauty standards were so harmful.

And that’s extended to her being candid about her battles with drug and alcohol addictions.

That moment was really the turning point for me. It’s why I’ve been so open about my difficulties. When I made that decision, it shaped the rest of my life, and I realized I wanted to help others by sharing what I’ve gone through personally – it’s the most effective way I know how.

Read on to hear from other celebs who have spoken out about their mental health…

The former star of Gossip Girl recently shared his struggles with body image, describing them as a form of “body dysmorphia” he experienced as a child actor.

As a lifestyle expert, I often hear people express dissatisfaction with their bodies, and I truly understand that struggle. Recently, I was reading an interview with Penn, and they shared something that really resonated with me. They admitted to a deep dislike for their body and a longing to simply have a different one. It’s a raw and honest statement, and it highlights how powerfully our body image can impact our overall well-being.

Okay, so he talked about gaining weight after his parents split, and honestly, it broke my heart. He basically said there was this time when he was crawling out of a really dark place, and he felt like, suddenly, how I looked – how ‘conventionally beautiful’ people thought he was – directly equaled his worth and how successful he’d be. It was like he was both throwing himself into trying to fit that mold and being pushed into it by everyone around him. It just… it makes so much sense, and it’s so sad to hear him put it that way.

Despite the mental struggles, though, Penn credited his ability to persist to his spirituality.

He explained that overcoming his disappointment and personal struggles enabled him to return to things with a sense of personal growth and change.

The Scrubs alum has been vocal about her past difficult relationship with food.

She described her struggles with food, stating on The Funny Thing Is podcast, “Some people might label it an eating disorder, but it’s just how I lived my life.” She admitted that food was her main coping mechanism, and she engaged in extreme behaviors because of it.

She added, “I would over-exercise, and there was a sprinkle of bulimia in there.”

Despite admitting she finds it hard to stick to a diet, she’s also been open about the positive steps she’s making towards a healthier lifestyle.

In 2017, she told Bon Appétit that at age 23, she completely changed her lifestyle by eliminating sugar and alcohol and taking up yoga, breathing exercises, and stretching. She described this combination as being more effective than the medication Ritalin.

She shared that she struggles with eating and body image, which are genuine concerns for her. However, she’s working on improving her well-being and is focusing on a healthy diet to support her physical health.

The Full House alum reflected on her mental health journey and navigating her battle with depression.

She explained on her podcast, Candace Cameron Bure Podcast, that it’s really hard to talk about these things, even with people you trust the most. She personally feels like she should be able to handle it on her own, and admitting she needs to talk about it feels like a weakness.

The Grammy-winning artist often talks about safeguarding her well-being, like blocking out negativity online, and offers guidance to others who are struggling.

When asked what advice she’d give someone struggling with their mental health, she told Vogue that patience is key. She emphasized being kind to yourself and not rushing things. She explained that difficult feelings will eventually lessen with time.

As people adjusted to social distancing to limit the spread of the coronavirus, the singer of “Firework” opened up about the significant stress these kinds of situations can cause.

In a recent tweet, Katy expressed the difficulty of navigating life during the pandemic, admitting she sometimes struggles more with the resulting sadness than with the virus itself. She explained that she often finds solace in her car, which has become her safe haven since there aren’t many other places to go.

The model partnered with designer Kenneth Cole to support The Mental Health Coalition and discussed her personal struggles with anxiety on Good Morning America.

It took me a while, but after my panic attacks started happening again and again, I finally figured out what was going on. It was such a relief to finally get the information I needed to understand it all.

Kendall shared that she experiences both good and very anxious days, making her emotional state fluctuate. This is why she wanted to get involved in this movement – she hopes to help people feel less isolated and alone.

The actor known for playing Black Adam has publicly discussed his experiences with depression and the challenges men often face when trying to discuss their mental wellbeing.

Everyone experiences difficult times and feelings of sadness – it doesn’t matter who you are. It took me a while to learn this, but being open about your struggles is really important. Men especially often feel like they need to keep their emotions bottled up, but remember, you’re not alone in this.

Prince Harry helped reduce the shame around getting help for mental health by sharing his own experiences with therapy in an interview with the Telegraph. He explained that talking about his struggles made him realize many other people go through similar things, saying, “Once you start talking about it, you realize you’re part of a big community.”

The actress from Empire has often talked about her experiences with depression and strongly believes in getting professional help. She once shared with Variety that talking to a therapist is essential for her to cope.

Taraji P. Henson founded The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation to fight the stigma surrounding mental health within the Black community and to expand access to Black mental health professionals.

The Grammy-winning artist revealed she began a treatment involving MDMA and psilocybin therapy to cope with the effects of both an eating disorder and performance anxiety.

She told Rolling Stone in May 2025 that she was finally touring without feeling nervous. She described a strange, shared physical sensation with the audience – almost like a change in air pressure – that tightened her stomach. This experience made her understand how much she thrives on – and even needs – that intense, emotional connection with people to truly feel her music come alive.

She explained that prioritizing her mental well-being and stopping birth control helped her develop a broader understanding of her gender identity.

She explained that she decided to stop taking birth control because it felt like a break from societal expectations of what it meant to be a woman. It might sound strange, she admitted, but she felt liberated and like she could explore new possibilities once she wasn’t bound by those expectations. She believed this change allowed her to be more open to new experiences.

In 2017, the actress from Riverdale shared on Instagram that she battled with serious anxiety and depression in middle school, and that support from her family and a therapist was life-saving. She emphasized the importance of reaching out for help, stating that it’s the first step, and that everyone has immense value.

The singer behind the song “What He Didn’t Do” recently opened up about her experiences living with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) over the past several years.

Carly shared on the Dumb Blonde podcast with Bunnie Xo in August 2025 that her anxiety began around the time of her divorce during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, she also revealed she’s struggled with severe OCD since childhood.

Over the past decade, I got used to keeping things to myself and handling problems on my own. Eventually, a couple of years ago, I realized I needed to go back to therapy and really understand what was going on. I discovered I’ve been dealing with obsessive-compulsive disorder since I was a child, not just since 2020.

The actress known for Frozen has openly discussed her mental health journey for years, sharing her coping strategies at public speaking events and on social media like Instagram.

She encourages people to discover what works best for them, and, as she told Health magazine, this could involve things like medication, practicing gratitude by listing ten positive thoughts for every negative one, and regular exercise.

The cookbook author is a mother of four and has bravely shared her experiences with postpartum depression, a common but often unspoken struggle for new mothers.

She explained in a 2017 letter to Glamour that it became simpler to talk about her experience each time. Her hope was to let others know this could happen to anyone, and to help those going through it feel less ashamed and less isolated.

While promoting her book, Mirror, Mirror, the model shared with The Edit magazine that she struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts as a teenager, describing a feeling of “something dark” within herself during that period.

Cara explained to the publication, as reported by W magazine, that she used to depend on love and other people for her happiness. She realized she needed to learn to find joy within herself. “Now I’m able to be alone and genuinely happy,” she said, adding that it was a long journey to get there.

As someone who really believes in taking care of your well-being, I was so touched by Ariana Grande’s recent tweet. Someone playfully asked about her therapist, and she responded by saying therapy has literally saved her life multiple times. It’s so refreshing to see someone so open about prioritizing their mental health, and I think it’s a powerful message for all of us – don’t hesitate to reach out for help if you need it!

She encouraged me not to be afraid to ask for help. She explained that I don’t have to live with constant pain and that it is possible to heal from trauma. While she acknowledged she still has a lot of work ahead of her, she felt that simply recognizing this possibility was a good first step.

The singer has often shared her personal struggles with addiction, recovery, and mental health, and she frequently explores these themes in her songs.

She consistently encourages her followers to prioritize their mental well-being, emphasizing that it’s a continuous journey with both good and bad days. She once shared on Instagram, “To anyone who’s struggling, remember that life has its ups and downs, but it’s important to keep going.”

The actress has openly discussed mental health, both through her work – like her portrayal of Rue in the show Euphoria – and in her personal life.

Zendaya revealed in 2013, through her old app, that she experienced anxiety following a memorable appearance on Ellen where her microphone malfunctioned. She’s since found healthy ways to cope with these feelings, explaining that it’s sometimes necessary to take a break and reduce stress.

In a recent interview with WSJ Magazine, the singer openly shared her experiences with mental health, explaining that she experienced extreme emotional swings – periods of intense happiness followed by weeks-long struggles with low moods.

She revealed she’s been dealing with mental health challenges, but finding the right medication has made a huge difference in her life.

The Grammy-winning artist dedicated herself to promoting kindness and openly discussing mental health, sharing her own experiences as well.

In 2018, while accepting the Global Changemakers Award at a fundraiser, she shared that she had long wrestled with whether to talk openly about her mental health. She explained that she firmly believes keeping things hidden actually makes things worse.

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2025-10-22 23:48