Demi Lovato's Father Says Showbiz Pressures Landed Her in Rehab

By Zach Dionne Posted Nov 2nd 2010 03:11PM

The unexpected news of 18-year-old Demi Lovato checking into rehab for "emotional and physical issues" is a result of Hollywood pressure the former Disney-kid has faced for years, her father says.

Patrick Lovato tells RadarOnline.com, "There are a lot of pressures. That is one of the things I worried about when she signed with Disney."

Yesterday, TMZ reported the singer is not seeking treatment for drug use. Sources told RadarOnline that Demi has endured emotional issues from being bullied, cutting herself and body image issues.

The elder Lovato says the showbiz pressure is "just going to happen" as part of the celebrity lifestyle, but thinks his daughter will make it through in one piece. "She'll be fine," he says. "She's strong alright."

Patrick and Demi's mother, Dianna, whose marriage ended in 1994, were both performers during Demi's childhood. "We each played in a band and we toured all over the United States and Canada and our oldest daughter, Dallas, went with us. I could see then what the pressures would be like for a child on tour because it was hard on Dallas, too," Patrick says. He thinks Demi's decision to go into acting and singing came from watching her parents. "She grew up around it, so I guess that's why she went into it; I guess it's in her genes with her mom and her dad."

Patrick says he has been hospitalized for two months with cancer and hasn't seen Demi, so his knowledge of her current situation is limited. Asked if Demi has battled problems with cutting, his answer was, "I can't say."

It's been some time since Patrick spoke to his daughter, as well. "It's been a couple of months. I've had cancer, I just got out [of the hospital]," he says. "She hasn't visited, she's been too busy, she's been way too busy."

► Read the full interview at RadarOnline.com

The Disney star's rep released a statement yesterday saying, "Demi Lovato left her tour early this weekend in order to seek medical treatment for emotional and physical issues she has dealt with for some time. Demi has decided to take personal responsibility for her actions and seek help. She is doing just that."

A source close to Lovato told TMZ a physical altercation between the singer and a female member of her tour was the catalyst in her decision to enter treatment.

Earlier this year, Lovato dated Joe Jonas for several months before the two called in quits in May.

Wish Demi a Speedy Recovery on Facebook

Tags: celebrity rehab, Demi Lovato

Comments

(30)

Tuesday 02 November

By georgie

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That is a shame. I always thought it was up to the parents to know when to cut back on thier children's activities and know when to get them to take a break. Sometimes showbiz parents seem like they are more concerned with living the high life from the wages that their children are pulling in, then being a good parent. Good, down to earth, parenting skills just seem to fly out of the window. That is why there are so many rude and obnoxious child performers, i.e. the Beiber boy, Miley (annoying and poor role model for young girls) Cyrus, Lindsay Lohan, etc.

By ciara500

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Well, Georgie!!! Aren't you just the prize pickle?It's bad enough that some of these young people have some issues and you can't say one decent thing about them?

By celebcupid

who cares!!!

Wednesday 03 November

I have been called a peach, but never a pickle. I like Beiber when he first started out, before he became so full of himself. I have never cared for Miley, but she does have two songs that I do like. I liked Lindsay when she was a young actress, and it is a shame to see her spiral out of control. I hope she does get better. I wish Demi the best of luck. She always seemed like a good person. But I still believe many parents are at fault for letting their children get out of control.

By Jim

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Pressure??? There is way more important things to worry about. FIRE HER damn it,before she really does something stupider.

By Allison

Something Stupider!?!? Are you serious?! She's been nothing but good press for Disney so far and her checking into rehab is to prevent her from doing something stupid. If anything she should get some credit for taking control over her life before she did anything stupid. She cant help having a poor image of herself with the media everywhere with everyone in her face. Good Luck Demi! I hope You get the help you need. You are a beautiful and talented girl and don't let anyone tell you otherwise!

By Gail

She must be a brat, not contacting her dad who was just in the hospital for TWO MONTHS with cancer??? OMG what a lousy daughter.

By Diane Joao

What kind of daughter doesn't visit her cancer-stricken father in the hospital? I don't care how famous you are; that's bizarre.

By Billie

Leave her alone and let her get well, she is already on the right track. And her dad seems that he wants people to feel sorry for him, and I don't think he is in her life much. Cause a loving father that has been in their childs life does not keep saying she has been to busy to see me in the hospital, their concerns are only for their child. And to the media leave her alone, let her heal with help from family and friends not the world involved cause the media is always making things worse.....

By joblo

There's no business like show business to ruin a kid's life.

By laughin@stupid

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the door swings both ways just dont let it hit you in the backend on the way out

By Morbid

laughin@stupid - Yes, you're right the door does swing both ways, but then again, so does your mama.

Monday 15 November

By reni

I think low-key she is hurt over the way Joe agreed to go out with her just to dump her cause he wasn't feeling it from the jump! WHY SAY YES? Demi you don't have to worry about the other girl cause you ALREADY GOT IT and your beauty goes beyond your face. As for the rehab do the da*n thing! YOU WILL GET BETTER/HAVE THE LAST LAUGH ON THIS!

By DeadGossip

O.MY.GOSH. She's going to rehab for pressure? I HAVE A BETTER IDEA! take a break and go to the bahamas. :( poor Demi. Imagine you in her shoes. i think my head would explode. AH NO MORE SONNY WITH A CHANCE?! AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By jessemosslover

Why blame hollywood? It seems like she had emotional problems long before she became famous.

By DiamondMom

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Unfortunately, once the family signs on the dotted line, wanting the fame & fortune, the effect on the child is overlooked. Older celebrities have dealt with the pressures of show business and turned to alcohol, drugs, anorexia, bulimia, etc. Imagine that same pressure on a child to preteen, the developing years and into teenage years. Not easy to handle and when the parents aren't involved or way too involved (hello lilo mom) the child is the one who suffers.

By Melody

Another one bites the dust. Great going Hollywood!

By joe

send the fat-azzed talentless pig back to mexico to be with her own kind.

By Ashleigh

you can't believe what this guy says...he's like Michael Lohan now. Demi and him have been estranged for years. And honestly, if he was any type of father, the first thing he would do when his daughter checked into rehab would be visiting her and focusing on her not selling an interview to popeater. Hope Demi gets better

By bookdivasu

If Demi Lovato's father has not spoken to her for some time, why is he speaking for her now? Shame on him for trying to grab some publicity at his daughter's expense!

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