Pop star Demi Lovato has grown up in the spotlight. Now she's taking it one step further with a book of affirmations and a planned memoir she says will touch for the first time on her struggle with addiction.
The first in her two-book deal with publisher Macmillan, Staying Strong: 365 Days a Year (Feiwel and Friends) landed at No. 38 on USA TODAY's Best-Selling Books list after its release Nov. 19. The book evolved from Lovato's inspirational tweets, which she sends out to her more than 20 million followers. And it has an introduction by Katie Couric.
"To me, staying strong is really important. A lot of people have faith, have hope, but now what? How do you continue to be strong? It's about doing things daily and taking care of yourself, and I wanted to show my fans what helped me," Lovato, 21, says from her home in Los Angeles.
Lovato grew up as a regular on the Disney Channel and made headlines when she sought treatment for an eating disorder in 2010. After rehab, she continued to speak out about her struggles with depression and cutting, and she became involved in anti-bullying charities.
Staying Strong "kind of reads my mind a little bit," Lovato says. "Each relates to the day, and just reminds me to be thankful for what I have."
The book's affirmations come with an explanation from Lovato and a goal for the day. Inspirational phrases include:
- "You are beautifully and wonderfully made."
- "One's destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things."
- "Every life has a purpose. Share your story and you may help someone find their own."
Lovato keeps busy as a judge on the X Factor and actress on Glee (she plays a love interest to character Santana). She says she gets thanks from parents "for being a good influence and role model for their kids."
During this holiday season, she doesn't hesitate when asked what she's thankful for. "It's my fans. They're so supportive."
In the book of affirmations, Lovato touches on her struggle with addiction, writing in one passage: "Self-harm, eating disorders, addiction and mood disorders are things that people aren't always open about. But it's so important that someone starts talking about these issues so that those who are struggling know that there is help out there."
But it's in her forthcoming memoir that she plans to go into detail about addiction.
"I'm nervous to share my story," Lovato says. "But the last time I did, people were really respectful and nobody judged me. Sometimes I have to ask myself, 'How honest do I really want to be with this book?' But I think I'm going to do it. I think I'm going to go for it."
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