Lovato Embraces Self-Worth With ‘I Love Me’

Natalie Dest, Reporter

After a long-awaited return to the music scene, Demi Lovato has released her self-love, pop-fueled anthem of acceptance and realization of self worth.

Rising from her two-year hiatus after her 2018 overdose, the 27-year-old made her debut this past Grammy Awards with the emotional ballad “Anyone,” a song that shares her battle with recovery. But it’s Lovato’s newest single “I Love Me” that explores the singer’s past difficulties and her newfound acceptance of loving oneself.

The single, released this past Friday, was paired with her debut music video that takes a trip down both memory lane and references to past struggles. The video begins with Lovato battling against three different versions of herself until she finally realizes that loving herself is what she needs most.

“Why am I always looking for a ride or die/Cause mine’s the only heart I’m gonna have for life/After all the times I went and f***** it up/I wonder when I love me is enough,” Lovato sings in her upbeat track.

Lovato is seen to walk through the streets as moments from her past pass her by. The singer gives homage to her memorable role in Disney’s Camp Rock, in addition to walking by a pair of three brothers, seemingly referencing the Jonas Brothers and their past tour experiences.

Nearing the end of the video, Lovato glances at an unconscious women being carried away in an ambulance, reaching out to touch her shoulder. This moment pays tribute to her overdose two years ago.

Keeping mostly to herself about the intimates of her overdose, the pop-sensation had returned to The Ellen DeGeneres Show March 5 for her first on-screen daytime interview in years regarding her scare.

“I was stuck in this unhappy position,” Lovato said. “Here I am sober thinking to myself, ‘I’m six years sober, but I’m miserable. More miserable than I was when I was drinking. Why am I sober?’”

Becoming sober at the age of 19, Lovato confesses during her interview that she has taken responsibility for the decisions that she has made, learning to find peace with her past.

“I think it’s important that I sit here on this stage and tell you at home and you in the audience that if you do go through this, you yourself can get through it,” Lovato said. “You can get to the other side. It may be bumpy, but you are a ten out of ten, don’t forget it. As long as you take the responsibility, you can move past it and learn to love yourself the way that you deserve to be loved.”

Not only does “I Love Me” pay notice to her battles with addiction, but also references her struggles with past eating disorders. “Can’t see what I am, I just see what I’m not/I’m guilty ‘bout everything that I eat (every single day),” Lovato sings.

Lovato’s 2017 YouTube documentary “Simply Complicated” included much vulnerability from the singer and honest truth about her difficulties with bulimia. The singer has only continued to bring light to her issue in hopes to pave ways for those who struggle similarly.

“My life, I just felt, was so — and I hate to use this word, but I felt like it was controlled,” Lovato told DeGeneres. “By so many people around me, I felt manipulated.”

Lovato then revealed her relationship with her past management team and their handling of her disorder.

“They were told to hide the sugar and put everything away so that when you got to your dressing room, even backstage, there was no sugar anywhere near. Did you know that was happening?” DeGeneres asked.

“I didn’t know that until today, too,” Demi responded. “I lived a life for the past six years that I felt wasn’t my own, because I struggled really hard with an eating disorder.”

Demi concluded her interview on a happier note, confessing she’s in a much better place now and practices self-care.

“This is why I have the song coming out called ‘I Love Me.’ Like, we are good by ourselves. We don’t need a partner, we don’t need substances. We’re good.”

The musician has yet to announce her upcoming album since her 2017 LP “Tell Me You Love Me,” although it is confirmed that both “Anyone” and “I Love Me” will be featured on the record.

For now, the singer’s fans, “Lovatics,” now have a pop-anthem that is meant to ignite self acceptance to keep them going. Lovato reached out via Instagram the night of her single’s release to thank those that have stood by her through her worst.

“We have good days and we have bad days. The best we can do is be the best version of ourselves and celebrate with those closest to us,” Lovato said. “Special shoutout to all of my Lovatics for always being there for me. 2020 is our year.”