DEMI LOVATO SHEDS LIGHT IN SELF INTERVIEW

SELF

Demi Lovato is California beautiful on her August 2010 SELF cover. August is the ‘Give Your Heart a Break’ singer’s birthday month and she is celebrating with summery, sunny images and a candid interview. She looks so beachy with blond waves and sun-smooched skin, doesn’t she? These are exclusive shots that did not appear in her spread.

But despite the bright and beautiful images, Lovato does tackle difficult issues in her feature. The mag also released quotes that are not included the actual article, all of which shed light on Lovato and her life.

Lovato revealed that her pals helped her get healthy. “I surround myself with people who make positive decisions and who have more interests than wanting to go to clubs and get wasted,” she revealed. “My friends and I look out for each other, and I love just inviting everyone over to watch TV. I like ‘Law & Order’– except it makes me want to go out and inspect everyone on the street to see if they are a serial killer!” Perhaps Lovato should seek counsel fromTaylor Swift, a fellow avowed ‘L&O’ diehard.

The host of the 2012 Teen Choice Awards once again reminded us that her battles are ongoing, even though she completed successful treatment. She said, “I’ve spent the past two years getting over an eating disorder and issues like self-harming and bipolar disorder. Unlike a person who doesn’t have these problems, I have to work on this stuff every day. I’m reminded of that whenever I eat or feel down.” That’s something Lovatics should take to heart as they face their own battles. Remember, you are not alone!

Lovato also said that when she was diagnosed as bipolar, it helped her “put together the pieces of the puzzle.” She recalled, “I remember being on my tour bus thinking, My life is so awesome right now, but I’m so depressed. Then, a few days later, I’d be on top of the world. It was really confusing. When I got diagnosed, my life made more sense.”

In her chat that did not appear in the mag, she further explained how it is a daily battle to stay ahead of her issues and required her unlearn old behaviors and try new ones. “It’s more than just seeing a therapist once a week,” she shared. “It’s a complete life change when you really want to better yourself and completely change the patterns that you have had in the past. Do I think I still need work? I think everyone needs work. I just keep working on myself.”

Lovato also touched on less serious issues and spoke about her ‘X Factor‘ co-judges Simon Cowell, with whom she reportedly butted heads, and L.A. Reid. She gushed, “Simon’s so funny and so cool, and L.A.— he’s really awesome. He seems really, really sweet so I’m excited to get to work with all of them. I was totally nervous about Simon, too. I was expecting him to be mean or something, because of American Idol, you know? He’s like so, just, real.”

The naturally gorgeous singer, who will be 20 on Aug. 20, revealed that she feels most beautiful not when attending glam Hollywood parties or premieres, but when hanging with a guy sans makeup. “I used to feel my most beautiful when I was on the red carpet or at events or something where I’m all dolled up,” she said. “Now I feel like the moment when I feel most beautiful is when I’m able to hang out with a guy without my makeup on or lay on the beach with no makeup on and not even worrying about what my hair or what I look like before I fall asleep.”