I'm a prepared little bunny this month, even if that is by complete accident.
I was contemplating over who to write about for May's edition of these series of posts, and it was between two women who admire so much for different reasons. I know the one that I didn't write about this month, would definitely be featured next month.
So I've been confused over which one is more inspirational at the present moment... But I read a quick little article that secured this girl a place as May's inspirational person immediately.
That girl is Demi Lovato.
Look at that photo and tell
me she is not beautiful!
As many of you know, Demi had a tough year last year. She had to deal a break up from her Boyfriend, the pressure of being a Disney star and role model to thousands, knowing all too well that she was under the constant watch of the paparazzi: all whilst dealing with under lying emotional and physical issues that have plagued her for years. She went into rehab to turn her life around after coping with these said issues last October, and was there for months.
Now, she's out of rehab with a new lease for life, and a new found dedication to help troubled teens overcome serious issues such as depression, cutting and eating disorders.
She's newly completed her first TV interview since her stint in rehab, announced that she's going back into the studio to record some new songs and has also been announced as Seventeen magazine's contributing editor. It's a nice reminder that things DO get better.
She's so well known for that glorious grin
that never seem to be absent from her
face...
But in the past few years, the public appeared
to be more interested in the mysterious scars
that could be seen on her wrists.
Doesn't that just sum up society? Their not concerned for the person self harming themselves, but rather the possibility to spread more gossip. That's probably why Lovato's rep dismissed the claims of self mutilation and said:
"Demi was wearing gummy bracelets just prior to her appearance on the red carpet and, because of how tight they were, they left indentations on her wrists"With the world watching, wouldn't you lie?
I have so much respect for Demi, and for her bravery in facing these social faux pas head on, with such honesty. If you've ever kept a secret from the people that you've loved in your life, then you realise just how much of a daunting task it is to finally own up and say "Do you know what? I need some serious help." To share her tragic secret not only with her friends and family, but with the world, to help herself and to inspire those who are going through similar troubles? That is true courage, rivalled only by warriors.
It's not often that a celebrity opens up about truthful past experiences for a reason other than sympathy or a chance to prolong their time in the spotlight. I hate that this is the case, but it is.
As many of Demi's fans know, she was bullied pretty badly when she was at school. Pretty badly could be seen as understatement of the year, as it got so serious, she was pulled out of school and was taught at home. But home-schooling wasn't a solution to all of her problems, as the cruel taunts of Demi's classmates sparked an eating disorder that has plagued her from that moment onwards.
It's a painful reminder of just how much of an effect our words can have on the minds of others. An idea is like a virus, a single strand of one can multiply into a disease that infects an entire person's life. Bullying can lead to so many problems, from eating disorders to suicide, it's not an issue that can be taken lightly.
Demi knows this all too well, which is why she backs a campaign called "Love is louder", which supports people who have dealt with similar issues that the star has gone through herself.
It's a beautiful sight to see, a gorgeous young pop-star, who has not only risen above the intense bullying that she has dealt with in her past and went to rehab under the glaring eyes of the world media to cope with an eating disorder, a mental disorder and the serious issue of self harm, but has been so open with us all after leaving the facility for the good of other young people going through the same problems as Demi was facing.
Self-harm, Bullemia and bi-polar disorder are becoming more and more common, but the social stigma that goes with them, and the lack of of understanding people have towards these issues, remains unchanged. In this celebrity obsessed culture we have now become, the only way to change the world is by becoming a celebrity and talking openly about your life experiences, or at least, it's beginning to feel like that. I adore what Demi has done.
Demi seems like a genuinely lovely person, and it truly pains me to learn about the horrible things she has been subjected to in her life. She's proved that she's a caring cutie, making a real difference in the field of philanthropy and charity, supporting names such as Love our children, City of hope, St. Jude Children's research hospital and Kids Wish Network. Any interview with her friends or work mates have had nothing but kind words to say about the girl, which only cements our initial impression of Demi's kindness.
If you haven't watched the interview yet, then please, watch it. It's really tragic in some parts, but I doubt that you can truly appreciate the real Demi instead of Demi Lovato, the Disney princess, if you haven't watched it.
“I don't think that I was ever trying to kill myself, but I knew that if I had ever gone too far that I wouldn't care.
"My mom was terrified of walking into my room in the mornings, sometimes because she didn't know what she would find, because it had become that serious"
“When I was 7 years old I started having, actual suicidal thoughts”Can't even put into words the amount of respect I have for this girl.
I wish her all the best in her recovery, and on behalf of the people that have been influenced by her to go and get help for their problems? I thank Demi.
Lauren xxx
