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Credit: WikipediaFormer Disney Star and singer Demi Lovato has come out as non-binary and will use the pronouns they/them, from now on, they have revealed.
The announcement came on the star’s Twitter page and has been widely covered.
Lovato is known for roles in Disney Channel productions including Sonny With a Chance and Camp Rock (2008). In recent years, the star has been an ardent mental health ambassador and a supporter of the LGBTQ+ community.
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What did Demi Lovato reveal?
Lovato’s announcement of their new gender identity came on May 19th, on social media. Lovato tweeted their followers to announce that they would start using they/them from now on and that they identify as non-binary.
Every day we wake up, we are given another opportunity & chance to be who we want & wish to be. I’ve spent the majority of my life growing in front of all of you… you’ve seen the good, the bad, & everything in between.
Not only has my life been a journey for myself, I was also living for those on the other side of the cameras.
Today is a day I'm so happy to share more of my life with you all- I am proud to let you know that I identify as non-binary & will officially be changing my pronouns to they/them moving forward 💖
— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) May 19, 2021
This has come after a lot of healing & self-reflective work. I’m still learning & coming into myself, & I don’t claim to be an expert or a spokesperson. Sharing this with you now opens another level of vulnerability for me.
I’m doing this for those out there that haven’t been able to share who they truly are with their loved ones. Please keep living in your truths & know I am sending so much love your way xox
I’m doing this for those out there that haven’t been able to share who they truly are with their loved ones. Please keep living in your truths & know I am sending so much love your way xox
— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) May 19, 2021
The star shared an emotional post:
Today is a day I’m so happy to share more of my life with you all – I am proud to let you know that I identify as non-binary & will officially be changing my pronouns to they/them moving forward […] This has come after a lot of healing & self-reflective work. I’m still learning & coming into myself, & I don’t claim to be an expert or a spokesperson. Sharing this with you now opens another level of vulnerability for me […] I’m doing this for those out there that haven’t been able to share who they truly are with their loved ones. Please keep living your truths & know I am sending so much love your way xoxo.
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What does it mean to be non-binary?
Lovato is not the first celebrity to reveal their gender identity doesn’t conform to strictly male or female. Singer Sam Smith also came out as non-binary in 2019. Equally, actor Elliot Page revealed he identifies as male. For cisgender people, the term “non-binary” can be confusing. Trans equality.org defines it as such:
Some people don’t neatly fit into the categories of “man” or “woman,” or “male” or “female.” For example, some people have a gender that blends elements of being a man or a woman, or a gender that is different than either male or female. Some people don’t identify with any gender. Some people’s gender changes over time.
People whose gender is not male or female use many different terms to describe themselves, with non-binary being one of the most common. Other terms include genderqueer, agender, bigender, and more. None of these terms mean exactly the same thing – but all speak to an experience of gender that is not simply male or female.
Demi Lovato and Disney
Nostalgic fans of the Disney Channel will remember Demi Lovato fondly. They were a major Disney Channel star on the same level as Miley Cyrus (Hannah Montana), Dylan and Cole Sprouse (The Suite Life of Zack and Cody), and Selena Gomez (Wizards of Waverly Place). However, Lovato was mostly known for their role in Camp Rock and Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam (2010). These TV movies starred the actor as Mitchie Torres opposite another famous Disney star: Joe Jonas (of The Jonas Brothers).
However, following this success, Lovato distanced themselves from Disney. They moved into a highly successful career as a singer and continue to be very popular today. Indeed, their most recent album – Dancing with the Devil … the Art of Starting Over was released in 2021. Interestingly, they share a similar career path to Selena Gomez and Miley Cyrus in this sense. However, Lovato has acted since in productions such as Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020) and four episodes of Glee.
We don’t know if we’ll ever see Lovato in another Disney production. However, we’re very happy that they’re living their truth and being their authentic self. We wish the singer all our love and support for their bravery!
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What is your favorite Demi Lovato role? Let us know in the comments below.