X Factor judge Demi Lovato believes that more celebrities need to talk about eating disorders. She thinks that those suffering from a disorder might then be encouraged to seek help. She comments candidly that she developed her own eating disorder quite young when people weren’t talking openly about it and if more people had raised awareness she might have been encouraged to ask for help:
“I was about 12 or 13 when I developed my eating disorder, and at that time nobody in the public eye talked about their body issues. I feel that if someone had admitted they had a problem, then I wouldn’t have gone down that route myself. That’s my goal in talking about my problems. I want to be the person for other girls that I needed to admire when I was looking for help and strength. It’s okay to love your body the way it is and it’s okay to reach out for help if you have drug and alcohol problems, or if you’re self-harming or being bullied.”
Speaking on taking on her role as judge on X Factor, Demi believes that she might have started working again too early after exiting rehab for numerous issues. However, she is now glad because she feels as though she is in a better place:
“I don’t think I was ready when I started on ‘The X Factor’ [in autumn 2012]. In an ideal situation I would have maybe waited a year or more [after coming out of treatment]. I dived into work really quickly and maybe that wasn’t the best idea at the time, but the place I am in today is so much better than I could have ever imagined, so I’m really glad.”
She reveals that her Mr. Perfect is someone who is willing to accept all parts of her and doesn’t feel the need to try and change her in any way:
“I’m a southern Texas girl. I have a really strong personality – I speak my mind and I don’t hold back. I’m the type of woman who doesn’t put up with bullsh-t, so when I date I have to find someone who won’t either. I don’t think any woman should ever hold back what she’s really thinking.”
