Demi Lovato shuts down body-shamers with her latest photo

KARACHI: For the past couple of years, Demi Lovato has been struggling with several issues that are common with child stars who rise to stardom rather quickly and dramatically. Other names such as Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus, who rose to prominence around the same time as Lovato, have also spoken of similar struggles with depression and drug addiction and Lovato has also been fairly vocal about her time at a rehabilitation centre.

However, Lovato is now back with new music and a new persona and now she seems to be speaking up about body diversity and fat shaming. In a recent post, the singer addressed her insecurities with her body and put up an edited picture of herself in a bikini. She wrote: “This is my biggest fear. A photo of me in a bikini unedited. And guess what, it’s CELLULIT!!!! I’m just literally sooooo tired of being ashamed of my body, editing it (yes the other bikini pics were edited – and I hate that I did that but it’s the truth) so that others think I’m THEIR idea of what beautiful is, but it’s just not me. This is what I got. I want this new chapter in my life to be about being authentic to who I am rather than trying to meet someone else’s standards. So here’s me, unashamed, unafraid and proud to own a body that has fought through so much and will continue to amaze me when I hopefully give birth one day.

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It’s such a great feeling to be back in tv/film while not stressing myself with a strenuous workout schedule before 14 hour days, or depriving myself from a real birthday cake rather than opting for watermelon & whip cream with candles because I was terrified of REAL cake and was miserable on some crazy diet shit. Anyway, here’s me, RAW, REAL! And I love me. And you should love you too! Now back to the studio.. I’m working on an anthem..also. Just so everyone’s clear.. I’m not stoked on my appearance BUT I am appreciative of it and sometimes that’s the best I can do. I hope to inspire someone to appreciate their body today too.”

A few days ago, Bieber also took to Instagram to write a similar letter in which he wrote about his struggle with drug addiction and rising popularity and how he’s finally in a better place.