Disney star Demi Lovato, who recently completed a three-month stint in rehab to treat bulimia, bipolar disorder and self-mutilation, has gained 30 pounds since January, but is healthier and happier than ever.
Lovato, 19, has gone public with her struggle with the eating disorders anorexia and bulimia because she wants to be a role model for other girls experiencing the same problems.
'I Want to Help Girls With Eating Disorders'
"[I want to be a] role model," Demi said. "There was nobody out there for me to look at and say maybe this is unhealthy.
"I want to be that for a 13-year-old girl at home deciding whether or not to eat dinner, or an 18-year-old girl deciding whether or not to keep her breakfast down."
Lovato says she hid her eating disorders and cutting by putting on an act for those around her.
"I had learned how to control and manipulate everyone around me into believing that I was okay," Lovato tells the L.A. Times.
"I'd go to work on my TV show (Disney's Sonny With a Chance) and, instead of getting lunch, I would go get my nails done or go tan or nap or something....No one was grilling me."
Since rehab, Demi's eating is monitored carefully, and she has to check in after every meal with an adult who makes sure she's eating properly.
"Sometimes, I still think to this day, 'I wish I wasn't so watched,' " says Lovato, who says she's grateful for her nervous breakdown for saving her life.
'I Gained Weight, Get Over It'
Ironically, Demi came under fire recently after fans teased her for gaining weight in the months following rehab.
In response, a defiant Lovato tweeted in August: I've gained weight. Get over it. That's what happens when you get out of treatment for AN EATING DISORDER.
Demi quickly deleted that Twitter post but then followed up with this message: Guess what, I'm healthy and happy, and if you're hating on my weight you obviously aren't.
Lovato says rehab helped her confront the negative emotions she had kept bottled up for years and taught her how to cope with stress.
Demi's opening up about her past troubles because she wants to inspire other young women dealing with similar issues.
"The real reason why I'm sitting down with you is to open up the eyes of so many young girls, [and to show them] that it doesn't have to be this way," she says.
Lovato is currently promoting her new album, Unbroken.
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