Demi Lovato says people "looked at her differently" when she returned from rehab.
Demi Lovato
The 'Cool for the Summer' hitmaker underwent treatment for alcohol and drug abuse, an eating disorder and self-harming
in 2010 but was keen not to return to the industry as a "stereotypical Hollywood starlet who ... falls back into the trap of the things that got her there".
She said: "I think people looked at me differently. I wanted to prove to people that I wasn't just a stereotypical Hollywood starlet who goes to rehab and falls back into the trap of the things that got her there. I wanted to make sure that the music that I made was great and that I was passionate about the music that I put out and I sang my heart out.
"And I also wanted to continue the message of using my platform for more things than just singing about heartbreak. That's what music is for, is getting you through times, but also using it to inspire people."
And although Demi is in a much better place now, the 23-year-old star insists going to rehab helped her to grow up "really fast".
She added: "For me, the transition was a little bit easier because I didn't have to do anything to break out of the Disney mould. It's a lot easier when you just go to rehab. So I kind of grew up really fast in the public eye in that way."
And now Demi is busy focusing on "doing things that are going to better herself" and is a regular visitor to the gym.
She shared to The Morning Call newspaper: "Right now, I'm actually at the gym and just took a break from my workout to do this interview.
"I have a great environment here and I take my meetings here, I do whatever I need to and then I go back and I work out some more and then I do what I need to do like go to the studio ... My life right now consists of gym, AA meetings and the studio. So that's pretty much my life. And I love it."
Tagged in Demi Lovato