Disney Star Demi Lovato, 18, who entered treatment for “physical and emotional issues” this past October, has decided not to return to her starring television role on the Disney Channel series, “Sonny with a Chance.”
According to People Magazine Lovato states, “It made sense for me to go ahead and leave the show to focus on my music.
It’s kind of sad for me that a chapter of my life has ended but there couldn’t be a better time for me to move on.
I don’t think going back to Sonny would be healthy for my recovery. Being in front of a camera would make me nervous.”
The Disney Channel issued the statement: “We respect Demi’s decision to focus fulltime on her music and not immediately return to her acting career. She is a talented young woman and our hearts are with her as she continues to take action to improve her health and bounce back from adversity.”
As many HMB “casting call” readers know, the series has been made over as a sketch comedy program called “So Random!” and will debut in June. Having watched the live taping of the show several times, I think the decision to move on is the right one for Demi. A live studio audience, even one filled primarily with children, is not always the friendliest crowd. I recall a day of filming when one particularly obnoxious teen audience member was vocally favoring co-star Tiffany Thornton (who plays Tawni Hart) to the point our group was fairly certain Demi overheard. Ever the professional, Lovato continued on with her performance and later pulled off a hilarious dialogue as her character “Sicky Vicky,” although she herself was under the weather that day.
We at Hollywood Mom Blog wish Lovato all the success in the world and look forward to seeing how her career blossoms. Don’t forget to watch the GMA and 20/20 television interview specials with Demi Lovato later this week.
Read the People Article here online and look for the full story on newsstands Friday.
