From Hollywood to Your Bookshelf: Demi Lovato

Check out Hollywood Week over at Rather Be Reading!

Last summer, Estelle and I were having one of our random discussions about young celebrities (a.k.a. Zac Efron), when we realized that his real life and the lives of other young celebrities would make the perfect material for a YA novel. I wrote about Taylor Swift, while Estelle wrote about McGosling! Just in time for Hollywood Week on Rather Be Reading, we're doing another edition of From Hollywood to Your Bookshelf. So after you read mine, go on over and check out Estelle's post too!

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One of the young celebrities I admire most is Demi Lovato. She's got an incredible voice, as evidenced by her wildly successful albums. She's also a pretty decent actress (read: I used to watch Camp Rock and Sonny With a Chance a lot), who knows how to make her audience laugh and fall in love with her characters. Her personality is warm, wise and puts you at ease since she's comfortable with who she is.

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Why do I think Demi Lovato could inspire a YA novel?

• She led a pretty charmed life when her career started, coming on to the scene with a successful Disney film, Camp Rock, which was followed by two successful albums and a Disney show (Sonny with a Chance).
• She's got plenty of interesting celebrity relationships, such as with the Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez.
• She also faced personal issues in 2010, at a mere 18 years old. She entered a treatment facility to confront her issues, which included bulimia, self-injury and self-medication with drugs and alcohol. Her diagnosis? Bipolar disorder.
• Yet, even with her issues, Demi managed to successfully complete treatment and find stability and strength. She used her experience as a vehicle with which to reach out to other teens. Her honesty and her passion for doing so really touched a lot of people.

Last summer, I got to watch Demi perform live on Good Morning America!

Honestly, I admire Demi. She's been through so much already, but has managed to come out stronger than before. Her issues are nothing to be taken lightly, of course, but I feel like readers could find them potentially relatable if they were shared in a book.

Here are a few book suggestions that might tide you over until Demi's memoir hits bookshelves (and it's scheduled for 2014!):

• Staying Strong by Demi Lovato: It's not precisely a memoir, but Demi shares some of her affirmations and reflections for this inspirational novel. 
• Welcome Caller, This is Chloe by Shelley Coriell: This novel reminds me of Demi in her early Disney days, particularly when Sonny with a Chance had just started. (my review)
• It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini: I can't profess to know what Demi's treatment was like, but this novel reminds me that it really helps people who need it. (my review)
• Speechless by Hannah Harrington: The main character in this book is silent for her own reasons, but it made me think of the years that Demi kept her issues hidden from the public eye. (my review)
• Just Listen by Sarah Dessen: This is a story about a girl who has lost everything she has, and how she finds it again with help from someone else. Sounds very Demi to me.
• Just One Day by Gayle Forman: I included this one because it's a journey of self-discovery. Even though it's very different from Demi's, the emotional experience of such a journey resonates in a similar way. (my review)
• Something Real by Heather Demetrios: It's about a girl who has been on reality TV all her life, thought she was out and gets thrust back into it abruptly because of her mother. Even though it's a different platform, I still think the level of public scrutiny, the pressure and the ensuing reactions of the teens in this book are reminiscent of Demi's experience. (my review)

YOUR TURN - Which celebrity lives or stories do you think would be inspiration for a YA novel? Do you have other thoughts on Demi's life as a novel? Any other Demi-vibed suggestions for books?