Lovato says that she is 'handling it OK' in her first TV interview following her estranged father's passing.
- Jun 28, 2013
AceShowbiz - Demi Lovato talked about her estranged father's passing in her first TV interview on "Good Morning America". On the Thursday, June 27 episode, Demi told host Robin Roberts (II), "Im handling it OK."
"My father and I didn't have the most ideal relationship, but at the end of the day he's still my dad," Demi said, adding that coping with the loss was "difficult." The "Heart Attack" singer explained, "I grew up with him and he's a wonderful person, but I'm handling it okay."
In the interview, Demi also revealed that her father Patrick Lovato, who reportedly passed away after losing battle with cancer, "dealt with mental illnesses and he wasn't able to function in society and that happens to a lot of people." To honor the memories of her late father, Demi launched Lovato Treatment Scholarship.
"I'm working with Cast Recovery, a treatment center I've worked really, really closely with, and I have trust in their program," Demi said. The program will help one person at a time pay for mental illness treatment. "I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason," the 20-year-old singer, who is currently promoting her new single "Made in the USA", said.
Similar to his father, Demi also dealt with mental illness. She struggled with bipolar disorder, self-harming and an eating disorder. "A couple years ago, it's no secret, I had to go into treatment for a bunch of issues. I mean, I could name them all, [but] we ain't got time. I had to go away to treatment and I want to let you know that this treatment center is called Timberline Knolls. It was here in Lemont, Illinois," she told concert audience earlier this month.
