Demi Lovato Shares Childhood Peers Signed a "Suicide Petition" in Trailer for Child Star 

Content warning: This story discusses suicide

Demi Lovato is reflecting on a dark period in her childhood.

In the Disney alum’s directorial debut, Child Star, she, along with fellow stars like Drew Barrymore, Raven-Symoné and Saturday Night Live’s Kenan Thompson, recall their upbringings in the spotlight. And in the trailer for the documentary released Sept. 5, Demi detailed a devastating experience she had at school.  

“The popular girls signed a suicide petition,” she shared. “Saying that I should kill myself.”

And while the teaser didn’t share any additional details, later on, the “Heart Attack” singer spoke further on growing up on camera with her fellow former child actors.  

“There definitely is not a manual on how to navigate this industry at such a young age,” Demi adds later in the trailer for the documentary, released Sept. 17, referring to her own mistakes. “I wouldn’t end up where I am had I not made all the choices leading up to this point. But, it came at a price.” 

Elsewhere in the trailer, Demi and Drew recall their experiences with drugs, with the singer asking The Drew Barrymore Show host how old she was when she was first given “substances” to which Drew answers, “10.” 

Of course, this isn’t the first time the Sonny with a Chance alum has opened up on the strife of growing up in the limelight.  

“I think I’d passed the threshold of what I could withstand emotionally and physically," Demi told The Hollywood Reporter last month. “I didn’t realize that child stardom could be traumatic—and it isn’t traumatic for everyone, but for me, it was.” 

Indeed, the Camp Rock alum—who is currently engaged to musician Jordan “Jutes” Lutes—previously noted that she wouldn’t allow her children to replicate her career path.  

In fact, when asked what she would do if one of her future children approached her about becoming a performer, she didn’t budge.  

“I’d say, ‘Let’s study music theory and prepare you for the day you turn 18, because it’s not happening before that,’” she explained. “‘Not because I don’t believe in you or love you or want you to be happy, but because I want you to have a childhood, the childhood that I didn’t have.’” 

Even now, Demi admits she still has regrets about the path she took. 

“Sometimes I think it’s time for me to move on,” she added of her involvement in the industry. “But I’m in this weird position in my career because I still rely on music for my income.”

If you or someone you know needs help, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.