Demi Lovato On Her Father's Death: 'Confident' Singer Felt 'Conflicted' Over 'Abusive' Dad's Passing
"Cool For The Summer" singer Demi Lovato may have highlighted the importance of being confident on one's skin several times recently as a promotion for her upcoming album, "Confident," but this time, the singer had chosen to speak about a track she dedicates for her late father whom she have loved despite calling him "abusive."
As a preview of her tribute song titled "Father" uploaded on YouTube, Lovato recalled their problematic relationship when he was still alive. While Lovato's videos are often flashed with colorful and dancing hues, her new video featured her in a rather gloomy disposition as the clip was run in black-and-white.
"I was very conflicted when he passed because he was abusive," the 23-year-old artist said. "He was mean, but he wanted to be a good person, and he wanted to have his family. When my mom married my stepdad he still had this huge heart where he would say, 'I'm so glad Eddie's taking care of you and doing the job that I wish I could do.'"
Lovato and her father, Patrick, have had a rough relationship after the two became estranged on 2007. Then 54 years old, Patrick succumbed to death in 2013 after battling cancer. In an interview with Good Morning America last year as reported by E! Online, the pop star admitted her father, just like her, also suffered mental health problems and she cited her dad's condition as one of the reasons that contributed to their estrangement.
"He knew he wasn't capable of raising a family, and it was because of his mental illness," she said in her new video. "To know that it wasn't fully his fault really was saddening to me. I wanted to write about it. I wanted to process it."
But even though the former Disney star had a tumultuous relationship with her dad, her emotional ballad expressed her understanding and longing for her father.
"You did your best or did you? / Sometimes I think I hate you / I'm sorry, dad, for feelin' this," the lyrics read. "I know you were a troubled man," she also sings. "I know you never got the chance / To be yourself, to be your best / I hope that heaven's given you / A second chance."
Apart from the song she had made just for her father, People says that Lovato has been very active in pursuing aid for individuals who suffer from mental health problems to commemorate the life of Patrick. She recently lobbied for mental health reform in Washington, D.C. and last year, she founded Lovato Treatment Scholarship Program for mentally challenged individuals.
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