Demi Lovato is seemingly reevaluating her real friends. After defining what qualifies someone as a "true friend" via Instagram, fans noticed Lovato unfollowed childhood pal Selena Gomez.
Lovato, 26, stopped following Gomez, 26, after the Wizards of Waverly Place alum first shortened her, list in January. Gomez follows 49 accounts, including business partners like Coach and select celebrities she's worked with, like Cardi B. Her best friend Taylor Swift, is among Gomez's followed accounts as well. However, some have speculated the reason Lovato unfollowed her Princess Protection Program co-star are linked to comments she made about the "Solo" singer in Elle magazine.
On November 15, fans blamed Lovato's management for firing her backup dancer Dani Vitale.
"It was completely unfair to fire Dani, she's one of the few who really cares about Demi's health and has been helping her for 3 years, she's surrounded by people who only care about her money and she does not see it," a tweet shared via Instagram read. In turn, the Instagram photo's caption read: "The demi team is so rotten and she does not realize it, needs a total change, mainly from dancers pretending to be friends like @d...... and others."
Lovato quickly pointed out the fan's assumptions were wrong, writing: "You have no idea what you're talking about." She then added, "True friends don't do interviews about you when you OD."
Lovato's former trainer Danielle Martin, in fact, spoke about her overdose in a November 15 interview with Radar Online. "I lost my job for speaking up for her, to be honest. Pretty sad. I did nothing but empower her," Martin said. "Nothing bad to say. The people around her I'm sure were happy to run to her. They told her I was taking the situation and making it all about me. I'd never do that. Not ever. I was standing up for her. That's all."
In September, Gomez addressed Lovato's relapse. While she didn't elaborate, the "Wolves" singer shared her support for the recovering star. "All I'm saying is, I reached out personally. I didn't do a public thing. I didn't want to. I…I love her. I've known her since I was 7. So…it's…that's what I'll say," she said to Elle.
Gomez's comments quickly made headlines. She later spoke out against Elle in an Instagram post where she asserted Lovato wasn't the "purpose" of the feature.
"I understand that reporters are working to grab the attention of a reader, however, I will always work to ensure that what is public represents my truth," Gomez wrote. "I'm a bit bummed but rarely surprised. Y'all know me and my heart. I can't help it. So I'll post some of MY photos from the collection and work with A21. My heart."
The Camp Rock star's friends have been quiet about her overdose, but Vitale has addressed Lovato's health before. Vitale defended herself in August after fans suggested she was responsible for Lovato's overdose. She also broke her silence in July after fans attacked people close to the pop songstress.
"I care about Demi just like all of you do," she wrote in July via Instagram. "I have not said anything about this situation until now because her recovery has been of the most importance...There is no need for any negativity towards the ones who care about Demi at this time. There is too much of it in this world as it is."
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Dory Jackson is a New York-based entertainment journalist from Maryland. She graduated from Randolph-Macon College—in May 2016—with a focus in Communication ... Read more
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