Demi Lovato's music video evolution from rock royalty to honest storyteller.
Screengrab via YouTube

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Demi Lovato's Music Video Evolution From Rock Royalty To Honest Storyteller

It’s not been an easy journey for the former Disney star.

by Steffanee Wang and Claire Valentine

It has not been an easy journey for Demi Lovato, who grew up in Disney’s harsh spotlight. Yet, over the years, Lovato’s funneled their struggles into their art, creating vibrant self-love anthems and striking moments of vulnerability. Here, we track the evolution from their rock royalty beginnings to their current status as pop’s most honest storyteller.

“Get Back” (2008)

Tiny red leather gloves and a Brooklyn Bridge backdrop declare that Demi is here to rock.

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“La La Land” (2008)

An early foray into Lovato’s honest storytelling skewers the vapid Hollywood culture of the early to mid aughts.

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“Remember December” (2010)

In which Demi takes scene downtown.

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“Skyscraper” (2011)

A stripped-down Demi shows off their raw, emotional vocals.

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“Give Your Heart A Break” (2012)

Demi’s growing up — and exploring the complexities of long-term romantic relationships.

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“Heart Attack” (2013)

Demi’s mega-smash gets a sleek video to match.

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“Really Don’t Care” ft. Cher Lloyd (2014)

Demi’s video, filmed at Los Angeles Pride, celebrates the LGBTQ+ community and snatches our wigs at the same damn time.

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“Cool For The Summer” (2015)

Demi found her groove with this steamy bop that’s full of strobe lights, sexy thrashing, and lots of club grinding. Don’t tell your mother!

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“Confident” (2015)

Demi teams up with Fast & the Furious’ Michelle Rodriguez for this spy thriller music video that’s wholly too much and not enough.

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“Sorry Not Sorry” (2017)

The artist throws a massive mansion party and we all wish we were invited.

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“Tell Me You Love Me” (2017)

Released a year after Lovato’s breakup with Wilmer Valderrama, this Lifetime movie-esque video shows Lovato getting left at the altar by none other than Jackson Avery of Grey’s Anatomy. Decode that how you will.

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“Echame La Culpa” - Luis Fonsi (2017)

This may not be Demi’s video, but it is one of their most iconic — thanks to that Selena Quintanilla perm and that firetruck red nightie.

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“I Love Me” (2020)

One of Demi’s first releases after their 2018 overdose and hiatus, “I Love Me” includes a scene of them fighting themself, as well as Easter eggs alluding to Camp Rock, the Jonas Brothers, and other moments from their career.

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“Dancing With The Devil” (2021)

Demi’s most recent video is also their most harrowing; it depicts the stark before, during, and after of their 2018 overdose.

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