Demi Lovato Says Becoming Famous Was 'Bittersweet': 'All I Wanted, and It Was Miserable'

The Disney Channel alum opened up to Teen Vogue about their new doc 'Child Star' for the publication's September cover

Demi Lovato is candidly reflecting on finding fame at a young age, which she now calls "bittersweet."

Speaking with Teen Vogue for the publication's September cover, the 32-year-old Disney Channel alum and two-time Grammy nominee (who uses she/they pronouns) detailed her forthcoming documentary Child Star and how they now look back at that period of their life.

“I knew right out the gate that it was a challenging aspect to my life,” Lovato said of child stardom. "It was bittersweet because it was all I wanted, and it was miserable.”

As Lovato explained, she was years into a “grueling schedule" by the time 2010's Camp Rock 2 rolled around — a sequel to the 2008 Disney Channel smash that also came during their starring role in Disney sitcom Sonny with a Chance.

"I thought, Nobody actually cares. I was isolated. I was lonely. I was essentially miserable, and I treated people poorly because of that," they said, while referring to how they behaved towards others as a teen with newfound fame.

Related: Demi Lovato Reacts to Younger Sister Madison De La Garza's Pregnancy News: 'Love You So Much'

As previously reported, Child Star marks Lovato's directorial debut and features insight and footage of other former child stars including Drew Barrymore, JoJo Siwa, Kenan Thompson, Raven-Symoné, Christina Ricci and Alyson Stoner as they reflect on their own journeys.

“It felt like a separate self [that fans cheered for], which is why I never fully accepted the validation I was receiving,” Lovato told Teen Vogue of her role as a child idol in the late '00s.

“It felt like I had an imposter syndrome situation going on where… because I was placed in this position as this role model, people are only seeing the good sides of me," they added. "They don't see me partying with my friends, blacking out on the weekends. So I knew the whole time that they were cheering for a façade, and it felt empty.”

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Lovato also caught up with PEOPLE about the documentary, which they explained focuses on their experience realizing that "my career is completely separate from my identity."

"It was entangled and enmeshed when I was younger because my brand was such a huge part of who I was at the time. I confused the two, and I was so young that I wasn't able to separate the difference between what my brand was and who I was as a person," Lovato said. "But as I've gotten older... knowing how to differentiate the two has been one of the biggest lessons that I've learned in my life, and I no longer value my success or equate my success with self-worth."

As the "Confident" singer now shares, they've "been very, very honest" and "demonstrated that vulnerability throughout my life. I've shared a lot with people, and I've realized that my experiences don't define me."

Lovato also spoke with PEOPLE about the "relationships in my life" bringing her peace these days, including her relationship with fiancé Jordan 'Jutes' Lutes. The pair got engaged in December 2023 after going public with their relationship in August 2022.

"First and foremost, my fiancé, but my best friends, my family, my dogs... I value and I cherish love so much in my life. It means more to me than anything because that's really truly what life is about: love," she added.

Child Star, directed by Lovato and Nicola Marsh, premieres on Hulu on Sept. 17.

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