Millions of teen girls wanted to trade places with Demi Lovato in the summer of 2008 after the actress starred as Mitchie Torres in the television movie “Camp Rock,” a Disney Channel musical that had her singing, dancing and acting alongside the year’s biggest teen heartthrobs, The Jonas Brothers. Playing a teenager who aspires to become a musician, was not much of a stretch for the young star, who had held a similar dream growing up. “Camp Rock” catapulted Lovato to teen icon status and Disney darling – the same way “Hannah Montana” (Disney Channel, 2006- ) made Miley Cyrus a superstar.
Demetria Devonne "Demi" Lovato was born on August 20, 1992 in Dallas, TX. One of three sisters, which included Dallas – also an actress and singer and five years her senior – and Madison, who was ten years younger. Lovato's mom was a professional cheerleader for the Dallas Cowboys and had a brief career as a country-recording artist. Lovato attended school in the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District, where she sang in the choir at Cross Timbers Middle School for three years. The young star competed and won various talent competitions and pageants in Texas, and was further exposed to entertainment when she was asked to perform at a Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day Halftime Show.
After the acting bug bit Lovato at the age of six, she soon found herself auditioning for a recurring role on “Barney & Friends” (PBS, 1992- ). During the auditions, Lovato met and befriended fellow actress Selena Gomez, who – along with Lovato – also became a regular on “Barney.” Over the years, the two became best friends; even going on to co-star in the Disney Channel movie, “Princess Protection Program” (2009). Lovato and Gomez also appeared in the third annual Disney Channel Games (2008), a competition-based series where the network’s teen stars battled each other in various games and obstacle courses.
Lovato’s career post-“Barney” consisted of appearances in the drama “Prison Break” (FOX, 2005- ) and in the Nickelodeon sitcom “Just Jordan” (2007- ). In January 2007, the former Texas pageant girl landed the role of Charlotte in “As The Bell Rings,” a Disney Channel short series. The wheels started turning fast for the young star after getting cast in the lead role in “Camp Rock,” the movie that many expected to surpass the ratings record previously held by “High School Musical 2” (Disney Channel, 2007). Though it ended up scoring some 12 million viewers over its premiere weekend and set in motion immediate plans for a sequel, it did not come close to touching the ratings set by "HSM2." “Camp Rock” was a fairy tale for the MySpace generation – a girl goes to a summer music camp, meets the boy of her dreams (played by heartthrob Joe Jonas), tries to fit in with the mean girl clique, and follows her heart all the way to the end-of-summer talent show. Along with showcasing her acting, singing and dancing abilities, she also demonstrated through Mitchie, a relatable and likeable charm.
The Mouse network touted Lovato as “The Next Big Thing” during a press conference held in New York in the spring of 2008. It was around this same time, that it was announced that she signed a recording contract with Hollywood Records, the label that had launched the careers of Hilary Duff, Jonas Brothers, and Miley Cyrus into the stratosphere. Like a few of her contemporaries, not only was she an actress and singer, but Lovato also played guitar and piano. Her musical talent and growing popularity earned her a spot touring with the Jonas Brothers in the summer of 2008 as well as beginning the recording of her debut album.
No dummies when it came to the tween set, Disney suits recognized a potential goldmine in yet another wholesome Disney Channel star. Thus, in September 2008, production started on Lovato’s very own TV series “Welcome to Mollywood,” where she played Molly, a 15-year-old girl who is discovered during a casting call and given her own sketch comedy show.