Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato is continuing to open up about her recent stint in rehab and the basis for her stay there.

First, the singer/actress admitted she's battled an eating disorder for years, later adding that she's cut herself since the age of 11 and is leaving Sonny with a Chance to battle these demons.

Now, the 18-year is opening up again to the public, making an admission to People: "I never found out until I went into treatment that I was bipolar," she tells the magazine. "There were times when I was so manic, I was writing seven songs in one night and I'd be up until 5:30 in the morning."

Last week, Catherine Zeta-Jones sought professional help for the same disease, as Demi Tweeted her support of that star. She says she's taking positive steps in her life to turn things around.

"I feel like I am in control now where my whole life I wasn't in control... What's important for me now is to help others."

[Photo: WENN.com]

Demi Lovato is leaving Sonny With a Chance, the show that's made her a star on the Disney Channel. She'll instead focus on her pop career - and recovery.

Given the actress sought treatment recently for "physical and emotional issues," and confessed to cutting herself since age 11, a change might do her good.

"It made sense for me to go ahead and leave the show to focus on my music," Lovato tells People. "It's sad for me that a chapter of my life has ended."

"However, there couldn't be a better time for me to move on."

The "nervous breakdown" she suffered last October while touring with the Jonas Brothers - an episode that led her to check into rehab is still fresh in her mind.

"I don't think going back to Sonny would be healthy for my recovery," admitted the 18-year-old actress. "Being in front of a camera would make me nervous."

In a frank interview with ABC's Good Morning America and 20/20 set to air Friday, Lovato acknowledges a lifelong struggle with an eating disorder and cutting.

Hopefully she continues to get the help she needs to live a happier and healthier life, and moving on from Sonny With a Chance is the best means to do so.

[Photo: WENN.com]

We've known Demi Lovato is a "cutter," but the recent revelation that she began to slit her wrists and mutilate herself at age 11 is startling.

Now 18, Demi opened up to 20/20 about her recent stint in a treatment center, where she was treated for cutting, bulimia and emotional issues.

Cutting is "a way of expressing my own shame, of myself, on my own body," according to Demi, who adds she's been overeating since age eight.

Demi Lovato has also experienced - and been shaped by - bullying.

"I've spoken openly about being bullied throughout the past few years," she says.

"But one thing that I've never been able to feel comfortable talking about was the effects that it had on my life, afterward. I didn't know why they were being so mean to me. And when I would ask them why, they would just say, 'Well, you're fat."

Her torment turned into a lifelong disease, and one dangerous habit after another.

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For the first time since she entered and exited rehab, Demi Lovato has opened up about one of the main reasons for ending up there: she has struggled for years with bulimia.

"I don't think there's going to be a day when I don't think about food or my body," the 18-year old says in the latest issue of Seventeen. "But I'm living with it, and I wish I could tell young girls to find their safe place and stay with it."

Lovato admits there's no easy way to move on from this disorder. She says: "There have been times when I definitely have been tempted to get rid of my dinner. I will deal with it for the rest of my life because it's a life-long disease."

Does she have any advice for other teens out there?

"If you are going through that dark period, go to your family and closest friends. Don’t put yourself in danger... don’t ever inflict harm on your own body because your body is so sacred. I wish I could tell every young girl with an eating disorder, or who has harmed herself in any way, that she’s worthy of life and that her life has meaning. You can overcome and get through anything."

Salient words from a brave young star.

Oscar winner Sandra Bullock has donated $1 million to the American Red Cross to aid earthquake and tsunami victims in Japan, the charity confirms to CNN.

This is the largest celebrity donation to the Red Cross since the disaster, although the charity has received other big anonymous donations, it reports.

Other stars, such as Lady Gaga, have used social media to encourage fans to give, and it's paid off with $2.6 million in text message donations so far.

This is not the first time Bullock has donated to disaster relief efforts.

Last January, the star gave $1 million to Haiti following the tragic earthquake there. She also is a strong supporter of rebuilding efforts in New Orleans.

Her adopted son, Louis Bardot, also hails from that city.

It's nice to see Sandra and other stars use their status and resources for such important causes. Talk about setting a positive example for all of us.

UPDATE: Celebuzz reports that Demi Lovato has also donated $1 million to the cause, while holding up a sign that encourages others to give whatever they can.

For the first time, a pair of Jonas brothers have spoken out about long-time friend Demi Lovato.

The young female singer has been battling personal demons for months now, recently exiting rehab and thanking her fans via a new wrist tattoo.

When asked in the latest issue of Details about his ex, Joe Jonas was understandably quiet, simply telling the magazine: "I wish her the best."

However, as posted below, Nick Jonas was a little more open about Demi at a charity event for the Alzheimer's Association last night, saying: "I think that I'll always wish her the best and hope that she's had a good recovery and just all of our thoughts and prayers are with her."

Nick Jonas Talks Demi Lovato

It's the new rage across young Hollywood. Just look at Vanessa Hudgens here and Zac Efron here.

Now, Demi Lovato is the latest star to get newly inked.

In the following video, the recently-rehabbed singer talks about the basis behind her wrist tattoo, pointing to her fans and the outpouring of love they've shown her over the last few months.

Referring to tattoos that read "Stay" and "Strong," Lovato says they are "something that my fans actually were drawing on their wrists while I was still in treatment... so I wanted to show you guys that I will never forget the support that you gave me."

Demi Lovato Talks Tattoo

Demi Lovato has released a new video with one simple message: THANK YOU.

The singer/actress, who exited a treatment center in late January, doesn't go into detail regarding the reasons for her entry, simply stating "I was dealing with issues that I know not only girls just my age, but of all ages are dealing with."

But she does make it clear that supporters helped guide her through: "I can't tell you how much light you guys brought into my life in probably the darkest time of my life. Without you guys, I wouldn't be here today."

Demi Lovato Thank You Message

It's nice to hear that Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez are still BFFs.

It's not as comforting, however, to learn that the recently-released-from-rehab teen is also still seeing Wilmer Valderrama... and that the relationship could be turning series.

Rumors that these two were seeing each other first sprung up soon before Lovato entered a treatment facility in November.

Insiders now tell Perez Hilton that Demi and Wilmer have renewed their connection, as they were spotted at Sherman Oaks Galleria over the weekend, along with the Arclight Cinemas. Witnesses have also seen the pair getting cozy at Whole Foods in Tarzana.

Valderrama, a serial dater, has dated every young woman in Hollywood over the years, from Mila Kunis to Jennifer Love Hewitt to Mandy Moore to Lindsay Lohan. In other words: protect yourself, Demi.

Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato have not been pictured together in quite some time, for obvious, understandable reasons.

The former has been busy with Justin Bieber, the latter only recently left rehab.

But in a recent interview with a Spanish outlet called El Paradiario, Selena went out of her way to make it clear there's no beef between her and Demi. Quite the opposite, in fact.

“Many people believe that there is some rivalry between us, whether because of our ages, our music or the programs that we do," Gomez said. "But there is no rivalry. Demi and I have been friends since we were six-years-old, from when we first met while working on the TV show, Barney. She is my best friend.”

Very glad to hear it. We're sure Selena would join us in wishing Lovato continued health and happiness in light of her recent troubles.