Demi Lovato Defends Her Sexy Makeover: You’re No Longer Getting ‘Insecure Demi’

Demi Lovato worked hard for these arms — and legs — and she’s gonna show ‘em off. (Photo: Getty Images)

Don’t hate Demi Lovato because she’s “Confident.”

It’s been an uphill battle when it comes to the singer feeling comfortable in her own skin. Now that she does and she’s showing more of it, she’s getting crap for it.

“I’ll have people who are like, ‘Stop talking about eating disorders. Like, we get it. You struggled. Now shut up,’” the 23-year-old songstress, who sought treatment for bulimia, cutting, and substance abuse in 2010, told Allure in its February issue. “I’m sure they get tired of reading about it, because I get tired of talking about it, but this summer I started wearing sexier stuff, and I got some hate for that — like, 'You’ve changed.’ It’s like, What’s wrong with being confident enough to wear this?”

Demi, pictured here in 2013, used to be more covered up onstage. (Photo: Getty Images)

The singer, who has been on a fitness kick for the last few years and has seen great results, has turned up the heat on her wardrobe over the last six months. She’s been rocking a lot of leather, low-cut tops, tanks, short hemlines, and hot pants. Hey, if you got it flaunt it, right?

“I’ve never felt as confident in my skin as I do today,” said Lovato, who has been dating Wilmer Valderrama for about six years. “A year ago, on tour, almost every inch of my body was covered by clothing, and it was because I was hiding behind so many layers. Once I started feeling better about myself, I felt better about showing more skin.”

She continued, “I have insecurities about my arms, so to wear a tank top on stage is extremely liberating for me, and uncomfortable sometimes. It’s also a statement, like, 'Hey, watch out. You’re no longer getting the insecure Demi that you’ve been getting for the past couple of years. I mean business now.’”

Investing in yourself pays dividends.