NBC Reportedly Censored Demi Lovato’s 2020 Billboard Music Awards Performance

Demi Lovato's performance of her new song “Commander in Chief” at the 2020 Billboard Music Awards was reportedly supposed to look a little different than what aired on NBC during the show.

The possible censoring of Lovato came at the end of her performance. In raw footage obtained by TMZ, you can clearly see the word vote displayed on huge screens behind Lovato. But the version that aired ended with a close-up of the singer at the piano, without the “vote” messaging. (You can see both videos here.)

It's also clear from still images that “vote” was present.

Sources told TMZ that NBC got rid of the “vote” display because “the song itself was a slam on Trump and the ‘VOTE’ message was a call to vote against him.”

But NBC did tweet an image that shows the message.

The song is very clearly about President Donald Trump, with lyrics like “Commander in Chief, honestly / If I did the things you do / I couldn't sleep, seriously / Do you even know the truth?/ We're in a state of crisis, people are dyin' / While you line your pockets deep / Commander in Chief, how does it feel to still / Be able to breathe?”

Lovato has also been responding to comments on Instagram criticizing her for getting political. “You do understand as a celebrity, I have a right to political views as well?” she wrote.

Lovato also doesn't care what impact this has on her future—she said what she wanted to say. “Or did you forget that we aren't just around to entertain people for our entire lives,” she said, per Billboard. “That we are citizens of the same country and we are humans with opinions as well? The difference between me and the type of artist you WANT and EXPECT me to be, (but I'm sorry honey that will never BE me) I literally don't care if this ruins my career.”

NBC and Lovato have yet to comment on the alleged censoring of the performance.

Originally Appeared on Glamour