Patrick Lovato says his daughter, Demi Lovato, is going to be “fine,” following her admission to a treatment facility for what her rep said on Monday are “emotional and physical issues.”
The Disney’s star’s dad, whom she reportedly has been estranged from for years, told Access Hollywood that he hasn’t talked to his daughter “since this summer,” but “she is going to be fine.”
Stressing that Demi is not being treated for drugs or alcohol, Patrick said his daughter’s foray into the entertainment industry has always been a concern.
“I’ve always worried about her since she got into this career,” he told Access on Tuesday. “I just know how difficult this is.”
Demi has been in show business for most of her life – including a stint on “Barney & Friends,” and her dad said he has worried about the stresses that have been placed on the young woman over the years.
“When you’re a little kid, and she was when she started, there were so many demands put on her… I’m surprised she’s lasted this long,” he said.
Patrick said he was waiting on a call from Demi’s mom, his ex-wife — former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader Dianna Hart de la Garza — to inform him about Demi’s condition.
Last year, Demi issued a statement to the media insisting she and her father were estranged after he reportedly suggested otherwise.
“We still are (estranged). It’s not exactly how he made it out to be. It didn’t have the fairy tale ending that he portrayed. The last time I talked to him was two years ago,” she said at the time.
“You try to have faith in somebody, even when you’re the last person that believes in him. But when somebody lets you down after you’ve been the only one there for them, and so many times, you don’t know what to do,” her statement continued. “I had to cut off all connection. It was hurting me too much.”
As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, Demi quit the Jonas Brothers tour to enter a treatment facility over the weekend.
“Demi has decided to take personal responsibility for her actions and seek help,” her rep told Access in a statement . “She is doing just that and Demi and her family ask that the media please respect their privacy during this difficult time.”
On Saturday, the actress/singer bailed out on opening for the JoBros in Peru due to health reasons, according to a sign posted outside the venue, and posted on Twitter by the Disney star’s fans.
E! News reported that Demi was having a hard time on the JoBros tour as she used to date Joe Jonas, who is now linked to “Twilight Saga” beauty Ashley Greene.
“After she split with Joe, it was just a whole bunch of drama, very awkward. Everyone tried to be professional, but you could tell it was wearing down Demi. It was a taboo subject to bring up, but clearly she wasn’t over Joe,” a source told the website, noting the Disney star was nicknamed “Demi Drama” on the tour.
On Monday, TMZ reported that Demi reportedly got involved in an altercation with a female member of the JoBros tour, and E! News reported on Tuesday that the incident was allegedly with a backup dancer at the airport in Peru – the stop Demi left the tour on citing “health reasons.”
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