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Demi Lovato is addressing the buzz around her viral performance of "Heart Attack" at an American Heart Association event, explaining why she sang the 2013 hit at a heart health-focused gathering. The singer, 33, admitted that the song choice might have seemed unusual and revealed she had raised concerns before taking the stage.
"I want to say they asked me to sing that. Because I flagged it beforehand and was like, 'Um, isn't this like, not the vibe?' And they were like, 'No, they want to hear it,'" Lovato told the hosts of iHeartRadio's Elvis Duran Show on March 19. "I was like, 'Okay...' Then, of course people online were like, 'Why did she sing that?' I'm like, y'all, it wasn't me! I flagged it!"
The performance, which took place at the 2024 Go Red for Women Red Dress Collection event, quickly went viral. Fans pointed out the irony of singing "Heart Attack," a song that likens falling in love to a heart attack, at a charity event for cardiovascular awareness.
Lovato's team defended the performance at the time, emphasizing that it was meant to convey a meaningful message. "It was a sensitive moment intended to champion the women in the room — the very reason why Demi was at the event," the spokesperson told Entertainment Weekly.
On stage, Lovato shared why the song held personal meaning for her. She explained that it reflected the intense emotions of love and heartbreak, the importance of taking risks, and the courage to open oneself up again. For her, the performance mirrored her own journey and served as a reminder of the powerful connection between the mind, heart, and body.
Lovato is a heart attack survivor, having experienced one after a drug overdose in 2018. She went through a life-threatening ordeal that included three strokes, brain damage, pneumonia from asphyxiation, multiple organ failure, and lasting effects that prevent her from driving. The experience left her profoundly aware of her luck in surviving such a critical health crisis.
Reflecting on her journey, Lovato expressed what she would tell her younger self. She emphasized that despite the struggles of recovering from an eating disorder or maintaining sobriety, there is hope and light at the end of the tunnel. She noted that with perseverance, it is possible to find joy again and live a life beyond what one might have imagined during difficult times.
