Demi Lovato has discussed how they were afraid of what their career would be like without their "super sexy, hyper-feminine" image.
The "Dancing With The Devil" hitmaker recently announced they identify as non-binary and changed their pronouns to they/them.
The former Disney Channel actor opened up to transgender boxer Patricio Manuel on their new 4D With Demi Lovato podcast.
The singer explained that they could relate to Manuel feeling like his career as a boxer was holding him back from his truth.
"I was so afraid at times of what my career would look like if I wasn't that super sexy hyper-feminine popstar," they explained. "My career doesn't matter as much to me now as it does living my truth."
Lovato also said that since they have been open with the world about their identity they feel their music has been better understood.
"It's quite the opposite but now that I'm living my truth my art has just become that much greater because my art is a reflection of who I am," Lovato said. "So now that I'm able to be more transparent with the world, with who I am, they can see my art better and they hear it better."
Lovato has been open about the importance of embracing identity, revealing that they felt their 2018 overdose happened because they were ignoring their truth. They previously said that they felt they had been suppressing who they really are to please others.
The popstar announced news of their podcast alongside news they had changed their pronouns. At the time, they said the decision had come after a period of "healing & self-reflective work." They added that sharing the news opened "another level of vulnerability for me."
Lovato was met with an outpouring of support from fans on the back of the announcement with many hailing them as an inspiration.
In another episode of Lovato's podcast, the "Sorry Not Sorry" singer told actress Drew Barrymore about their desire to be "super sexy" after their time on Disney Channel.
The actor found global fame back in 2008, at the age of 15, when they starred in Camp Rock alongside the Jonas Brothers.
On the back of the success of the film, they were given a starring role in the channel's sitcom Sonny With a Chance, until it ended in 2011.
Lovato explained that they sought to distance themselves from their career as a child star and hoped the new image would change the narrative.
