Demi Lovato's Dad Speaks Out

Demi Lovato's dad says he warned his ex-wife about the pressures of Hollywood.

The unexpected news of 18-year-old Demi Lovato checking into rehab for "emotional and physical issues" is a result of Hollywood pressure the former Disney-kid has faced for years, her father says.

Patrick Lovato tells RadarOnline.com, "There are a lot of pressures. That is one of the things I worried about when she signed with Disney."

Yesterday, TMZ reported the singer is not seeking treatment for drug use. Sources told RadarOnline that Demi has endured emotional issues from being bullied, cutting herself and body image issues.

The elder Lovato says the showbiz pressure is "just going to happen" as part of the celebrity lifestyle, but thinks his daughter will make it through in one piece. "She'll be fine," he says. "She's strong alright."

Patrick and Demi's mother, Dianna, whose marriage ended in 1994, were both performers during Demi's childhood. "We each played in a band and we toured all over the United States and Canada and our oldest daughter, Dallas, went with us. I could see then what the pressures would be like for a child on tour because it was hard on Dallas, too," Patrick says. He thinks Demi's decision to go into acting and singing came from watching her parents. "She grew up around it, so I guess that's why she went into it; I guess it's in her genes with her mom and her dad."

Patrick says he has been hospitalized for two months with cancer and hasn't seen Demi, so his knowledge of her current situation is limited. Asked if Demi has battled problems with cutting, his answer was, "I can't say."

It's been some time since Patrick spoke to his daughter, as well. "It's been a couple of months. I've had cancer, I just got out [of the hospital]," he says. "She hasn't visited, she's been too busy, she's been way too busy."

The Disney star's rep released a statement yesterday saying, "Demi Lovato left her tour early this weekend in order to seek medical treatment for emotional and physical issues she has dealt with for some time. Demi has decided to take personal responsibility for her actions and seek help. She is doing just that."

A source close to Lovato told TMZ a physical altercation between the singer and a female member of her tour was the catalyst in her decision to enter treatment.

Earlier this year, Lovato dated Joe Jonas for several months before the two called in quits in May.

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