Demi Lovato Opened Up About Her "Introspective Year" In Her First Major Interview Since Her Overdose

"I've learned a lot, been through a lot."

In July of last year, Demi Lovato was hospitalized after a suspected overdose.

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Shortly after, the singer — who has been open about her addictions to drug and alcohol in the past — told fans, "What I've learned is that this illness is not something that disappears or fades with time. It is something I must continue to overcome and have not done yet."

Now in her first interview since her relapse, the 27-year-old got candid about her "introspective year," sharing thoughts about self-love, inner strength, mental health, and more.

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"I've learned a lot, been through a lot," Demi said at the Teen Vogue Summit. "We hear the term 'body positivity' all the time. To be honest, I don't always feel positive about my body. Sometimes I do not like what I see. I don't sit there and dwell on it. I also don't lie to myself."

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"I used to look in the mirror if I was having a bad body image day and say, 'I love my body, you're beautifully and wonderfully made.' But I didn't believe it. I don't have to lie to myself and tell myself I have an amazing body. All I have to say is 'I'm healthy.' In that statement, I express gratitude."

"I am grateful for my strength and things I can do with my body. I am saying 'I'm healthy,' and I accept the way my body is today without changing anything."

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Demi added that she thinks the eating disorder she dealt with "for so many years" and "an unhealthy extreme" with her workouts at the gym are "what led me down a darker path — I was still engaging in these behaviors."

The "Sorry Not Sorry" singer continued, saying, "Over the past five years I've learned life is not worth living unless you're living for yourself. If you're trying to be someone you're not, or you're trying to please other people, it's not going to work out in the long run," she said.

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"If you want to dye your hair purple, dye your hair purple. If you want to love someone of the same sex, love someone of the same sex. Be yourself and don't be afraid of what people think."

Demi also talked about how social media affects her, sharing, "What people don't realize is I'm an extremely sensitive person."

When someone says something mean about me or makes a meme making fun of me, I have a good sense of humor. But when it's a very serious subject it can be hurtful. Even if you have an account that's like 'ImaDemiFan,' that's the name, and you leave one comment that said 'You look like Lord Farquaad with that hair,' I'm like, 'Damn, that kind of sucks.' I'm so tired of pretending I'm not human. When you say stuff, it affects me. I try not to look, but I see it. When I'm able to see both sides, it pulls me out from zeroing in on the negative. But I'm human and I think that's important to remember.

"What I see in the mirror [is] someone that's overcome a lot. I've been through a lot and I genuinely see a fighter. I don't see a championship winner, but I see a fighter and someone who is going to continue to fight no matter what is thrown their way," she continued.

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"I have a lot of confidence now because I have said the things I believe in. I know I can hold my own on a first date with someone, in a conversation with someone. That's what I see when I look in the mirror — a strong woman."

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That's who we see too! Thanks for being so open about your journey and speaking your truth! ❤️❤️❤️

You can read the rest of Demi's interview, along with more from the Teen Vogue Summit here.