Falling with Wings
Page 27
“It’s a big night,” she said, smiling.
For a second, we both locked eyes and didn’t say anything. Memories flooded past in nanoseconds. I saw Demi at five, singing “My Heart Will Go On” at the school talent show; at seven, belting out “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile” during her first pageant; and just a few years ago, singing “This Is Me” in Camp Rock. And there were flashes of that first solo tour she kicked off in Hershey, Pennsylvania, and her first live award-show appearance after rehab, when she sang “Skyscraper.” All roads had led to this night.
“You’re gonna do amazing,” I told her. And with that, she thanked me and disappeared.
Even though I was excited, I felt a twinge of disappointment. The one person who should have been with us wasn’t. Eddie, still working in the music industry, was back in Texas, helping his new country artist, George Navarro, get ready for a round of record label visits in Nashville. But I knew Eddie deserved to be here, and it was breaking my heart that he wasn’t around to see Demi playing before a sellout crowd at the Staples Center. I shot off a text telling him: “It’s just not the same without you here!”
He responded by telling me to shoot videos and send them to him. I felt like crying, but I wouldn’t let it ruin my evening. About five minutes later, Demi’s security guard, Sugar, a sweetheart of a teddy bear and total New Yorker, burst through the door.
“Look what I found,” he shouted. Right behind him, carrying a small travel backpack and dressed in his favorite light-blue shirt and jeans, was Eddie. I screamed and pounced on him. “But you just texted me…” I protested.
“Did you really think I’d miss this night?” He grinned.
* * *
The backstage area was filled with people from Hollywood Records, and I quickly spied Stacy and Lillian, two of my favorites because we always talked about each other’s latest pieces of jewelry or Lillian’s latest Louis Vuitton item. That night we laughed and giggled like kids, sharing stories about the early days, when Demi was only fifteen. There was a lot of jubilation about how far she had come. And the visitors kept arriving. Phil McIntyre and his family, Judy Taylor from Disney, Cathryn Sullivan and Jennifer Patredis from Texas, and Sarah Jones, a longtime friend of the family since our Camp Rock days, were just a few. In all, some fifty people showed up to visit that night before the show. There were so many memories and so much love that it felt like family. Before Demi took the stage, we all held hands and prayed.
“Dear God,” Demi began, “touch our voices, our bodies, and our instruments. Let us inspire. Let us entertain. Let us relay your message to those who need it tonight. And let us help people forget their problems for a while. In Jesus’s name, amen.”
After she finished, we all placed our hands in the center, one on top of the other, and shouted, “STAPLES CENTER!!!”
As Eddie and I walked to take our seats in the sound booth, located in the middle of the audience, I couldn’t help but utter my own silent prayer of gratitude. Thanks, God, for seeing her through the fire. When I looked up, I saw a montage of photos and videos flashing on the big screen. It ended with the words: ARE YOU READY? My spine tingled. I quickly scanned to make sure Dallas and Madison were there, too. It seemed important that we, as a family, watched together.
This was not just Demi’s crowning moment. We all had made the journey with her; we all had suffered and grown along the way. Each of us was a winner, and that night I was just as proud of my other two daughters, who were discovering new dreams of their own to follow. Dallas was thriving in voice-over work and becoming a sought-after acting coach, while Madison, still pursuing acting roles, also aspired to be a writer, producer, and director. None of us had given up on each other or ourselves.
* * *
Demi and Travis opened as planned, but that wasn’t the highlight of the night. Song after song, the crowd sang along, and during “My Love Is Like a Star,” everyone activated the lights to their phones and waved them in the dark. I felt like I was floating under the stars. But the most memorable moment came when Demi sang “This Is Me.” After she finished the first verse, Joe Jonas suddenly walked onstage. As he burst into the line, “You’re the voice I hear inside my head,” the crowd exploded with cheers. Off to my right, next to the sound booth, I spied a young girl waving a Camp Rock backpack at me. I couldn’t resist slipping out of my seat and giving her a big hug. She, like so many others, had made our family’s wild and crazy adventure possible.
As the crowd continued to roar, I tried to take it all in. The screaming, the applause, the flashing cameras—it was so genuine, so heartwarming. And I knew in that moment that life had come full circle. Oh, I knew there would be challenges ahead, but tonight was worth celebrating. After all that we had been through, we had survived. Our family bond was unbroken. Our faith was still strong. And our mental health, thanks to therapy, was better than it ever had been. Despite falling so hard and so low, we had restored our wings and were ready to fly toward a better and brighter future.
AFTERWORD
After sharing my story, I sincerely hope that families everywhere, especially mothers and daughters, begin a dialogue about mental-health issues. It’s time to lift the stigma and banish the secrets about issues like anorexia, anxiety, cutting, addiction, depression, and bipolar disorder. And it’s certainly time to start treating such issues with the same urgency and care that medical communities do when fighting cancer or other life-threatening disorders. In the end, whether one is a housewife or a Hollywood star, treatment should be available to everyone who needs it. The well-being of our nation and the world depends upon it.
I am thankful and proud to say that everyone in our family is doing amazingly well, thanks to the help we have received from treatment centers, ongoing therapy, our faith, and the support of friends and family. After all the trials and tribulations we’ve been through, we all have come through as winners. My greatest joy is seeing that we have remained strong as a family unit, and we continue to gather to celebrate holidays and personal achievements. As a proud mom, I’d like to share that Demi’s career continues to unfold in new directions, which include her 2017 Grammy nomination and her appearances at various mental-health symposiums. Dallas, still coaching, has also completed some course work in fashion and costume design and hopes to grow her new business venture of embellishing clothes with colorful splashes of glitter, sequins, and feathers. And Madison, still pursuing acting, now has a presence on AwesomenessTV and is writing a digital media series for YouTube. While Eddie continues to break new ground for his country artist, George Navarro, I’m branching out to embrace my love of public speaking and pursue my interest in movie production.
To aid you in your own search for assistance with many of the mental-health issues mentioned in my book, I’ve compiled the following list of resources. It is my wish that you, too, may find help and healing on your journey.
Xoxoxoxo,
Dianna De La Garza
RESOURCES
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
www.aa.org
CAST CENTERS
(Therapy, case management, crisis management, interventions, and sober companions)
www.castcenters.com
1-866-283-9885
DEPRESSION AND BIPOLAR SUPPORT ALLIANCE
www.dbsalliance.org
1-800-826-3632
HELPGUIDE.ORG
(Information and resources on various mental and emotional health topics)
www.helpguide.org
MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA
www.mentalhealthamerica.net
1-800-969-6642
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
(Learn about the basics of mental health, treatment options, disorders, symptoms, and how to get help)
www.mentalhealth.org
NAR-ANON FAMILY GROUPS
(Meeting lists and literature for relatives and friends who are concerned about the addictions or drug problems of another)
www.nar-anon.org
; NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS
www.NA.org
NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS (NAMI)
www.nami.org
1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ANOREXIA NERVOSA AND ASSOCIATED DISORDERS
www.anad.org
630-577-1330
NATIONAL EATING DISORDERS ASSOCIATION (NEDA)
www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
1-800-931-2237
NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE
www.drugabuse.gov
NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
THE NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE
www.thehotline.org
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
www.samhsa.gov
1-877-726-4727
TIMBERLINE KNOLLS
(Treatment center for women with eating disorders, addictions, mood disorders, trauma, and/or PTSD)
www.timberlineknolls.com
1-844-335-1932
SUICIDE PREVENTION RESOURCE CENTER
www.sprc.org
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Years ago, I had a dream that one day I would publish a book so that I could share my family’s journey with the world. Today, that dream has come true, thanks to so many people. Never let anyone tell you that you are “too young,” “too old,” “too busy,” or “too inexperienced” to do anything, because I am living proof that you can accomplish any goal you choose in life. But I had a lot of help along the way, and I want to thank these people sincerely from the bottom of my heart.
Thank you, Phil McIntyre, my daughter Demi’s longtime manager at Philymack, for jump-starting this project by introducing me to Simon Green at CAA, who became my amazing literary agent. Without the two of you, this book would never have happened. You were the start of my story becoming a real, tangible manuscript, not just an idea. And I am grateful to you both. Also thank you, Danielle McMonagle, Simon Green’s assistant, for your editorial advice, and Reece Pearson, COO at Philymack, for being my intermediary with CAA. I am sincerely thankful for both of you.
To Vickie McIntyre, my incredibly talented co-writer who agreed to embark on this long, hard process with me. This wouldn’t be a book if it weren’t for you. How many laughs and tears did we share during those frequent book-writing sessions down in the “dungeon”? I lost track after the first year. You stood by this project, never wavering, even through my losing five close family members in one year, giving me the time I needed to grieve and then get back to work as soon as I possibly could. You were my therapist, my interrogator, and my beloved friend during the process, and I will forever be indebted to you for not giving up on me. You managed to arrange my thoughts and stories into this perfectly shaped memoir that I can now share with the world. I thank you with my whole heart, nothing less. You are incredible. I love you.
I also want to thank you, Jean Feiwel, publisher and senior VP at Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, for believing in my book from the beginning. I cannot tell you how honored I am that someone as accomplished as you thought my story was worthy of your attention and approval. Thank you for your faith in me as a storyteller. I appreciate you so very much. Anna Roberto, editor at Feiwel and Friends, you are amazing, patient, and kind. Thank you for answering my barrage of questions with ease, and for making sure this book is the best it could possibly be. I can’t ever thank you enough for your attention to detail and your willingness to help in every aspect. You are amazing.
The hardest part is finding the words to thank my incredible family. To Eddie DeLaGarza, my husband, I first want to thank you for loving us and taking care of us as a family, but I also want to thank you for being so supportive of this book and all my creative endeavors. You are my rock, my soul mate, and my best friend. I hope we are able to push our beds together in the nursing home when we are old and hold hands like Grandma and Papa did—and I’ll even let you have the remote! But only on Tuesdays. I love you for the rest of our lives.
Dallas Lovato, my oldest daughter, thank you for your love and kindness, as well as all of your help with everyday things that I couldn’t do while I was spending hours on this story. I also appreciate your help with remembering so many details that I couldn’t, especially with our family’s insanely LONG time line that served as the outline for the book. You’ve had this incredible spirit of resilience since your first day on Earth that I expect will get you through the roughest of times. You are an inspiration to those around you. Never stop wearing sequins and rhinestones, and never stop being your wonderful self. I love you forever.
Demi Lovato, my middle child, you have come through the fire without even the smell of smoke on your clothing. I am incredibly proud of who you’ve become. Your life hasn’t always been easy, but if it had been, your music probably wouldn’t touch so many lives across the world today. Thank you for the love and support you show me every day, and thank you for trusting me to tell this story in hopes of helping people who may be walking the same path we did. They need to know that a happy ending is possible if they are willing to work for it. I love you so very much.
Madison De La Garza, my youngest daughter, I thank you for your love and for your faith in me as a writer, something you aspire to be one day. I have a connection with you because of our love for creating stories, whether for movies or books. Your approval of this memoir means the world to me, as I have been inspired by you to create something that will last through the ages. I know without a doubt that one day you will do the same. Never stop challenging yourself, because there is no limit to what you will accomplish in this lifetime. I love you sincerely.
To my mom and dad, I thank you for instilling in me that thread of faith that has been entwined into every aspect of my life. We didn’t always have money, but we had something way more valuable—LOVE. And our faith in God has and will continue to see us through the hardest of times. Without your love and guidance, who knows where my path would have led me in life? I thank you both with all my heart for loving me.
Amy Emory, thank you for being my friend and for supporting this book from the first day. I sincerely appreciate your taking my place at school events when I was writing and unable to volunteer, and thank you for the housework help when I was overwhelmed. I love you, my “Cali BFF.”
Lorna Bailey, you have been an inspiration to me during my hardest times. Thank you for your love and support, and for showing me that even in the midst of the most unimaginable tragedies, it’s possible to pick yourself up and keep going. Trenton, our angel, would be proud of this book. I love you to the moon and back.
Dawn Burkett, my Louisiana friend and partner in future crimes, you have been such a help to me. Your spirit of giving of your time to help whenever I’m in need is inspiring, and I’m grateful to you forever. Ms. Gayle raised a beautiful soul. I love you dearly.
Thank you, my siblings Joey Hart, Julie Moe, Brandon Hart, and BJ Hart, for your love and support and for being an important part of my story. I’m proud of each of you and your sweet families, and I love you all. Special thanks to my sister, Katherine Barnes, because throughout all your struggles, you have been an inspiration to me. Every time I felt like quitting because we had to attend yet another loved one’s funeral, you would call or text, “Hey, how’s that book going?” like it was just what I was SUPPOSED to do in this lifetime. You’ve been through so much, and yet you never stopped encouraging ME. I can’t wait for you to hold this book in your hands while we sit by the ocean and read together. I love you more than you know.
To my attorney, Paul Almond, thank you for everything you do for me. You are a superhero without a cape. To Dr. Kim Dennis, thank you for being a huge part of my recovery. I will always be grateful to you. Additionally, thanks to my friends Richard Martinez, Melody Fowler, Kris Smalling, Cindy Howard, and Vanessa Porea for supporting my book. I am truly blessed to have some amazing friends.
I have so many more
friends and relatives who have supported my book wholeheartedly, but I just can’t name them all here. But you know who you are, and I will be thanking you in person, if I haven’t already. And, I want to express my gratitude to all of the parents who have come up to me at events and concerts and asked, “How did you all do it? How did you get through everything you’ve dealt with as a family and survive, especially in this industry?” You are the ones who inspired me to write this book, because many times I thought to myself, Oh, I wish I had my book written and I could just hand them one. I hope that if any of you are reading this, you realize that you are the reason I wrote this story. Thank you all sincerely.
Follow us on Facebook or visit us online at mackids.com.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Dianna De La Garza, born and raised in Texas, is a former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader and country music recording artist who opened for music greats like George Strait, Reba McEntire, and Hank Williams, Jr. As mother of three daughters who were interested in show business, De La Garza also served as pep coach, adviser, and manager to her children. Her youngest, Madison De La Garza, was a series regular on Desperate Housewives, playing the daughter of Eva Longoria’s character. Her middle daughter, Demi Lovato, is a multiplatinum recording artist and former Disney actress, best known for appearing in Camp Rock, Princess Protection Program, and Sonny with a Chance. Her oldest daughter, Dallas Lovato, is currently an acting coach in the Los Angeles area and a voice actress. In addition to being a mom and author, De La Garza is also a well-known speaker who conducts parent seminars around the country about the perks and pitfalls of helping children pursue Hollywood careers. You can sign up for email updates here.
@DiannaDeLaGarza
Vickie McIntyre, a Pennsylvania native now living in Los Angeles, was a high school English teacher for many years at the Grier School, a private boarding school for girls, before becoming a freelance writer. Although this is her first book, she was a contributing writer for several regional magazines about life in Central Pennsylvania, including Town&Gown, State College Magazine, and Pawsitively Pets. You can sign up for email updates here.