Thrashing seductively in a pool is a part of growing up — at least when you’re Demi Lovato.
Lovato is undergoing the metamorphosis nearly all former Disney stars go through in their careers. She’s doing anything to shed associations to her former image.
This isn’t the first time a former Disney star worked hard to shed their image, and it certainly won’t be the last. What does vary, however, is the angle these former child stars use to show they’ve grown up.
In some scenarios, a former star uses a shock factor. Lovato’s peer, Miley Cyrus, twerked her way into ridding herself of her Hannah Montana past. Lovato seems to use a similar, but slightly more reserved, approach.
Lovato is seen going about her daily life in nothing more than a swimsuit. She’s posing in Kim Kardashian-esque nude photoshoots. She’s also quick to drop an F-bomb on Twitter should the opportunity arise.
Just like with Cyrus’ antics two years ago, Lovato’s whole #RebelHeart persona comes off as inauthentic. It doesn’t feel natural.
Lovato’s methods contrast with those of fellow former Disney starlet, Selena Gomez. While Lovato is seemingly trying to convince people she is a sexy adult, Gomez assumes everyone knows she already is.
Her performances are more subtle. Her music is more mid-tempo. Gomez gives off the feeling she doesn’t have to prove anything to anyone.
This confidence is evident in the music Gomez released thus far, the accompanying visuals and the interviews she’s given.
“I just wanna look good for you,” Gomez coos on her hit summer single, “Good For You.”
While Gomez’s new album is titled “Revival,” Lovato’s first album not affiliated with Disney is titled, “Confident,” but Lovato comes off as anything but confident.
With both Lovato’s and Gomez’s albums coming out within the next two weeks, it’s difficult to not compare the two and their respective brands.
The problem with Lovato is she geared her music toward troubled youth. Lovato went through a public battle with an eating disorder and body image issues in 2010. Shortly following her rehabilitation, she rebranded herself as a survivor for fans all over the world to look up to.
This persona came off as authentic, which can’t be said for her latest shenanigans. Lovato has a song with Iggy Azalea for God’s sake. Nothing about Azalea is genuine.
Growing up is hard to do. When you have millions of people watching your every move, I imagine it is more arduous.
Yet, we’ve seen other child stars grow up in a seemingly natural way.
For example, Taylor Swift broke into the music industry when she was a gawky 14-year-old. Since then, she’s grown up in front of the world. She may have traded in the prom dresses she wore to award shows for crop tops, but she never acted older — or younger — than she was.
She never tried to be sexy, or edgy. She just suddenly was.
Women owning their sexuality is wonderful and shouldn’t be frowned upon. Britney Spears seductively dancing with a python on stage at the 2001 Video Music Awards to “I’m a Slave 4 U” is the perfect example.
A woman or man — I’m looking at you, Nick Jonas — shouldn’t have to amp up their sex factor to convince people they’re an adult.
We get it. You have a lot of sex and you’re attractive. Now, please go put some clothes on.
John Gavin Harp is a 20-year-old mass communication junior from St. Francisville, Louisiana. You can reach him on Twitter @SirJohnGavin.