Demi Lovato was not a hit at the American Heart Association gala. The singer decided to perform her hit song "Heart Attack" during the ceremony, unleashing criticism from the audience, which, for the most part, was made up of heart attack survivors.
Demi Lovato singing 'Heart Attack' at an event for women with cardiovascular problems 💀💀GOOD BYE. pic.twitter.com/mn9LKguBdV
— anwar 🩸 ⵃⴰⵎⵣⴰ (@thevenenoo) February 2, 2024
Many of the guests who attended the event, held last Wednesday, January 31 in New York, were not pleased that the artist sang one of her most successful songs, released in 2013. One attendee who attended the "Red for Women Red Dress Collection Concert," spoke to US Weekly. The statement was later reported by 20 minutos:
She sang 'Heart Attack' in front of the 'Class of 2024,' all heart attack survivors. Before the fashion show and concert, a video was played in which all the women shared their experiences with death by heart attack, how they were all saved during a heart attack: one has to wear a pacemaker for the rest of her life.
@jordycrayy 🫣 #demilovato #demi #americanheartassociation #popculture #popculturenews #celebs #hollywood #celebgossip #lovatics #fyp #foryou #heartattack #usweekly
Demi Lovato defends herself and claims that she was talking about a "mind-heart connection"
Lovato, however, did not consider her song inappropriate for the event. One of her spokespersons told EW that this song was in fact an appropriate choice:
She spoke on the mind-heart connection. It was a sensitive moment intended to champion the women in the room — the very reason why Demi was at the event. She did open with a beautiful intro on why she chose the song and addressed the room, talking about the mind and heart connection. It was actually a beautiful moment.
TMZ reported that moments before performing "Heart Attack," Lovato explained what the song means to her: "[T]his song has many parallels for me, my journey and a reminder for all of us in the room just how strong the mind-heart-body connection truly is."
The artist explained that she knows what it is like to have a heart attack. In 2018, the singer overdosed. This caused medical problems, leading her to have multiple strokes and even a heart attack. She explained her experience in her documentary "Dancing With the Devil," released in 2021:
I actually don't think people realize how bad it actually was. I had three strokes. I had a heart attack. I suffered brain damage from the strokes. I can't drive anymore. And I have blind spots in my vision so sometimes when I go to pour a glass of water, I'll totally miss the cup because I can't see it. I also had pneumonia because I asphyxiated and had multiple organ failure...I'm really lucky to be alive. My doctors said that, like, I had five to 10 more minutes. And had my assistant not come in, I wouldn't be here today.
