Demi Lovato could be the Dr. Phil of pop music.
In her conversation, songs and 2017 documentary film, the 25-year-old former Disney star encourages people to get help, treatment, therapy or whatever they need so they can get to a place of self-love. She even now co-owns the treatment center that helped her find sobriety six years ago.
Before Lovato's concert Saturday night at Target Center, she had a select group of fans attend a motivational wellness session at the arena with Lovato's mom, who is a published author, and Lovato's co-owner of the CAST treatment center. Mom's been through it with Demi, who has struggled with bullying, depression, eating disorders, chemical dependency, bipolar disorder and her abusive father's death.
During her concert, the pop star gave short speeches live and on video about the importance of seeking treatment and loving oneself. She even brought out Twin Cities choir singers in T-shirts emblazoned with "self-love."
While Lovato informed and inspired, she came up a bit short when it came to entertaining. Eschewing the usual pyrotechnics and lavish spectacles of most female pop stars, she kept the flash to a minimum.
Yes, there were backup dancers (11), different outfits (eight), wig changes (three) and a kiss-cam (which Adele and Garth Brooks have done before). Lovato had a satellite stage where she kind of romped on a giant revolving bed with two dancers. But she did not have a strong physical presence. She did not fill the room.
Yes, she moved, but hardly with the agility or athleticism that would compel one to call her a dancer. Bringing energy is not her strong point, which she underscored by opening the concert with a dark ballad and closing the main set with another sad ballad.
Lovato pretty much maintained the same expression on her face during the 80-minute performance. And she even delivered her inspirational speeches in a very pat and practiced way, especially compared to, say, Lady Gaga, who similarly champions underdogs, but speaks off the cuff in concert.
