Big sis to her ‘Lovatics’

DEMI Lovato’s voice is impressive in its range, agility and stamina. photo: Sherwin Guzman/ Wilbros Live.

Demi Lovato said she never expected—although she dreamed, hoped and prayed—that her music would one day be heard by people on the other side of the world. Her dream came true.

Last month, the American singer-actress found herself in Manila for the second time, in front of thousands of young fans chanting her name.

“It’s so humbling to be here in front of you guys and it makes me so happy,” Lovato, who rose to stardom after starring in the 2008 Disney TV-movie “Camp Rock,” told the crowd at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, where she held a one night-concert as part of her ongoing, eponymous world tour.

“As a girl, I never imagined that I would be fortunate enough [to do all this],” related Lovato, who has thus far released four studio albums: “Don’t Forget,” “Here We Go Again,” “Unbroken” and “Demi,” which all peaked in the top five of the Billboard 200 chart.

Throughout the rather brief, but packed show, the 22-year-old pop artist made sure to remind her supporters just how much they mean to her.

In the slow burning “My Love is Like a Star,” she belted out the ballad while perched on a stool, taking photos of the concertgoers who had lit up and hoisted their phones.

Little stars “You look like little stars,” quipped Lovato, who, every once in a while, went out of her way to make the fans—called “Lovatics”—feel special.

“Hey there little one!” she said, pointing at a girl wearing a Demi shirt.

“You’re very cute!” Quickly, the fans around us hoisted their banners, stretching their arms as far as they could, hoping that they, too, would be noticed.

Lovato briskly tackled her set that featured infectious, electro-pop dance tunes, syrupy ballads and rock-tinged, acoustic jams—“Really Don’t Care,” “Fire Starter,” “Get Back,” “Don’t Forget,” “Catch Me.”

The concert, mounted by Wilbros Live, did away with fancy productions or stage gimmicks, and instead, focused on Lovato’s voice, which is impressive in its range, agility and stamina.

Her singing prowess was best showcased in her performances of “Nightingale,” “Neon Lights,” her hit song “Skyscraper,” and the ubiquitous “Frozen” theme, “Let It Go,” which had everyone whipping out their cameras and singing along.

Tumultuous past In the empowerment anthem, “Warrior,” Lovato melded passion with compassion; and showed both vulnerability and strength, as she drew on her tumultuous past—drugs, depression, eating disorders.

She dedicated the song—about “growing a thicker skin” after being “broken and bruised”—to a girl named Helen, with whom she had a heart-to-heart talk prior to the show.

And like an assuring big sister, Lovato promised her fans that she would always be by their side. “That goes to anyone dealing with things. I may not be in your country every time, but my music will be,” she said.