Demi Lovato surprised fans on Tuesday night by dropping a new single, “Commander In Chief,” criticizing the current administration’s handling of recent events.
Lovato doesn’t hold back her feelings as she sings, “Commander in Chief, honestly / If I did the things you do, I couldn’t sleep.” She directs these lyrics at President Trump, referencing his mishandling of COVID-19, the racial injustice in our country, and the West Coast wildfires.
Speaking with CNN, Lovato explains the origins of this anthem;
“There’s been so many times that I’ve wanted to write the President a letter or sit down with him and ask him these questions. And then I thought, I don’t really actually want to do that and I thought one way that I could do that is writing a song and releasing it for the whole world to hear and then he has to answer those questions to everyone and not just me.”
Demi Lovato for CNN
Lovato has received backlash from fans, especially conservative ones, condemning her for getting political in her music, but she has no regrets. She explained to fans on her Instagram Story,
“I literally don’t care if this ruins my career. This isn’t about that. My career isn’t about that. I made a piece of art that stands for something I believe in. And I’m putting it out even at the risk of losing fans. I’ll take integrity in my work over sales any day.”
Last night, October 14th, Demi performed “Commander In Chief” at the Billboard Music Awards. Her powerful performance was seemingly censored by NBC who, during the broadcast, only showed a close-up of Lovato at the piano rather than displaying her backdrop that read “vote.” NBC claims that because the song has an anti-President Trump message, the backdrop was considered an encouragement to vote against the President.
Following her BBMA performance, the “Commander In Chief” music video premiered. The heartfelt video features a diverse group of people lip-synching and using sign language to present the lyrics, and ends with a tearful Demi Lovato pleading everyone to vote.
Lovato wasn’t the only one making a political statement at the Billboards last night. Lizzo dawned a dress covered in the word “vote” as she accepted her award for Song Sales Artist urging people to use their voice to fight suppression. Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottom also made an appearance as she presented the Changemaker Award to rapper Killer Mike.
