Demi Lovato addresses the 'vibe' of her controversial charity gala song choice

Demi Lovato has clarified the circumstances surrounding her controversial 2024 performance of the hit single 'Heart Attack' at a charity gala for the American Heart Association.

Speaking on The Elvis Duran Show, the 33-year-old singer revealed that the song choice was a specific request from the event organisers, despite her own initial reservations regarding the suitability of the track for a heart health event.

“They asked me to sing that. I flagged it beforehand and was like, 'Isn't this, like, not the vibe?' They were like, 'No, they wanna hear it.' I was like, 'OK?'” she recalled.

The performance at the Go Red for Women Red Dress Collection gala went viral, drawing significant criticism from social media users who found the song choice insensitive given the context.

Addressing the backlash, Lovato noted: “And then, of course, people online are like, 'Why did she sing that?' Y'all, it wasn't me! I flagged it!” At the time, she attempted to bridge the gap by telling the crowd the song served as a reminder of “how strong the mind-heart-body connection truly is.”

The artist’s history adds a layer of complexity to the performance, as she previously suffered a heart attack following a 2018 overdose.

Now sober and married to musician Jordan “Jutes” Lutes, the singer is focused on her recovery and career. Following the release of her ninth studio album, It's Not That Deep, Lovato is preparing for a North American tour scheduled for April and May 2026, marking a new chapter in her professional life.