Demi Lovato has had a whirlwind week, with her new single “Made in the U.S.A” being released and the death of her estranged father. She spoke with Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts about it and announced a scholarship in her father’s name.
Lovato’s father, Patrick Lovato, died on Saturday at age 53 after reportedly battling cancer, although an official cause of death was not released. While she did tweet a thank you message to fans for their support, her GMA appearance this morning was her first interview since his death.
“I'm handling it okay,” she told Roberts, reports E! News. “My father and I didn't have the most ideal relationship, but at the end of the day he's still my dad.”
The X Factor host added, “It’s difficult...I grew up with him and he's a wonderful person, but I'm handling it OK.”
According to Starpulse, Lovato said that her father also dealt with mental illness, so she agreed to work with the CAST Recovery center in California for a scholarship to help those also dealing with mental illness. Lovato, who has also dealt with mental illness, said that the center is important to her and that she started the Lovato Treatment Scholarship with them.
You can check out Lovato’s full interview below. She’ll be back on GMA Friday to perform.
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