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As part of her blitz of post-rehab interviews, Demi Lovato announced today she is not going to return to her Disney Channel series Sonny With A Chance. “It made sense for me to go ahead and leave the show to focus on my music,” Lovato said in a statement to People magazine. “It’s kind of sad for me that a chapter of my life has ended, but there couldn’t be a better time for me to move on. I don’t think going back to Sonny would be healthy for my recovery, being in front of a camera would make me nervous.”
The news is not surprising, and Disney Channel has been preparing for a future of the show without Lovato ever since she entered rehab at the beginning of November. In January, the channel started production on So Random, a comedy series based on the sketch comedy show within Sonny, for a June premiere. The new series features all other Sonny regulars, guest stars and musical acts, and, by continuing the Sonny franchise, it was able to preserve 75 jobs. (Disney Channel first tested So Random as two stand-alone specials in 2010, which did well.) “We respect Demi’s decision to focus full time on her music and not immediately return to her acting career,” a rep for the Disney Channel said in a statement. “She is a talented young woman, and our hearts are with her as she continues to take action to improve her health and bounce back from adversity.”
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Best of luck to her — it’s a short ride, kids. Invest wisely.
Now they know Demi won’t be returning, I think they should look to replace her and return the series to the sitcom format. I would recommend Nicole Anderson who was on “Jonas.” Like Demi she is very cute and full of life.
I don’t think the variety format can work over the long haul, especially since the sketches have been the weakest part of the series up till now.
Well, good luck Demi. I wish you well personally but professionally you’re making a mistake.
Your audience comes from your Disney show viewership and your music isn’t the type that sells. Compare the most recent album sales of Avril Lavigne compare to Adele. You’ve got a tough road ahead.
Take a look at Hillary Duff who doesn’t have any new music, doesn’t have any new movies, doesn’t have her own show and only recently did a “guest” role on the very low rated ‘Gossip Girl’ as a fellow Disney kid who flew the coop too early.
Wow JJ — did you miss the part about how this kid with an eating disorder admitted putting herself in front of a television camera and subjecting herself to that kind of scrutiny would be counter productive to her recovery? Sounds to me like she’s making the perfect life/career choice. Kudos to her for making a difficult but healthy career decision.
ITAWTC Demi’s music is great and she stands ovations everywhere. Plus a huge music producer post a video on YouTube with a song he wrote for her because he loves her so she will be fine. Actually I think is great that she’s doing it now because it won’t hurt her
Good for her! How many girls her age can make a decision like this? This is hard to walk away from the “machine” of Disney. And personally, as the mother of a fan…I think she has a fantastic voice and would support my daughter listening to her sing any day over watching some Disney Channel tv show. I think her singing is the real deal.
Sometimes when I read comments like the above which begin with “ITAWTC” (??) and ramble forth with gleeful incoherence, I walk away from my desk feeling bad about everything.
I think the sketch format will work. They had a similar show at Nickelodeon for quite a while. Its funny that being in front of a camera and a studio audience of about a hundred will make her nervous but doing live concerts in front of thousands will not. If I were a cynical person, I might think this was all manufactured by her handlers to get her out of her Disney contract. But I’m not that cynical. Are you?
My nine year old sends Demi the best possible wishes in her future, because she knows she has been sick.
that is realy stupid demi can do the show she shouldent give it up right at a realy good part god dammit
i know she is making a good choice but since she is not goin to do sonny with a chance am no longer goin 2 watch it srry but its just not the same without her she is the only reason i watch it but i really do hope she gets better .
As a mother of a fan, I knw yhe show won’t be the same, but fully underdstand. We wish you the best, and look forward to seeing you. God Bless.
Well, I think that taking a BREAK is ok,but she said herself that it was sad that that ‘chapter in her life’ ended. Why let it end? I mean, she can take as much time as she wants, but if she likes doing Sonny With A Chance, she should come back later. I’m sure people would agree with me. No offence to Demi, I respect her choice, it’s just an idea. Maybe Demi just doesn’t like it anymore and quit the show because of that. I just hope she comes back.