Demi Lovato Is Nearly Unrecognizable Without Hair Extensions

We've been watching Demi Lovato on our TVs since she was a fresh-faced teenager commanding Disney Channel's "Camp Rock" films. Back then, the "Sonny with a Chance" actor, who uses both she/her and they/them pronouns, was rocking a killer set of blunt bangs with pin-straight, chestnut locks, but it wouldn't stay that way for long. The "Fast" singer dabbled with hair dye and highlights, but she didn't start using extensions until the early-to-mid 2010s. During this period, Lovato began exploring outside the realm of natural colors and began rocking brightly colored hair at varying lengths. It wasn't just her hair that endured drastic changes, either; Lovato had one of the celebrity smile transformations that was hard to miss at the time. In 2014, the "Barney & Friends" alum even released a line of blue, pink, red, and purple hair extensions.

Lovato was already a pro by the time they spent 11 hours getting 15-inch extensions in 2020. "The reason behind her new length is simple: Change," her longtime hairstylist, Amber Maynard Bolt, told People that December. "Demi has been rocking her short dark hair for about a year now. In the past, she has never been afraid of change, so I think this was a natural evolution for her," the hair pro added, then revealing that Lovato was the one who proposed the new look.

All that to say, it's not always possible to tell when Lovato is using extensions or simply rocking their natural tresses, but we're here to say she looks adorable both ways. Lovato's even a celeb who drastically changed their hair after a breakup, having shaved her head on Christmas Day in 2021 after spending time reflecting on her breakup with Max Ehrich the previous year. Here's what the superstar looks like with shorter hair (it's truly a beautiful sight to behold).

Demi Lovato has gone from having pounds of hair to none at all — and everything in between — but the star's short hair is perhaps held closest to their heart because of their jaded past. Lovato's been open about her struggles with substance abuse, an eating disorder, and the troubling world of child stardom — she's even one of the many celebs who have said inspiring quotes about sobriety — and in February 2021, the "Cool for the Summer" singer expressed on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" how cutting their hair had freed them (she rocked a pink pixie cut at the time). "I used to use my hair to hide behind. It would cover my body. So when I started doing all this work on myself, I thought, 'What is something I've been holding onto my whole life that I need to let go of?'" Lovato told the talk-show host.

Then, in April 2021, they went on "The Drew Barrymore Show" and described why else she decided to shed their luscious locks. "I cut my hair because I just wanted to free myself of all of the gender and sexuality norms that were placed on me as a Christian in the South. And when I cut my hair, I felt so liberated because I wasn't subscribing to an ideal or a belief placed upon me to be something that I'm not." 

This freedom may have led to Lovato to finding a deeper sense of self. During the first episode of Lovato's podcast, "4D," in May 2021, the star came out as nonbinary and announced that she would be using they/them pronouns. A year later, Lovato began using she/her pronouns again, but this time in conjunction with they/them, not by themselves.

If you need help with an eating disorder, or know someone who does, help is available. Visit the National Eating Disorders Association website or contact NEDA's Live Helpline at 1-800-931-2237. You can also receive 24/7 Crisis Support via text (send NEDA to 741-741).

If you need help with an eating disorder or know someone who does, help is available. Visit the National Eating Disorders Association website or contact NEDA's Live Helpline at 1-800-931-2237. You can also receive 24/7 Crisis Support via text (send NEDA to 741-741).