Demi Lovato is finally setting the record straight regarding her decision to perform the hit single “Heart Attack” at a 2024 American Heart Association (AHA) benefit. While critics and fans alike found the selection jarring given the venue’s focus, the pop star recently revealed that she shared those exact reservations at the time.
During an appearance on the Elvis Duran Show on Thursday, March 19, Lovato opened up about the viral moment at the Women Red Dress Collection Concert. The event, hosted by the AHA to bolster cardiovascular health awareness, saw Lovato belt out her 2013 Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper—a choice she now clarifies was specifically requested by the organizers.
“I actually questioned it beforehand,” Lovato explained, noting that they asked the production team if the track felt inappropriate for the occasion. “I was like, ‘Isn’t this… not the right vibe?'” According to the singer, the organizers were adamant, insisting that the audience specifically wanted to hear that song. “I told them, ‘Okay…’ and then, naturally, the internet went wild asking why I performed it. I just want everyone to know: it wasn’t my call! I raised the red flag!”
This candid clarification effectively puts to rest the lingering irony of the performance. When the Camp Rock alum initially faced backlash, a representative told Entertainment Weekly that the set was intended to be a “sensitive moment” designed to empower the women in attendance. The spokesperson emphasized that Lovato opened the performance with a thoughtful introduction regarding the profound connection between the mind and the heart, describing the set as a “beautiful moment.”
The interview comes as Lovato pivots to new creative ventures, including the promotion of her debut cookbook, One Plate at a Time. On the music front, the star continues to see success following the October release of her album It’s Not That Deep, which climbed to No. 9 on the Billboard 200.
