Parents' Guide to

Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil

By Marina Gordon, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Warning: Wrenching, raw docuseries is full of triggers.

Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (2 ):

Watching Lovato and their sisters, parents, friends, and staff talk about their experiences with the pop star's addiction and how they supported Lovato is deeply affecting. Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil is a tough watch even beyond the singer's addiction and overdose -- your heart will ache for Lovato as they remember their father, who was abusive to their mother and an addict himself, then died alone. Lovato has battled eating disorders since they were a small child in pageants, then struggled to maintain their image as a Disney Channel star. They recount sexual abuse both as a teen and the night of their overdose.

This is tough stuff that's valuable as a stark reminder that the Instagram version of a pop star's life isn't necessarily telling the full story. The overwhelming emotion of the first two episodes is grief -- of the parents who didn't see the signs Lovato was struggling, of the siblings who feared they would lose their sibling, of the friends who have nagging regrets about their interactions with the pop star. Lovato expresses abundant gratitude to their doctors, family, and others who support them -- and for the time that the COVID-19 pandemic allowed them to process their experiences. Viewers will be grateful that Lovato shared their story and hope that they're on a healthier path.

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate