She’s back!
Demi Lovatohit the stage for the first time in over a year and a half at the2020 Grammy Awardsto perform her heartbreaking new song “Anyone.”
Standing alongside a piano in a white gown, Lovato, 27, softly sang the first few lyrics before becoming so overwhelmed with emotion that she had to start over.
Lovato then tried again, passionately belting her way through the track.
The moving performance ended with a standing ovation from the audience.
Lovatofirst revealedthe song — which was written and recorded before she overdosed at her home in Hollywood Hills, California, in July 2018 — in an interview with Zane Low onNew Music Dailyfor Apple Music’s Beats 1 last week.
“I almost listen back and hear these lyrics as a cry for help,” Lovato saidin a preview that premiered on Friday’sGood Morning America. “And you kind of listen back to it and you kind of think, ‘How did nobody listen to this song and think, Let’s help this girl?'”
“I was recording it in a state of mind where I felt I was okay, but clearly I wasn’t,” Lovato added. “I even listen back to it and I’m like, ‘Gosh, I wish I could go back in time and help that version of myself.'”
Kevin Winter/Getty
Lovatoannounced she’d be performingat the Grammys on Jan. 14, over a month afterteasing fans on Instagramthat “The next time you hear from me, I’ll be singing … ”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Lovato joined a long list of performers Sunday, includingBlake SheltonandGwen Stefani,Camila Cabello,Lizzo, theJonas Brothers,Ariana GrandeandBillie Eilish.
The “Confident” singer’s performance marks the first time she has hit the stage since suffering anoverdose in July 2018— just a month after releasing her last single, “Sober.” Sinceleaving rehab in November 2018, the star has kept her fansupdated on her journey being sober.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Though Lovato wasn’t up for any awards this year, the “Solo” singer has been nominated twice before. Her albumConfidentwas up for best pop vocal album in 2017 and her collaboration withChristina Aguilera, “Fall in Line” was up for best pop duo/group performance last year.
“I grew up in Texas, singing to@xtinaeveryday, DESPERATELY trying to hit her high notes,”she wrote on Twitterfollowing the nomination in 2018. “If you would’ve told me I’d have a Grammy nod with her I would’ve laughed in your face!! This is so surreal.”
Be sure to check out PEOPLE’sfull Grammy Awards coverageto get the latest news on music’s biggest night.
It was recently announced that following the Grammys, Lovato will be taking center field at the2020 Super Bowlon Feb. 2, where shewill sing the National Anthemahead of the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs face-off andJennifer LopezandShakira‘s highly anticipatedSuper Bowl halftime show.
“See you in Miami,” she captioned the bigannouncement on Instagram.
Lovato has recently hinted that new music is on the way. In November, she shared a video alongside producerWarren “Oak” Felderin the studio.
“Wouldn’t yall like to hear … ” Lovato captioned a soundless video of Felder. (The producer worked on five tracks off ofTell Me You Love Me, including “Sorry Not Sorry.”
“Recording a song for my loyal #Lovatics — the ones who support me and whatever makes me happy,” the singer also wrote on a photo of a microphone from inside the studio, adding, “If you hating — that ain’t you. BYE.”
Demi Lovato/Instagram
RELATED GALLERY:The Grammy-Winning Record of the Year When You Were Born
In November, Lovato spoke openly about addiction and recovery at theTeen VogueSummit in Los Angeles, revealing thatshe now feels stronger than ever.
“What I see in the mirror [is] someone that’s overcome a lot. I’ve been through a lot and I genuinely see a fighter,” she said at the time. “I don’t see a championship winner, but I see a fighter and someone who is going to continue to fight no matter what is thrown in their way.”
She later added, “I wouldn’t change the direction of my life for anything. … I would never regret anything. Ilove the person that I am today.”
The 62ndGrammy Awardsare airing live from Los Angeles’ Staples Center on Sunday, Jan. 26 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.
source: people.com
