{ "id": "epyz39n3c6", "slug": "demi-lovato-dancing-with-the-devil", "title": "Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil", "updated": "2026-11-01", "topic_path": [ { "id": "culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture" }, { "id": "culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.series", "label": "Series and fictional screen worlds", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.series" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.series.series_unscripted", "label": "Unscripted, reality, and web-native series", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.series.series_unscripted" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.series.series_documentary_factual", "label": "Documentary, docudrama, and lifestyle series", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.series.series_documentary_factual" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.series.series_documentary_factual.music_arts_biography_docuseries", "label": "Music, arts, and biographical docuseries", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.series.series_documentary_factual.music_arts_biography_docuseries" } ], "geo": [ { "id": "geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_documentary_factual.music_arts_biography_docuseries", "label": "United States · 2021 and later: Music, arts, and biographical docuseries", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_documentary_factual.music_arts_biography_docuseries", "path": [ { "id": "geo.us", "label": "United States", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021", "label": "United States · 2021 and later", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.culture" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.culture.performance" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series", "label": "Series and fictional screen worlds", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_unscripted", "label": "Unscripted, reality, and web-native series", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_unscripted" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_documentary_factual", "label": "Documentary, docudrama, and lifestyle series", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_documentary_factual" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_documentary_factual.music_arts_biography_docuseries", "label": "Music, arts, and biographical docuseries", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_documentary_factual.music_arts_biography_docuseries" } ] } ], "excerpt": "Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil is a 2021 four-part YouTube Originals docuseries directed by Michael D. Ratner about Lovato's near-fatal 2018 overdose, sexual assault, and recovery, paired with the album Dancing With the Devil... The Art of Starting Over.", "snippet": "Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil is a 2021 four-part YouTube Originals docuseries directed by Michael D. Ratner about Lovato's near-fatal 2018 overdose, sexual assault, and recovery, paired with the album Dancing With the Devil... The Art of Starting Over.", "node": "culture.performance.screen.series.series_documentary_factual.music_arts_biography_docuseries", "markdown": "# Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil\n\n**Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil** is a four-part documentary miniseries about the American singer [Demi Lovato](https://www.edgepedia.org/demi-lovato), directed by [Michael D. Ratner](https://www.edgepedia.org/michael-d-ratner) and released as a YouTube Originals production on Lovato's official YouTube channel in March and April 2021. The series explores the events leading to Lovato's near-fatal drug overdose in July 2018 and the recovery and self-examination that followed.[1](https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/DEMI-LOVATO-DANCING-WITH-THE-DEVIL-Announces-Premiere-Date-20210113) • [2](https://www.obbmedia.com/projects/demi-lovato-dancing-with-the-devil)\n\n| Key fact | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| Format | Four-part documentary miniseries, roughly 22 to 24 minutes per episode, released weekly on Tuesdays[3](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/52963/demi-lovato-dancing-with-the-devil) • [4](https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/demi-lovato-dancing-with-the-devil/1030900136/) |\n| Premiere | First two episodes on March 23, 2021, free on Demi Lovato's YouTube channel; final episode April 6, 2021[1](https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/DEMI-LOVATO-DANCING-WITH-THE-DEVIL-Announces-Premiere-Date-20210113) • [3](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/52963/demi-lovato-dancing-with-the-devil) |\n| Director | Michael D. Ratner, founder and CEO of OBB Media; produced by OBB Pictures and SB Projects[5](https://www.thewrap.com/dancing-with-the-devil-demi-lovato-found-opening-up-about-overdose-wildly-cathartic-director-says/) • [6](https://radiox.cms.socastsrm.com/2021/03/16/how-demi-lovatos-dancing-with-the-devil-documentary-sheds-an-unrealistic-role-model-label-uncovers-the-truth/) |\n| Central subject | The July 2018 overdose that left Lovato with three strokes and a heart attack; doctors told her she had five to ten more minutes to live[7](https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/demi-lovato-dancing-with-the-devil-trailer-23307/) |\n| Festival debut | Opening night headliner at SXSW 2021[2](https://www.obbmedia.com/projects/demi-lovato-dancing-with-the-devil) |\n| Reception | 85% on the Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer from 34 reviews and 99% from audiences; Metascore 73 on Metacritic[8](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/demi_lovato_dancing_with_the_devil/s01) • [9](https://www.metacritic.com/tv/demi-lovato-dancing-with-the-devil/) |\n| Companion album | *Dancing With the Devil... The Art of Starting Over*, released April 1, 2021 via Island Records[10](https://www.universalmusic.ca/2021/04/01/multi-platinum-singer-songwriter-demi-lovato-releases-new-album-dancing-with-the-devil-the-art-of-starting-over/) |\n\n## Spoilers\n\n### Content\n\nThe series covers the buildup to and aftermath of Lovato's accidental overdose in the summer of 2018, which left her hospitalized and fighting for her life.[14](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/mar/17/demi-lovato-dancing-with-the-devil-review-a-pop-music-doc-of-shattering-candour) In the trailer Lovato states, \"I had three strokes, I had a heart attack. My doctors said that I had five to 10 more minutes [to live],\" and says she is on her \"ninth life.\"[7](https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/demi-lovato-dancing-with-the-devil-trailer-23307/)\n\nThe revelations extend beyond the overdose. Lovato discloses that her first sexual experience, as a teenager, was rape, and that she was sexually assaulted by the man who supplied her with drugs on the night of the overdose.[15](https://time.com/5948940/demi-lovato-dancing-with-the-devil-review/) The series also addresses eating disorders, addiction, the death of her father, and her broken engagement to actor [Max Ehrich](https://www.edgepedia.org/max-ehrich), and it explores her adoption of \"moderation sobriety\" rather than complete abstinence.[5](https://www.thewrap.com/dancing-with-the-devil-demi-lovato-found-opening-up-about-overdose-wildly-cathartic-director-says/) • [3](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/52963/demi-lovato-dancing-with-the-devil) Family members, friends, and team members including her mother Dianna De La Garza, her sisters, manager [Scooter Braun](https://www.edgepedia.org/scooter-braun), and figures such as [Elton John](https://www.edgepedia.org/elton-john) and Christina Aguilera appear as interviewees.[9](https://www.metacritic.com/tv/demi-lovato-dancing-with-the-devil/)\n\nThe series also incorporates clips from the shelved 2018 tour documentary, in which present-day Lovato says she had been sharing only \"the tip of the iceberg\" of her life.[16](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/demi-lovato-dancing-with-the-devil) In the final moments of the series, Lovato has her long hair cut into a short bob, a change the *Time* review read as symbolic of rebuilding a new self.[15](https://time.com/5948940/demi-lovato-dancing-with-the-devil-review/)\n\n### Episodes\n\nThe four episodes were released weekly on Tuesdays.[3](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/52963/demi-lovato-dancing-with-the-devil)\n\n| Episode | Title | Airdate |\n|---|---|---|\n| 1x01 | losing control | March 23, 2021 |\n| 1x02 | 5 minutes from death | March 23, 2021 |\n| 1x03 | reclaiming power | March 30, 2021 |\n| 1x04 | rebirthing | April 6, 2021 |\n\nThe first episode has Lovato and her family and friends opening up for the first time about what led to the near-fatal overdose. The finale covers the broken engagement, her return to the studio, and her exploration of moderation sobriety.[3](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/52963/demi-lovato-dancing-with-the-devil)\n\n## Background and production\n\nThe project began during Lovato's Tell Me You Love Me World Tour in 2018 and is considered the follow-up to her 2017 YouTube Originals documentary *Simply Complicated*.[11](https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/a35915225/how-to-watch-demi-lovato-documentary/) An earlier documentary was already in production when the 2018 overdose stopped it; Ratner, who joined afterward, chose to incorporate that unfinished film rather than ignore it, showing some of its unreleased footage in the series.[12](https://announce.today/home/announce/YaU0FVLsyjyr0AxhXIgY)\n\nLovato approached Ratner after watching his previous YouTube docuseries, *[Justin Bieber: Seasons](https://www.edgepedia.org/justin-bieber-seasons)*. Ratner said the goal was to destigmatize mental health issues and to let audiences know the pop star authentically. Production took 14 months and produced a large volume of interview footage; Ratner described the experience of making it as one that \"really sticks with you\" and said Lovato found opening up about the overdose \"wildly cathartic,\" becoming more open as the editing progressed.[5](https://www.thewrap.com/dancing-with-the-devil-demi-lovato-found-opening-up-about-overdose-wildly-cathartic-director-says/)\n\nRatner divided the story into four parts so that each topic would receive its own conversation rather than be glossed over in a single film.[12](https://announce.today/home/announce/YaU0FVLsyjyr0AxhXIgY) The post-production team edited in Avid, colored in Blackmagic Resolve, and mixed in ProTools, working remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic.[13](https://lappg.com/2021/05/25/meet-the-post-team-behind-demi-lovato-dancing-with-the-devil/)\n\n## Release\n\nYouTube Originals announced the premiere details on January 13, 2021, with the first two episodes free on Lovato's YouTube channel at 3 p.m. on March 23 and new episodes weekly on the following two Tuesdays.[1](https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/DEMI-LOVATO-DANCING-WITH-THE-DEVIL-Announces-Premiere-Date-20210113) • [11](https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/a35915225/how-to-watch-demi-lovato-documentary/) The series was selected as the opening night headliner of SXSW 2021.[2](https://www.obbmedia.com/projects/demi-lovato-dancing-with-the-devil) A live premiere event on YouTube featured Lovato walking the red carpet, a conversation with Ratner, and an acoustic performance of \"Anyone.\"[17](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qLf_ecCuw4) The series later remained available through [YouTube Premium](https://www.edgepedia.org/youtube-premium) and [YouTube TV](https://www.edgepedia.org/youtube-tv).[18](https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/demi-lovato-dancing-with-the-devil)\n\n## Companion music\n\nThe title song \"Dancing With the Devil,\" written by Lovato with Mitch Allan, Bianca \"Blush\" Atterberry, and John Ho, was released on March 26, 2021 through [Island Records](https://www.edgepedia.org/island-records).[19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_brwPPOIsSc) Its music video, directed by Lovato and Ratner and produced by OBB Pictures and SB Films, was published on April 1, 2021 and recreates the night of the overdose.[20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAg69LaLlS0) • [21](https://ddd.uab.cat/pub/estudis/2022/254907/sonempwom_a2022.pdf) The companion album *Dancing With the Devil... The Art of Starting Over*, Lovato's seventh studio album, executive produced by Lovato and her manager Scooter Braun, was released on April 1, 2021 via Island Records; Universal Music described the album and documentary together as Lovato sharing the story of her near-fatal 2018 overdose for the first time.[10](https://www.universalmusic.ca/2021/04/01/multi-platinum-singer-songwriter-demi-lovato-releases-new-album-dancing-with-the-devil-the-art-of-starting-over/)\n\n## Reception\n\nOn Rotten Tomatoes the miniseries holds an 85% Tomatometer from 34 reviews and a 99% Popcornmeter score from more than 1,000 audience ratings; the critics consensus calls it \"harrowing and heartfelt\" while noting it \"at times trips over itself.\"[8](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/demi_lovato_dancing_with_the_devil/s01) Metacritic assigned a Metascore of 73 based on 9 critic reviews, with a user score of 9.3 from 297 ratings.[9](https://www.metacritic.com/tv/demi-lovato-dancing-with-the-devil/) IMDb lists a 7.7 rating.[18](https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/demi-lovato-dancing-with-the-devil)\n\nCritics generally praised the candor. The Guardian's review described the series as \"a pop music doc of shattering candour\" that is \"harrowing and unflinchingly honest.\"[14](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/mar/17/demi-lovato-dancing-with-the-devil-review-a-pop-music-doc-of-shattering-candour) Decider scored it 90, calling it \"raw and heartbreaking,\" while [The Hollywood Reporter](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-hollywood-reporter)'s 60 review argued that the honesty was at times undermined by production choices.[9](https://www.metacritic.com/tv/demi-lovato-dancing-with-the-devil/) The series was nominated for Best Music Documentary at the 2021 MTV Movie + TV Awards.[4](https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/demi-lovato-dancing-with-the-devil/1030900136/)\n\n## References\n\n1. [DEMI LOVATO: DANCING WITH THE DEVIL Announces Premiere Date, BroadwayWorld (January 13, 2021)](https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/DEMI-LOVATO-DANCING-WITH-THE-DEVIL-Announces-Premiere-Date-20210113)\n2. [DEMI LOVATO: DANCING WITH THE DEVIL, OBB Media](https://www.obbmedia.com/projects/demi-lovato-dancing-with-the-devil)\n3. [Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil, TVmaze](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/52963/demi-lovato-dancing-with-the-devil)\n4. [Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil, TV Guide](https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/demi-lovato-dancing-with-the-devil/1030900136/)\n5. ['Dancing With the Devil': Demi Lovato Found Opening Up About Overdose 'Wildly Cathartic,' Director Says, TheWrap (March 23, 2021)](https://www.thewrap.com/dancing-with-the-devil-demi-lovato-found-opening-up-about-overdose-wildly-cathartic-director-says/)\n6. [How Demi Lovato's 'Dancing With the Devil' Documentary Sheds an Unrealistic 'Role Model' Label & Uncovers the Truth, Radio 88.8](https://radiox.cms.socastsrm.com/2021/03/16/how-demi-lovatos-dancing-with-the-devil-documentary-sheds-an-unrealistic-role-model-label-uncovers-the-truth/)\n7. [Demi Lovato Docuseries Trailer: 'I Had Three Strokes, I Had a Heart Attack' Amid Overdose, Rolling Stone (February 19, 2021)](https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/demi-lovato-dancing-with-the-devil-trailer-23307/)\n8. [Demi Lovato: Dancing With the Devil: Miniseries, Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/demi_lovato_dancing_with_the_devil/s01)\n9. [Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil Reviews, Metacritic](https://www.metacritic.com/tv/demi-lovato-dancing-with-the-devil/)\n10. [Multi-Platinum Singer/Songwriter Demi Lovato Releases New Album Dancing With The Devil… The Art Of Starting Over, Universal Music Canada (April 1, 2021)](https://www.universalmusic.ca/2021/04/01/multi-platinum-singer-songwriter-demi-lovato-releases-new-album-dancing-with-the-devil-the-art-of-starting-over/)\n11. [How to Stream Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil, Harper's Bazaar (March 23, 2021)](https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/a35915225/how-to-watch-demi-lovato-documentary/)\n12. ['Demi Lovato: Dancing With the Devil' Helmer Michael D. Ratner Says Singer Was Ready to \"Clear the Record\", The Hollywood Reporter](https://announce.today/home/announce/YaU0FVLsyjyr0AxhXIgY)\n13. [Meet the Post Team Behind \"Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil\", LAPPG (May 25, 2021)](https://lappg.com/2021/05/25/meet-the-post-team-behind-demi-lovato-dancing-with-the-devil/)\n14. [Demi Lovato: Dancing With the Devil review – a pop music doc of shattering candour, The Guardian (March 17, 2021)](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/mar/17/demi-lovato-dancing-with-the-devil-review-a-pop-music-doc-of-shattering-candour)\n15. [In Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil, the Pop Star Lays Her Secrets Bare, in a Guarded Way, Time (March 23, 2021)](https://time.com/5948940/demi-lovato-dancing-with-the-devil-review/)\n16. [Parents' Guide to Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil, Common Sense Media](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/demi-lovato-dancing-with-the-devil)\n17. [Demi Lovato: Dancing With the Devil | Live Premiere, YouTube (March 23, 2021)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qLf_ecCuw4)\n18. [Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil - streaming, JustWatch](https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/demi-lovato-dancing-with-the-devil)\n19. [Dancing With The Devil (audio), YouTube (March 25, 2021)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_brwPPOIsSc)\n20. [Demi Lovato - Dancing With The Devil (Official Video), YouTube (April 1, 2021)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAg69LaLlS0)\n21. [\"Dancing with the Devil\": A docuseries on Demi Lovato's overdose and its song, UAB research paper (2022)](https://ddd.uab.cat/pub/estudis/2022/254907/sonempwom_a2022.pdf)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Series and fictional screen worlds › Unscripted, reality, and web-native series › Documentary, docudrama, and lifestyle series › Music, arts, and biographical docuseries*\n\n*Initially written Oct 3, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 3, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 3, 2026; Oct 21, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n", "same_as": [], "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/demi-lovato-dancing-with-the-devil", "markdown_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/demi-lovato-dancing-with-the-devil.md", "license": { "name": "Edgepedia Community License 1.0", "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license", "summary": "Free with credit, commercial use included. AI training is open to everyone. For other uses, organizations over USD 100M in revenue or 100M monthly users license separately.", "spdx": "LicenseRef-Edgepedia-Community-1.0" }, "credit": "\"Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/demi-lovato-dancing-with-the-devil. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "credit_md": "\"[Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil](https://www.edgepedia.org/demi-lovato-dancing-with-the-devil)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/demi-lovato-dancing-with-the-devil](https://www.edgepedia.org/demi-lovato-dancing-with-the-devil). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).", "credit_html": "\"Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/demi-lovato-dancing-with-the-devil. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "speakable": "Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil is a 2021 four-part YouTube Originals docuseries directed by Michael D." }