Key Insights

• Demi Lovato's performance of “Heart Attack” at the AHA event raised eyebrows.
• Clarification: Lovato explained the song choice was requested, not her own idea.
• Response to backlash: Her representative emphasized the performance’s intention to honor women.
• Current projects: Lovato is promoting their new cookbook and recent album.

When Demi Lovato sang “Heart Attack” at an event for the American Heart Association in 2024, a lot of people thought it was an odd choice — and she did too.

In a Thursday (March 19) interview on the Elvis Duran Show, the pop star finally addressed why they belted out the 2013 Billboard Hot 100 hit at the Women Red Dress Collection Concert, which the AHA held two years ago to raise awareness for cardiovascular disease. “I wanna say that they asked me to sing that,” Lovato began.

“I flagged it beforehand and was like, ‘Isn’t this, like, not the vibe?’” they continued. “They were like, ‘No, they wanna hear it.’ I was like, ‘OK … ’ And then of course people online are like, ‘Why did she sing that?’ I’m like, ‘Y’all, it wasn’t me! I flagged it!’”

Lovato’s head-on clarification puts to bed any lingering questions about the ironic song choice two years ago. When the Camp Rock alum first started receiving backlash for the AHA performance, her rep told Entertainment Weekly, “It was a sensitive moment intended to champion the women in the room — the very reason why Demi was at the event.”

“She did open with a beautiful intro on why she chose the song and addressed the room, talking about the mind and heart connection,” the rep continued at the time. “It was actually a beautiful moment.”

The interview comes as Lovato is promoting their new cookbook, One Plate at a Time. In October, the star dropped album It’s Not That Deep, reaching No. 9 on the Billboard 200.