Sue's Private Celebrity Goss: Demi Lovato's Disney Show To Be Revamped

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Demi Lovato's Disney Show To Be Revamped

New episodes of 'Sonny with a Chance' will focus on show-within-a-show 'So Random!' to give Lovato time to recover.
By Mawuse Ziegbe

Demi Lovato
Photo: Jim Spellman/ WireImage

Demi Lovato's Disney hit "Sonny with a Chance" is slated to continue production next season without the troubled star. Network representatives told Variety that the show will focus the inner-workings of the sketch comedy program Lovato's character, Sonny, appears on, "So Random!"

"This allows her the time she needs to get well, without distraction or pressure," a Disney Channel spokesperson said. "Again, we extend our ongoing support to Demi and her family as she works to overcome personal issues."

The show's new format will focus on a beefed-up version of "So Random!" packed with with guest stars, performances and digital shorts. The revamped show will give Lovato time to work on her problems and shooting will kick off in January as originally scheduled.

Lovato recently quit her tour with the Jonas Brothers to deal with "emotional and physical issues." The teen starlet has been reportedly grappling with depression and cutting, and entered a treatment center to try to resolve her issues. However, her rep recently batted away rumors that Lovato is dealing with substance-abuse problems.

"Demi Lovato is not in treatment for drug or alcohol addiction," her spokesperson said in a statement Wednesday. "As we have said since she entered treatment last week, Demi decided to seek help for emotional and physical issues she has battled throughout her life. She has taken this step in order to get her life in order."

Addiction specialist and "Celebrity Rehab" host Dr. Drew Pinsky has maintained that stars in Lovato's position need to put recovery before their careers in order to overcome their personal issues.

"The important thing for Demi when she has finished treatment, whatever treatment it is she has received, is that she have adequate and thorough follow-up care, follows the direction of her team of professionals and that she doesn't return to work too prematurely," he said. "The number-one reason my patients that are celebrities get in trouble is they go back to work because they make a lot of money for themselves and other people. It's very gratifying, but it takes them out of their treatment."

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