Demi Lovato dedicates song to Pinoy fans

'X Factor' judge speaks up against bullying

MANILA -- American singer Demi Lovato has taken her crusade against bullying to Manila, where she performed Wednesday night before Filipino fans.

In a press conference on Wednesday before her one-night concert at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Lovato related she had endured bullying growing up, and called on further efforts to prevent the loss of life due to "traumatic life experiences."

"When I was growing up, I was bullied. I actually left public school because of it, and it scarred me really bad," said the 20-year-old Lovato, who rose to fame for her role in the Disney film "Camp Rock."

"Since I've been able to speak about issues close to my heart, I've spoken out about bullying to let everyone know how serious of an issue it is, because it can change somebody's life," she said.

Lovato, whose music in three albums chronicled her personal struggles, including being bullied, said she hopes to spread awareness that bullying may lead to someone taking his or her life.

"I try to speak out as much as I can to young people that bullying is not okay, and if you are being bullied, to get help, and to reach out to somebody. Just so people are aware of it, and that it's not okay to do," she said.

"You can save somebody's life if you are willing to speak up, and point out the wrongdoing of someone else in order to make sure that someone else is not going to take their own life or save them from traumatic life experiences," Lovato said.

The "X Factor USA" judge said she hopes to impart the same message to her Filipino fans, to whom she dedicates her hit song "Skyscraper." Released in 2011, "Skyscraper" is a ballad with lyrics that tackle inner strength and belief in oneself.

"I have strong fans, and I'm really proud of them. They're all so powerful to me and I love them dearly," she said in an interview with ABS-CBN News' Gretchen Fullido.

Referring to her thousands of Pinoy ! fans expected to turn up at her first concert in the country, Lovato expressed disbelief that her music reaches as far as "the other side of the world."

"[It's] really insane and really amazing. It's just something that I can't really fathom. But I try, and it's an incredible feeling, and so I'm really excited to be here and say hi to the fans that I've never seen before," she said.