Demi Lovato's bond with Selena Gomez transcends the ordinary. More than two decades after their friendship began on the set of "Princess Protection Program," the singer shared a glimpse into their shared journey through Hollywood.
"What was truly beautiful," Demi explained on the March 3 episode of the Baby, This is Keke Palmer podcast, "was that Selena and I had a friendship prior to Disney Channel because we were actually on Barney together. So, when I came into the Disney Channel, I felt a sense of safety, knowing that I had a built-in friendship there."
"I'm so grateful for that," the 33-year-old, who starred alongside Selena on the children's TV show for two seasons from 2002 to 2004, emphasized. "I will always be grateful for the friendship that I have and continue to have with her."
However, navigating childhood fame wasn't always easy, especially as Demi starred on "Sonny With a Chance" and Selena appeared on "Wizards of Waverly Place."
"It was challenging when people are comparing you to one another and you naturally have insecurities at a young age," she admitted. "So you start comparing yourself to other people. But one thing my mom instilled in me was: There's room for everyone. It's not a competition."
"You have your own voice, your own lane, and that's what I really stuck by," she recalled her mother, Diana De La Garza, saying. "That's what got me through that period. So, I was always rooting for everybody."
And she hasn't stopped cheering on Selena. In fact, amid the ups and downs in their friendship over the years, she couldn't help but praise this chapter in the "Only Murders in the Building" star's life, including her new album "I Said I Love You First" with now-husband Benny Blanco.
"I couldn't be happier for her," Demi, who tied the knot with Jordan "Jutes" Lutes last May, shared on "Watch What Happens Live" in September. "I just wish her the best."
"I have listened to the album, and it's really, really great," she added. "I love the songs on it. 'Bluest Flame' was my song."
