Demi Lovato recently discussed her past relationship with Wilmer Valderrama, which had a notable 12-year age difference, and seemed to express that it was “not OK.” During an appearance on Keke Palmer’s podcast, “Baby, This Is Keke Palmer,” the 33-year-old singer reflected on the complexities of their romance without explicitly naming Valderrama.
Lovato mentioned that her experiences have led her to a place of gratitude despite the challenges, stating, “There wasn’t a lot of time for play, but when I did, I played pretty hard.” Palmer added context, noting that both women have dealt with similar issues stemming from their early fame and relationships. Lovato quipped about the considerable age gap, saying, “Why was my boyfriend 30?” referencing Valderrama, who is currently 46.
The couple began dating in 2010 when Lovato was just 18 and Valderrama was 30, but their relationship ended in 2016. Lovato elaborated on the realization that as young women in the industry, they often gravitated toward older partners, highlighting the difficulty in processing their experiences at a young age. “Nobody our age could understand,” she remarked.
Reflecting on her experiences when she turned 30, Lovato noted that it became clearer to her that these dynamics were concerning. Palmer further emphasized the exploitative nature of such relationships and the mental break that can occur when realizing past exploitation.
Lovato confirmed that her song “29,” released in 2022, was inspired by her relationship with Valderrama. The lyrics relate directly to her experience, reflecting on the age difference and noting her youth at the start of their romance, when she was “too young to drink wine.” This powerful anthem sheds light on her journey and emphasizes the importance of consent and awareness in relationships.
Lovato has often spoken about how her past is woven into her music, and in a previous documentary, she recalled her initial attraction to Valderrama, which began when she was just 17. Their relationship continued until they broke up, yet they have maintained an amicable bond post-split. Valderrama has since become engaged and has two children, while Lovato married musician Jutes last May.
Both Lovato and Valderrama now seem to have moved on to fulfilling chapters in their lives, encapsulating a narrative of resilience and acceptance drawn from their past experiences.