Rumors have been furiously circulating for months that Demi Lovato is dating One Direction’s Niall Horan, but in a new interview the “X Factor” judge insists that right now she is single and focusing on herself.
Lovato reveals that she is not dating the One Direction member in an interview with Teen Vogue.
“He’s a really awesome, sweet guy,” Lovato says of Horan, according to E! News. “But he’s not my boyfriend…I’m in a place right now where I really need to focus on myself.”
“Obviously, I’m still going to like people—or love them—but I need to not be in a relationship for a while because I need to be OK with being alone, first,” she adds. “I’m really happy right now. I never thought it was possible to be happy because of how depressed I was my entire life. But I feel so incredible. It’s like living in a dream.”
Speculation of a Lovato-Horan romance surfaced back in June, despite the former Disney star’s denying any relationship. Then the two were spotted dining at Harry Morton’s Pink Taco in Century City after the MTV Video Music Awards in September.
Lovato’s “me time” is much needed. The 20-year-old is finally on solid ground, with her “X Factor” job and a hot new single, after years of roller-coaster struggles.
She recently told Katie Couric that her body image issues began when she was just 3 years old. From then on, she battled with eating disorders, self-harm and bipolar disorder. In 2010, she dropped out of a tour with the Jonas Brothers and sought professional help for bulimia, cutting and other issues.
Prior to treatment, Lovato dated actor Wilmer Valderrama. The two reconnected when she was released from the treatment facility in January 2011, according to Us Weekly, and remain close friends.
by Cavan Sieczkowski
