Grammys 2020: Demi Lovato Wins Praise After First Live Performance Since Overdose In 2018

The singer debuted her heartbreaking new single Anyone during the ceremony.
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Demi Lovato brought the Grammys audience to their feet on Sunday night, when she delivered her first live performance since her overdose in 2018.

During the ceremony, Demi debuted a new song, Anyone, which presenter Greta Gerwig told viewers had been written just four days before the singer was rushed to hospital after overdosing 18 months ago.

It was a particularly emotional performance for Demi, who was even forced to start the song again after she was too choked up to continue singing, with the lyrics dealing with the loneliness she felt at her lowest moments in July 2018.

Talked to my imagination, confided into alcohol, I tried and tried and tried some more,” she sang in the song’s first verse. “Told secrets ’til my voice was sore, tired of empty conversation, ’cause no one hears me anymore.”

Demi Lovato gave a heartfelt performance during the Grammys
Demi Lovato gave a heartfelt performance during the Grammys
CBS

She continued: “I feel stupid when I pray, so, why am I praying anyway? If nobody’s listening… anyone, please send me anyone, lord, is there anyone?

“I need someone, anyone, please send me anyone, lord, is there anyone?”

Demi’s powerful performance earned her a standing ovation from those in attendance, but also won her huge acclaim from viewers on social media…

demi lovato just delivered the best vocal performance of her entire career. #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/Nsgz4Dd7Ix

— Dylan (@lnteleon) January 27, 2020

Demi Lovato was ... sensational. The strength. The TALENT. The vulnerability.

— 𝚑𝚒𝚜𝚙𝚊𝚗𝚒𝚌 𝚙𝚒𝚡𝚒𝚎 𝚍𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚖 𝚐𝚒𝚛𝚕 (@mathewrodriguez) January 27, 2020

WOW. That performance from Demi. Incredible. #GRAMMYs

— Sam Atkins (@Atkins_Sam) January 27, 2020

Was literally shaking throughout the whole thing I’m SO fucking proud of her

— harry 🥧 (@MrHBatesy2) January 27, 2020

This new Demi Lovato song deserves to be HUGE #GRAMMYs

— HUGH! McIntyre (@PopBangHugh) January 27, 2020

Forever rooting for Demi Lovato. ❤️

— Alex Goldschmidt (@alexandergold) January 27, 2020

DEMI LOVATO GETTING A STANDING OVATION DURING HER COMEBACK PERFORMANCE WE LOVE TO SEE IT pic.twitter.com/4SFmZR9d91

— dominique ❅ (@CMONPUDDN) January 27, 2020

Demi Lovato getting the standing ovation she deserves #Grammys pic.twitter.com/eQNuvWVgIQ

— Nora Dominick (@noradominick) January 27, 2020

Demi Lovato getting the biggest ovation of the night.
That was some powerful shit.#GRAMMYs

— Gabe Ikard (@GabeIkard) January 27, 2020

I’m speechless. #DemiLovato ladies and gentlemen. Those vocals... wow. #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/Fypqa5Rsk3

— Mike Adam (@MikeAdamOnAir) January 27, 2020

Demi Lovato singing “is there anyone?” just to get a standing ovation & support by the entire audience... my heart #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/rrqvOSe71M

— K (@OnlyVocalists) January 27, 2020

Wow, Chills. Demi Lovato. #GRAMMYs we’re listening.

— Nick Russo (@Kingnickrusso) January 27, 2020

Demi Lovato best performance of the night. #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/QuAVsZASgg

— Ryan Schocket (@RyanSchocket) January 27, 2020

Immediately after the performance, Anyone was made available to download and stream.

She recently told Apple Music’s Zane Lowe of the song, which was actually recorded four days before her near-fatal overdose: “You kind of listen back to it and you kind of think, ‘how did nobody listen to this song and think [to help me]’. I even think that I was recording it in a state of mind where I felt like I was OK, but clearly I wasn’t.

“I even listened back to it and I’m like, ‘Gosh, I wish I could go back in time and help that version of myself.’ I feel like I was in denial.”

Demi on stage at the Grammys
Demi on stage at the Grammys
John Shearer via Getty Images

Demi previously addressed her struggles with addiction in the song Sober, which she debuted in June 2018, featuring lyrics about a recent alcohol relapse.

Three months earlier, she had celebrated six years of sobriety.

Anyone is expected to feature on Demi’s forthcoming seventh album, slated for release later in 2020.

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