Demi, Nick on shedding their Disney image

CEBU, Philippines - Nick Jonas and Demi Lovato have been in the spotlight for years having grown up with Disney. But like so many Disney stars before them, Nick and Demi departed the Mouse House, choosing to branch out into their own pop careers.

 But having to transition from a child star into an adult entertainer can’t be easy, especially when you’ve become famous for a demographic of young kids watching the Disney channel. Now that Demi and Nick have forged their own paths, the two are opening up about how they managed to leave the Mouse House image behind.

 “It was challenging at the beginning, for me at least, and still is, to a certain degree, I think, far less now than in the initial launch of my solo career,” Nick shared with The Calgary Herald.

 “I think that there was an association with people’s first introduction to me (as a member of family band The Jonas Brothers) as opposed to them taking the music and my image for what it is now, in its current representation. So it took some time.”

 The challenges he faced didn’t stop him from trying, much to the delight and benefit of his fans.

 “I see every challenge as an opportunity to pivot and find something, a new way of showing people what you’re all about and giving them some more depth,” he added.

 “There are moments I think we both pushed each other as well. Demi, in pushing me to get more vulnerable in my music with this next record and encouraging me to really open up about some things that happened in my life that I think will help people get even more connected to me. And those moments among friends and creative relationships are so important because I think they really shape not only your next steps but the way the world sees you, as well, which is key in making a transition from a youthful career to what hopefully is a long-lasting adult tour.”

But Demi, who also starred in “Camp Rock” with Nick, revealed that she didn’t share the same difficulties as the former Jonas Brothers crooner when it came to transitioning out of their child star personas because she had to deal with other demons.

 “For me, the transition was a little bit easier because I didn’t have to do anything to break out of the Disney mold. It’s a lot easier when you just go to rehab,” admitted Demi, who went to rehab six years ago for physical and emotional issues.

“So, I kind of grew up really fast in the public eye in that way and so when it was time to release my music, I think people looked at me differently. I wanted to prove to people that I wasn’t just a stereotypical Hollywood starlet that goes to rehab and falls back into the trap of the things that got her there.”

 During her journey, Demi realized she wanted to become a true artist.

 “I wanted to make sure that the music that I made was great and that I was passionate about the music that I put out and I sang my heart out and I also, like we said, I wanted to continue the message of using my platform for more things than just singing about heartbreak,” she explained.

 “That’s what music is for, is getting you through times, but also using it to inspire people.”