Demi Lovato may have been censored at last night’s Billboard Music Awards, TMZ reports. The pop star performed her just-released anti-Trump ballad, “Commander in Chief,” and a visual grand finale—the word “VOTE” in huge lettering—wasn’t captured onscreen.
The BBMAs aired on NBC, the same network slated to televise 45’s Town Hall tonight.
But none of the song’s lyrics, obviously critical of the president and his administration, were bleeped or changed in any way. This could certainly be a simple oversight—or not. You can watch the full performance, including the visuals missing from last night’s airing, here.
Regardless, we’ve gotta hand it to Lovato, first and foremost for the song’s directness; at one point she asks, “Commander in Chief, how does it feel to still be able to breathe?” But we also stan a steadfast activist shaking off the backlash of pro-Trump listeners—now potential ex-fans—angry with her stance against the tyrannous president they (presumably, apparently, unfortunately) seem to support.
Lovato doesn’t care what Trumpers think. It matters not to her if she loses a Trump-loving fan. Really, she said just that:
“You do understand as a celebrity, I have a right to political views as well? Or did you forget that we aren’t just around to entertain people for our entire lives.. that we are citizens of the same country and we are humans with opinions as well? The difference between me and type of artist you WANT and EXPECT me to be (but I’m sorry honey that will never BE me 😂) I literally don’t care if this ruins my career. This isn’t about that. My career isn’t about that. I made a piece of art that stands for something I believe in. And I’m putting it out even at the risk of losing fans. I take integrity in my work over sales any day. As much as I would like to be sad that I disappointed you, I’m too busy being bummed that you expect me, a queer Hispanic woman, to silence my views/beliefs in order to please my audience. i.e., your family.”