Demi Lovato has Selena Gomez’s back.
The “Cool for the Summer” singer is stepping up to fill in for her longtime friend Gomez, who pulled out as a headliner of the 2016 Global Citizen Festival later this month.
Gomez, plagued by her ongoing struggle with the side effects of her Lupus diagnosis – including anxiety, panic attacks and depression – announced last month that she is taking a break from show business for a while and cancelled all upcoming events.
"I want to be proactive and focus on maintaining my health and happiness and have decided that the best way forward is to take some time off,” she said in a statement to People magazine in late August.
As for Lovato, who has been a longtime mental health advocate, she said in a Twitter video announcing her addition to the lineup that she was proud to support an effort to end world poverty.
"I'm excited and proud to support this cause and perform at the Global Citizen Festival," she said." Join me and Global Citizen to help promote mental health, well-being and gender equality."
Other performers slated to perform at the festival in New York City include Rihanna, Metallica, Kendrick Lamar, Usher, Coldplay, Ellie Goulding. Hosts will be Hugh Jackman and his wife Deborra-Lee Furness, Neil Patrick Harris, "Quantico" star Priyanka Chopra, Chelsea Handler, Salma Hayek and "Late Night" host Seth Meyer.
Trending
Who's making headlines in television, music, movies and more from Hollywood to the Heartland.