Demi Lovato explains why relationship with ex Wilmer Valderrama at 18 years old was 'not okay'

Demi Lovato has explained why she feels her relationship with Wilmer Valderrama at the age of 18 was 'not okay'.

While she may only be 33, the former X Factor judge has been in the limelight for a long time and has released nine studio albums to date.

Lovato's relationships have been in the public eye too, including one when she was 18 and dated actor Valderrama, who was 29 at the time.

The couple did go on to date for a period of six years after calling it quits in 2016, with the pair saying in a joint statement: "This was an incredibly difficult decision for both of us, but we have realized more than anything that we are better as friends. We will always be supportive of one another. Thank you to everyone who has offered us kindness and support over the years."

Lovato appeared on the This Is Keke Palmer podcast recently, where she discussed past relationships with the host.

Demi Lovato and Wilmer Valderrama dated for six years (Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Island Records)

"I feel like people don’t understand that that’s what we were dealing with, you know? I found myself dating. I’m 15. Why is my boyfriend 20?" Palmer began.

Lovato then replied with: "Why was my boyfriend 30? You know what I’m saying? But then you look back in hindsight. When I turned 30, I was like, that’s not OK."

Palmer went on to describe it as a 'mental break', adding: "That can happen because you realise you were taken advantage of."

The podcast host continued: "That was very difficult for me ‘cause at 15 I’m thinking my boyfriend’s older because I’m doing an older job, and I’m doing a bunch of things, and this is the way that it is, and it seemed normal in my mind."

"Especially if you’re an older soul, too. Especially if you’re mature for your age," Lovato then chimed in and agreed.

Lovato was only 17 when she met Wilmer Valderrama (Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Taco Bell)

Valderrama has been seeing Amanda Pacheco in recent years and the pair got engaged in 2020 while they have also welcomed two children together.

While they may not be in each other's lives these days, Lovato stated she was still on good terms with her ex during a 2020 interview.

She told Harper’s Bazaar: "I’m really happy for him and I wish him nothing but the best, but we’re not in each other’s lives [and] haven’t spoken in a long time. But I think I needed that, because I needed to learn to be okay on my own."

The musician continued: "When you get into a relationship with somebody at that young of an age and then you spend six years with somebody, you don’t really get to learn about yourself."

UNILAD has reached out to Valderrama's representatives for comment.