July 20, 2021
Lala Kent on Demi Lovato's 'California Sober': It's 'Super Offensive'
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 2 MIN.
"Vanderpump Rules" cast member Lala Kent had some critical words about Demi Lovato's "California Sober," calling sobriety that includes cannabis and wine "super offensive," Us Weekly reports.
In a July 19 appearance on David Yontef's "Behind The Velvet Rope" podcast, the model took aim at Lovato's song and the concept behind it. Billboard recalled that "California Sober" is featured on Lovato's "most recent album 'Dancing With the Devil ... The Art of Starting Over,' which centers on the lifestyle of allowing some alcohol and marijuana while avoiding hard drugs.
"In Lovato's YouTube Originals docuseries of the same name, the singer discussed at length their journey to recovery following their near-fatal overdose in 2018," the Billboard article notes.
"You know, I don't like to judge, but I actually think that that's super offensive," Kent declared. "There are people out there who have worked their ass off to never take themselves out of reality and to never place themselves in an altered state. ... So to say that you're 'California sober is extremely offensive, I think."
Kent went on to say: "If you're drinking and smoking weed, you're not sober."
As fans know, Kent publicly disclosed her alcoholism on Instagram in 2019. She spoke on the podcast about her own recovery and participation in Alcoholics Anonymous, saying: "I always say if you don't have to be sober, I wouldn't recommend it, but me, as someone who does need to be sober, being in my right frame of mind every single day is truly incredible."
Lovato's series made room for similar opinions, Us Weekly noted, including a moment in which out pop music icon Sir Elton John addressed the issue and stated that, when it comes to sobriety, "moderation doesn't work."
Lovato expressed some reluctance in the docuseries to talk about their approach to sobriety, advising, "I don't want people to hear that and think they can just go out and try having a drink or smoking a joint."
On the other hand, the pop star added: "You shouldn't be forced to be sober if you're not ready. You shouldn't get sober for other people."
In comments subsequently made to Glamour magazine, Lovato expressed their skepticism over a "one-size-fits-all solution" as it pertains to sobriety and said, "What I'm encouraging people to do is just make choices for themselves. Autonomy, for me, is what changed my life."
Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.