Disney child stars might make a ton of money in a few short years, but they certainly don’t have a very easy time in the maturation department where their continuing career success is concerned. Just look at Miley Cyrus, who made many millions of dollars as a pre-packaged entity, “Hannah Montana,” but has faltered since turning 18 by taking “growing up” to extremes; that is, she abruptly sexed up her image and lost revenue in the process:

In sharp contrast to Miley’s approach to adulthood, Demi Lovato, who just turned 19 a few weeks ago, has celebrated by releasing her third album, Unbroken, which critics have stated is a successful step towards maturity without alienating her younger fans too. This album’s release arrives eight months after Demi finished rehab for bulimia and cutting issues, and she’s since accepted responsibility for her past diva-related actions. Since then, she’s given a slight indication that she is still vulnerable to criticism over her weight, but Demi appears to have gained steadfast control over her musical career. Unbroken vaulted to the top of the iTunes charts within mere hours, and this commercial success has been bolstered with critical acclaim as well:

A weird thing happens about halfway through Unbroken. It transforms from guest-filled, R&B-oriented dance-pop, the kind one might expect a former Disney princess asserting her adulthood to make, into a series of intimate, sometimes painful confessions, the marks of an artist who’s actually growing up. Instead of sounding disjointed, the changes parallel the 19-year-old’s recent journey, which included a rehab stint to treat bulimia and cutting issues. By the time she hits the ballad Skyscraper, a towering performance that sounds both desperate and determined, she has clearly transitioned from a teen star into a young woman worth listening to.

[From USA Today]

Instead of going too edgy or staying a Disney princess, Demi Lovato’s Unbroken, which drops Tuesday, is a perfectly mature album without scaring away the teens that grew up loving the Camp Rock star.

Unbroken represents the opportunity to wipe clean several slates, something Ms. Lovato is well suited for. She’s long been the least musically predictable of her Disney class, which also includes the Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus. Her albums – Don’t Forget from 2008, and especially Here We Go Again, released the next year – were the savviest of the group’s, full of biting and aggressive pop-rock.

[From New York Times]

Instead of going too edgy or staying a Disney princess, Demi Lovato’s Unbroken, which drops Tuesday, is a perfectly mature album without scaring away the teens that grew up loving the “Camp Rock” star.

[From MTV]

There are two ways for pop stars to make a Survivor Album: either power-sing through your problems like Christina Aguilera, or make like Rihanna and dance till you forget what you’re supposed to be getting over. On her first release since checking out of rehab, Demi Lovato wants to have it both ways. Clearly it’s been a tough year for Lovato. But as Rihanna could tell her, sometimes bad years make great songs.

[From CNN]

On Tuesday at midnight, Demi bought her own copy of Unbroken at Best Buy. She was greeted outside by thousands of fans and reportedly gave the following statement: “A year ago I was not in a good place, and I needed help. There are so many beautiful girls in this audience that don’t know that they’re beautiful, and they are.” She also expressed gratitude to her fans for “being there for me every single day when I was away.” Not bad for a Disney kid, but it’s also not unexpected for one that also managed write most of her own songs along the way. While Demi’s music (including Unbroken‘s lead single, “Skyscraper”) isn’t exactly my cuppa, I wish her continued success and hope that she keeps making great strides in her personal life too. Miley could certainly take a few notes from Demi’s playbook as well.

Photos courtesy of WENN, including Lovato on 9/10 at the NCLR awards