Many think of the Disney Princess as a paragon of femininity, a product of her time. Although the Disney Renaissance has brought about strong female characters such as Mulan, Ariel, Jasmine, and Belle, their fables can enable unrealistic aspirations for impressionable young minds. (In Twitter pics: Demi Lovato live in Manila)

The Disney Princess must be regal as she is ineffable. Her image must be faultless, and this is an extensive impression management project across the media empire and its company of stars..

Demi Lovato has roots in this project, and still (quite) maintains her darling status in spite of a controversial troubled past —familiar territory of a young star gone rogue. But with much sincerity and vulnerability, Lovato has reconciled this with her role in music. This is precisely where Lovato has found her edge—not by being the black sheep of the perpetual star-churning machine, but by being transparent about dealing with her problems and about struggling to overcome these. 

 On the evening of April 30 at the Mall of Asia Arena, she rocked and belted out her songs (some penned by herself) with so much ferocity while showing that she is still—to the core—a princess. Here is how she let Manila know just that. 

1. ‘Little stars’ 

 The arena was configured tightly, as only a narrow portion of the available seats was allotted. It felt all too strangely intimate but also a tad discomfiting as dozens of hysterical young girls, proudly wearing their fandom on their literal sleeves (and bunny ear headbands), shrieked constantly.

Lovato went through several adrenaline-pumping songs, opening with the sassy “Really Don’t Care.” She sustained the energy with songs like “Remember December.”

Proud “Lovatics” (as they are popularly known) were very giddy. They even stood on their chairs to get a better view of her, before being chided by event security. The pop star was remarkably composed amidst all the frenzy, but she was also a natural at stoking the fever-pitch atmosphere, “Your energy is amazing! Are you guys excited for tonight?!”

As with a lot of concerts these days, she asked the audience to hold their phones up with the lights on. She affectionately told everyone, “You guys look like little stars,” before performing the aptly titled, “My Love is Like a Star.” 

As with a lot of concerts these days, she asked the audience to hold their phones up with the lights on. She affectionately told everyone, “You guys look like little stars,” before performing the aptly titled, “My Love is Like a Star.” 

She held her neon green phone out and snapped pictures of her young fans, who were also naturally trying to document the entire affair. The spotlights were on her, but she wasn’t selfish and let the crowd bask in them as well. 

The fans love her, but she clearly adores them back. She told the local crowd, “The thing about my Lovatics, if you didn’t know, [is that] they’re so dedicated and devoted… and especially my Lovatics here in the Philippines. For those of you who didn’t go [to my previous concert], welcome and I hope you have the best time tonight.”

2. Young at heart, with a heart for the young

Demi Lovato was definitely thrilled to be here again to meet her legion of young fans. 

As she paused in between songs, she interacted with some very young members of the audience, “Hi, little one! Hi! She’s wearing a Demi shirt, and she’s so cute.” She let out a quirky laugh and admitted something childlike about herself, “Ha ha ha ha ha! Hi hi hi hi hi! I get distracted really easily.” Addressing the little one, she showed her humorous side, “You, the little one in the blue [sic], how old are you? How old are you? Five!? You know, my fiancé is five.”

 Like a true Disney princess, she was doting, with the demeanor that you would expect from the sort of characters the film Enchanted was trying to be meta-aware about (Some people would have almost expected her to belt her cover of, “That’s How You Know” from the said film). She has been known to be irreverent and candid. During the concert though, she showed restraint, effortlessly dodging the urge to drop a F-bomb or detailing her past troubles—aware of the wide-eyed spectators in the arena. 

She told the audience a familiar but sincere confession: how as a little girl, worldwide success was inconceivable, “I never imagined, when I was a young girl, that I’d ever be… not only fortunate enough to travel to the Philippines…” 

“I dreamed that people across the world—especially the Philippines… I dreamed… and I hoped… and I prayed that people would know my music on the other side of the world. And it’s so humbling to be here in front of you guys. It makes me so happy.” (READ: Demi Lovato on PH: ‘Everybody always makes me feel welcome here’)

Lovato revealed a charming innocence, which was a good thing. She was able to draw from the wisdom of the years past, but expressed it through the earnestness like that of a child. It’s complicated to tell apart pretense from genuineness. But this comes viscerally when it feels like one is having a raw and honest conversation.

Lovato revealed a charming naïveté, which was a good thing. She was able to draw from the wisdom of the years past, but expressed it through the earnestness like that of a child. It’s complicated to tell apart pretense from genuineness. But this comes viscerally when it feels like one is having a raw and honest conversation.

3. The cold never bothered me anyway’

“Let it go” have become three ubiquitous words with the unprecedented success of Disney’s Frozen. The song has dominated the airwaves and cyberspace, and it’s almost tongue-in-cheek to plainly say, just let it go.

When Lovato did her contemporary-sounding rendition of the film’s showstopper, she practically assumed the role of an iconic Disney Princess (or rather, a queen, Elsa). With the changing of the times, the character has subverted Disney’s own tradition by her complexities, which aren’t necessarily new but are genuinely relatable. With conviction, she could sing, “…and the fears that once controlled me can’t get to me at all,” while drawing from her experiences. 

Frozen is essentially a coming of age film. Coming to terms with oneself as one matures is a painstaking struggle that is altogether real, and the song describes the capability to rise above it all. As she sung it with scenes from the movie playing on the LED backdrop, anyone in the audience going through a rough patch could feel the same waves of emotions rushing.

4. Demi tells a story about Helen

Lovato was most transparent when she recounted her conversation with a fan named Helen. Understandably, only a handful is privy to the emotional exchange. Before performing “Warrior,” the singer shares, “I got my girl Helen in the front row, who I actually dedicate this next song to… because Helen opened up to me and told me about her story… [She was inspired] because I came out about my story. “

The point had been driven home through various forms, but Lovato said it as straightforward as it could get, “…I want you to know that as tough as this journey can be, you can come out of this standing strong, and that I’m here with you every step of the way. And that goes to anybody that’s dealing with things. I may not be in your country every day, but my music is.”

It’s easy to dismiss this as trite and preachy. But it’s even easier to forget that despite the radical difference of a larger-than-life pop star—clichéd as this might sound—because of her human frailty, she is also capable of telling her own rich stories to inspire. She holds a privilege—having a prominent voice and being so visible in the public sphere—and she has used this to help others.

She ended the night with an encore of “Neon Lights,” addressing the audience between the lines, “You’re beautiful!” Lovato kept it real, showering everyone with her affection, and indeed, baring one’s soul can be refreshing. 

Royalty inspires. This was exactly what she did. – Rappler.com

Paolo Abad is a film/television editor and motion graphic designer. He is also a self-confessed concert junkie. Follow his Instagram for live music @outoftunephoto

All photos by Paolo Abad/Rappler