Sonny With a Chance holds, well, no chance. Demi Lovato announced in People Magazine that she will NOT be returning to filming Disney’s Sonny With a Chance, or it’s remake, So Random!
Demi Lovato is taking a chance.
The teen star – who entered treatment for “physical and emotional issues” last October – will not be returning to her hit Disney Channel series, Sonny with a Chance.
“It made sense for me to go ahead and leave the show to focus on my music,”Lovato, 18, tells PEOPLE in this week’s issue. “It’s kind of sad for me that a chapter of my life has ended but there couldn’t be a better time for me to move on.”
“I don’t think going back to Sonny would be healthy for my recovery,” says Lovato, who returned to Los Angeles in January after completing three months of in-patient treatment. “Being in front of a camera would make me nervous.”
And she has the support of the Disney Channel.
“We respect Demi’s decision to focus fulltime on her music and not immediately return to her acting career,” a rep for the Disney Channel said in a statement. “She is a talented young woman and our hearts are with her as she continues to take action to improve her health and bounce back from adversity.”
Lovato’s career took off after starring in the Disney Channel’s 2008 original movie Camp Rock, opposite the Jonas Brothers. Next came Sonny with a Chance, which debuted in 2010.
But even without its main star, the show will still go on: the series is being reinvented as a sketch comedy program called So Random!, which will debut in June.
Lovato, who will continue to record under Disney’s label Hollywood Records, calls her decision to walk away from her TV gig “nerve-racking.” But, she says, “I’m really excited to see where everything goes.”
As a reminder, this is Demi Lovato in Disney’s former hit show, Sonny With a Chance. (Click to enlarge.)
I can’t see So Random lasting very long especially with its format and the fact that there will have many new series like Jesse and Madison High coming soon. I liked Sonny With a Chance enough, but it was mainly because of Demi (I liked Zora the best but Demi made the show). If So Random does get cancelled, I hope that the cast gets roles in other stuff.
SWAC is a crappy show anyway and demi can’t act. cancel this unfunny crap
This is sad but I predicted this would happen as soon as Demi checked into rehab. I applaud her for seeking treatment but unfortunately, it also made her become “damaged goods” to Disney. 🙁 The press release seems contrived to me. I’ll bet what really happened was that Demi wanted to return to the show but Disney realized it wouldn’t be good for their wholesome image so they cut a deal. Demi gets to finish her career as a “Disney girl” but as a musical artist only. This probaby isn’t a bad arrangement since this is where the bulk of Demi’s talent is anyway.
I also agree with the others who beleive that “So Random” won’t last. I’m sure Disney realizes this too but they figure they’ll just use it as a one season filler while they hash out ideas for new shows. I still think my concept for a show called “Suite Life: The College Years” would definitely fly. 😀
Disney exec: “We respect Demi’s decision to focus fulltime on her music and not immediately return to her acting career.”
Bill’s interpretation: “Demi will never work the stage again.”
SMART
First it actually looks like she is making smart decisions with her life again. The show was not funny in the first place and I see So Random lasting 9-11 episodes if that.
Her music is probably the best part of her anyways so I’m glad she is focusing on that. I think out of the Disney girls she actually has one of the better voices.
Plus with Disney you know the deal. You are with them from 16-18 when you are young and adorable hitting that maturing weird teen hot, young adult smoke show and then you are done.
I really was hoping she’d film a couple weeks worth of material they could cut in with the other sketches. Oh well.
:'( I can’t be @GagaMonsterSWAC anymore… MY WEBSITE WAS FOR NOTHING! What am I gonna do about my site?!!! What I’m tryna figure out is, what are they going to say in the show? That Sonny has gone back to Wisconsin?
Demi is by far a better singer than actor so this move doesn’t come as a surprise. SWAC was not that funny and So Random has barely lasted a hot minute but it will be canceled.
Also, Demi is at the “peak” age of a Disney starlet so her time on TV is was coming to an end anyway, although the “peak” age thing doesn’t explain Debby Ryan’s new show. I wish good luck to Demi and I hope she continues to improve her mental and physical health issues.
I don’t see it lasting long, either…
I think So Random! will get one season, and will be good quality. Demi may get another tour or two. I can’t see her doing much more with Disney after a few years. I don’t care for her music, but I did enjoy her acting. She may get some small roles in other movies, or big roles in crappy movies. But I don’t think she’s amazing movie material. Goofy comedies, on the other hand, are another story. Not really romantic or action, though.
Best way I can describe Demi is: Jack of all trades, master of none.
I agree with pwfan
I am glad to see her focusing on her music.
It was still better than All That on Nickelodeon.
That saide, Demi and Selena are cretins–blame Texas.