THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

Lovato's newest album, Confident, has spawned hit singles like "Confident," "Cool for the Summer" and "Stone Cold."

Jonas just released a new record called Last Year Was Complicated that he's ready to play on the tour.

The two decided to cancel the tour dates at Raleigh and Charlotte in protest of the HB2 law as part of their mission to create an atmosphere where every attendee feels equal. At the Billboard Music Awards, Lovato stood up for transgender rights by wearing a shirt with a gender-neutral restroom sign on it.

Windy City Times took part in a press conference that featured Lovato and Jonas.

Question: Hi, Demi and Nick. So excited to see you will be performing in Chicago.

Demi Lovato: Cool.

Nick Jonas: Glad to come to Chicago. Can't wait!

Question: I would like to get the LGBT community to come out to the concert. You have both been so supportive of us over the years. Where did that come from?

DL: Well, I think, first of all, for me, my connection with the LGBT community is that I've always kind of been kind of like an outsider.

When I lived in Texas, I never fit in and I didn't agree with a lot of the opinions down in the South. When I got out to California, I just saw a whole new world and I thought, "I have no idea why this isn't like the rest of the United States and the rest of the world."

So, I'm just standing up for what's right and that's my connection with it.

Question: Since you have toured in the past, why did you decide to do it again this time?

NJ: I think Demi and I both sort of looked up about nine to 10 months ago and said how amazing both of our individual careers have kind of taken shape in a whole new way and with our ability to become business partners as well.

So the opportunity just felt perfect and once the creative conversations started, I think Demi and I were both on the same page in a lot of ways which made the whole conversation a lot easier.

DL: We chose now because our careers have really taken off over the past couple of years. Since we were younger we made that transition into the kind of teen world and to the mainstream world and now that we've both been able to do that.

We also started our own record label together, Safehouse Records, because we became business partners, we thought it would make the most sense as, not only label owners but label-mates. We're best friends as well so we thought it made perfect sense to go on the road together.

Question: Was it hard to break out of the Disney mold?

NJ: It was challenging at the beginning, for me at least, and still is, to a certain degree, I think, far less now than in the initial launch of my solo career. I think that there was an association with people's first introduction to me as opposed to them taking the music and my image for what it is now, in its current representation. So it took some time.

I see every challenge as an opportunity to pivot and find something—a new way of showing people what you're all about and giving them some more depth. There are moments, I think, we both pushed each other as well. Demi [pushed] me to get more vulnerable in my music with this next record and [encouraged] me to really open up about some things that happened in my life that I think will help people get even more connected to me. Those moments among friends and creative relationships are so important because I think they really shape not only your next steps but the way the world sees you as well, which is key in making a transition from a youthful career to what hopefully is a long lasting adult tour.

DL: For me, the transition was a little bit easier because I didn't have to do anything to break out of the Disney mold. I wanted to prove to people that I wasn't just a stereotypical Hollywood starlet that goes to rehab and falls back into the trap of the things that got her there. I wanted to make sure that the music that I made was great and that I was passionate about the music that I put out. I sang my heart out and wanted to continue the message of using my platform for more things than just singing about heartbreak. That's what music is for, is getting you through times, but also using it to inspire people.

Question: Are you doing big productions and separate sets or together?

NJ: The creative for the tour has really kind of locked in the last couple of weeks which has been really exciting for both of us. I think the focus is less on big gags and production elements because, you know, for Demi and I both, now, that has less importance. But it's about building content that is unique and speaks to what we've gone through in our lives and isn't just straight down the middle, also that makes you think and challenges people's thinking. Then, musically, just really elevating ourselves and making sure all the arrangements are dialed in and are exactly the way we see it and imagine it.

Then, the front of the show as well, I think, it's going to make it a really special night so instead of just doing separate sets, we're not doing that, we're going to make it a night of music. However long the first set and then it kind of seamlessly goes into Demi's and then mine, together, moments where feeling really personal and connected to the audience and more broad sort of big scope moments to create a real dynamic in the show.

Question: Demi, your latest album is very personal. Can you talk about your day to day life these days?

DL: My days now consist of doing things that are going to better myself. Right now, I'm actually at the gym and just took a break from my workout to do this interview.

Basically, I have a great environment. My life right now consists of gym, AA meetings and the studio, so that's pretty much my life, and I love it.

Question: Do you have any thoughts on Hillary running for president?

DL: I couldn't be more excited, especially as a woman. I couldn't be more excited but, also as a Hillary supporter, I'm just ecstatic and I've been supporting her since day one.

Question: With you not performing in North Carolina. do you feel artists have a responsibility to make political statements in the face of injustice?

NJ: I think that we can't speak for every artist out there. I think that Demi and I felt it to be really important and it's a tough call to make. We obviously feel disappointment ourselves knowing that our fans that were looking forward to the show were disappointed but there are these moments when something is as important to you as this issue was and is, where you kind of have to make a strong stand and hope that your fans unify with you.

But it is just an overall disappointing situation and hopefully there are artists that are always willing to make bold choices to stand for what they believe in.

Question: Demi, after making a big statement with your T-shirt at the Billboard Music Awards, how does it feel to use celebrity to further the idea of acceptance for all?

DL: I feel like, for me, I want to use my voice to make a difference in the world. There's so much more to my voice than just singing and I learned that at a young age. I had a moment where I just thought, you know I want to do so much more than just sing. I grew up with people that were judged for being gay, and I never understood it.

Obviously, "Cool for the Summer" has an undertone message to it so you can see how I'm passionate about that as well. But I think that anything that you do, I think you need to do it to the max—and if you can make a difference, for instance, with the Billboard Awards, I knew that this was an issue that we had been dealing with, with the cancellation of the shows, I wanted to make an impact and I wanted to make a statement that said, "Hey, listen, I hear you. I'm really sorry to the fans that are going to miss the show but this is an important issue to me and I want to speak out and I want to use my music to do it."

I think it's important for artists to remember that they can use their platform for the better.

Question: Nick, did you see newspaper article with Lin Manuel Miranda of Hamilton where he was objecting to ticket brokers using robotic software to gobble up tickets? What are your thoughts about outlawing this?

NJ: I did see that. First of all, I think Lin's amazing and just a creative mastermind. I've seen Hamilton and was really blown away, as a musical-theater fan and just as a fan of great work but I think that, again, it kind of goes back to the point about North Carolina and the cancellations of the shows there.

I think that any time you are given a platform and whatever you say can effect positive change, then there is a certain responsibility to speak up and I have a lot of respect for him for pushing for legislative change and going ahead with that. It's probably a long road and one that will take a lot of people speaking up, but as an artist, as a creator, you want to give the most people the opportunity to see the work and to be involved in what really is a cultural phenomenon, especially for someone like Len who's leaving the show pretty soon, so good for him, and I hope that there is a change made.

Look for Lovato and Jonas at the Allstate Arena, 6920 Mannheim Rd., on Tuesday, Aug. 2. Visit CivicTourHonda.com for details .