Demi Lovato Says Israel Trip Was a ‘Spiritual Experience,’ Not a Political Statement Following Backlash

Earlier this week, Demi Lovato shared photos from her trip to Israel, including a moment in which she was baptized in the Jordan River and left her feeling “renewed.” After some severe backlash accusing the singer of taking a side on the ongoing Israel and Palestine conflict, Lovato turned off the comments on her post on Thursday (Oct. 3) and took to her Instagram story to provide an explanation.

“I am extremely frustrated,” she wrote, revealing that she went on the trip for free “in exchange for a few posts.”

She apologized for offending anyone, before adding “Sometimes people present you with opportunities and no one tells you the potential backlash you could face in return. This was meant to be a spiritual experience for me, NOT A POLITICAL STATEMENT and now I realize it hurt people and for that I’m sorry.”

“Sorry I’m not more educated, and sorry for thinking this trip was just a spiritual experience,” she continued. “Going against all advice right now and apologizing because it feels right to me and I’d rather get in trouble for being authentic to myself, than staying quiet to please other people. I love my fans, all of them, from all over.”

See her full response below.