Demi Lovato Reflects On Past Age-Gap Romance With Wilmer Valderrama And Says It Was 'Not Ok'

The "Confident" singer appeared to take a subtle dig at the "NCIS" actor during a recent conversation, even though she never mentioned him directly by name.

Lovato shared the comments while appearing on Tuesday’s episode of Keke Palmer’s podcast, "Baby, This Is Keke Palmer.", where the two discussed life in the spotlight and experiences growing up in the entertainment industry.

"I'm sitting here in this state of mind today, like, grateful for everything that I've been through," Lovato, now 33, explained during the conversation.

She continued reflecting on that period of her life and added: "It was really challenging. There wasn't a lot of time for play, but when I did, I played pretty hard."

Demi Lovato shaded her ex, Wilmer Valderrama, pictured together at the 2015 American Music Awards. FilmMagic

The discussion between the two performers focused on what it was like growing up while working in entertainment and dealing with pressures that many teenagers never experience.

Both Lovato and Palmer talked about how those early years shaped their personal lives and the relationships they found themselves in at the time.

Lovato (seen above) said her 12-year age-gap romance with Valderrama was “not OK.” Baby This is Keke Palmer/Youtube

Palmer, who is 32, responded by sharing her own perspective on what young stars sometimes experience while navigating adulthood in the public eye.

She said: "I feel like people don't understand that that's what we was dealing with, you know? I found myself dating. I'm 15. Why is my boyfriend 20?"

Lovato responded with a quick remark that seemed to refer to Valderrama, who is now 46, saying: "Why was my boyfriend 30?" "You know what I'm saying?"

Lovato and Valderrama first began dating in 2010. At the time, she was 18 years old while he was 30.

The relationship lasted for several years before the two eventually ended things in 2016.

“Why was my boyfriend 30?” Lovato quipped about Valderrama, pictured together at the 2016 Grammy Awards. Getty Images for NARAS

The conversation continued with both stars discussing how difficult it can be for young celebrities to understand their own experiences when they are still growing up.

Looking back later in life can sometimes change how those relationships are viewed.

Lovato and Valderrama, seen together at the 2016 Vanity Fair Oscar Party, were 18 and 30 when they started dating. FilmMagic

Palmer explained that many child stars "were trying to find outlets and just a way to process" during that time in their lives.

Lovato agreed and reflected on how isolating those early years could feel. She said: "Nobody our age could understand,"

Looking back on the situation with more distance and maturity, she added: "But then you look back in hindsight. When I turned 30 I was like, 'That's not OK.'"

Palmer then continued her thought and said: "Girl, the moment that you realize and you get to the age that a lot of people that were around you and doing stuff," "It's almost a mental break that can happen because you realize you were taken advantage of. 'Oh, I was being exploited.'"

Lovato agreed with the point and added another thought about how maturity and personality can also influence how people experience situations at a young age.

She said: "Especially if you are an older soul, too. Especially if you're mature for your age."

The exes, seen above at the 2015 iHeartRadio Music Festival, dated on and off from 2010 to 2016. WireImage

The discussion also touched on Lovato’s music and how some of her personal experiences eventually found their way into her songwriting.

Lovato, seen with Valderrama at the 2015 American Music Awards, wrote her song “29” about the actor. Charley Gallay/AMA2015

The "Camp Rock" alum confirmed during the podcast that her 2022 track "29" was inspired by being in a relationship with an older partner.

Lovato explained the emotional perspective behind the song and said: "When you listen to it, I think you'll be able to relate to it,"

The lyrics to "29" directly reference the age gap between the two when they first met and describe Lovato being "too young to drink wine."

"Just five years of bleeders, student and a teacher / Far from innocent / What the f–k's consent? / Numbers told you not to / But that didn't stop you," she sings in the track.

Lovato’s song “29” references her being “too young to drink wine” when she started dating Valderrama. WireImage

The relationship between the two has been discussed several times over the years, including in Lovato’s earlier documentary projects.

Lovato, seen above at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, met Valderrama at his house in January 2010. Getty Images for MTV

In her 2017 documentary, "Simply Complicated,", Lovato spoke about the moment she first met the "That '70s Show" alum.

She recalled meeting him at his house in January 2010 and said: "[When] I laid eyes on him for the first time, I was in hair and makeup, and he came in and sat down and I was like 'I love this man' and 'I have to have him,'"

Lovato explained that because she was still underage at the time, the relationship did not begin immediately. She remembered: "But I was only 17, so he was like, 'Get away from me.'"

She then described how things later changed, saying: "After I turned 18, we began dating," "I think it was love at first sight, and I don't really believe in that, but I believe that it happened."

Valderrama, seen above at the Operation Smile 8th Annual Park City Ski Challenge in Park City, Utah, in 2019, is now engaged to Amanda Pacheco. Getty Images for Operation Smile

Although the relationship eventually ended, both Lovato and Valderrama have spoken publicly about remaining on respectful terms after their breakup.

Lovato is now married to musician Jutes. ddlovato/Instagram

The former couple remained friendly following their split in 2016.

Valderrama even visited Lovato in the hospital after her overdose in 2018, which showed that some level of support remained between them.

Since then, both have moved forward with their personal lives.

Valderrama is currently engaged to Amanda Pacheco, and the couple now share two children.

Lovato married musician Jutes, 34, in California last May.