Demi Lovato 'was held back by the patriarchy' in coming out as non-binary

Demi Lovato has opened up about their struggle to come out as non-binary, saying they were held back by the patriarchy in the music industry.

Singer Lovato, 28, recently told fans in an emotional video about their struggle with identifying as non-binary and their pronoun change to they/them.

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Now, the Heart Attack singer has spoken to actor Jane Fonda for Fire Drill Fridays, where she discusses environmental issues, and they explained the tough circumstances they had been in for years as a part of the music industry.

They said: "After years of living my life for other people, trying to make myself smaller for the patriarchy, they run the industry, they are at the centre of everything.

"When I realised that, I thought, 'What are the ways that the patriarchy has been holding me back?' And for me, it was putting me in a box telling [me], 'You are a female, this is what you're supposed to like, this is what you're supposed to do, don't dream bigger and don’t speak louder.'"

When Lovato posted about their non-binary identity on Instagram earlier this month, they wrote: "Every day we wake up, we are given another opportunity and chance to be who we want and wish to be. I’ve spent the majority of my life growing in front of all of you… you’ve seen the good, the bad, and everything in between.

"Not only has my life been a journey for myself, I was also living for those on the other side of the cameras.

"Today is a day I'm so happy to share more of my life with you all - I am proud to let you know that I identify as non-binary and will officially be changing my pronouns to they/them moving forward."

Lovato has also recently launched a podcast, 4D with Demi Lovato, where they have opened up more on the issues they have been facing.

Watch: Demi Lovato says the patriarchy prevented them coming out as non-binary sooner