Kevin MazurDemi Lovato kicked off her North American tour last night with some very special guests.
The singer invited six students who survived the recent Parkland, Florida school shooting to join her on stage at the Viejas Arena in San Diego. They also participated in a pre-concert “CAST on Tour” session with fans. CAST is the mental health treatment center she co-owns.
Julius Castillo, Mackenzie Marie Chapman, Samantha Megan Deitsch, Maia Hebron, Eden Hebron and Sarah Stricker were all flown out from the East Coast to join Demi, who told them onstage how much she admires them and what they’ve been doing as a community.
The audience was also encouraged to text donations to the CAST Foundation, which will apply the money towards mental health resources for the students.
“Bringing CAST on Tour was very important to me because I want to be able to reach and inspire my fans. Tonight was our first night of the tour and it was incredibly special,” Demi says in a statement.
She continues, “…It was such an honor to meet [the students] and hear their courageous stories. I want to make sure their voices are being heard and we can provide them with the mental health and post trauma care they need.”
At each of her tour stops, Demi is holding CAST on Tour “therapy sessions” for fans, in partnership with CAST Centers.
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