If scientists could find a way to harness the power of thousands of screaming teenage girls for good, we could likely mark global warming and world peace off our to-do list. Former Disney star turned pop princess Demi Lovato and the up-and-coming Austin Mahone took over Rodeo Houston Sunday, thrilling the thousands of teens in attendance.
San Antonio native Mahone may not be the Biebs, but that didn’t keep the tween girls from screaming at the 16-year-old's every move. His nine-song set included “Shawty Shawty” and “11:11” but even when he and his crew busted out the now tiresome Harlem Shuffle, the reward was yes, more screaming.
Mahone went acoustic for "Beautiful Soul" and "Let Me Love You," setting up shop with a guitar and a stool onstage. It was a nice touch and a welcome break from the annoying electronic alert that sounded in between his songs.
Lovato walked away from the successful shows, coming clean and receiving treatment for eating disorders, cutting, drugs and alcohol.
Lovato has come a long way from her days on Disney’s Sonny With A Chance and Camp Rock. The pressures of being a kid in Mickey’s shadow were overwhelming and Lovato walked away from the successful shows, coming clean and receiving treatment for eating disorders, cutting, drugs and alcohol.
The move was brave and marked her as a role model for many everyday girls who deal with the universal pressures — whether they are on the Disney Channel or not.
Just before singing her hit "Skyscraper," Lovato addressed her past with a nod to the future.
“I’m performing with a purpose. I’m living proof you can get through it and make it out alive. Everybody deserves happiness,” Lovato said before sitting down to the keyboard. She maneuvered around the rotating stage, despite being in a leg cast after falling and injuring herself in February and was heartfelt in her joy from being surrounded by so many fans.
The Texas native sang fan favorites “Love Like a Star,” “Fix a Heart” and in a nod to her home state, Miranda Lambert’s “The House That Built Me.” Lovato has a breathy delivery that battles with her tendency to over sing, but she mixes pop fun with just enough angst to make her songs relatable to girls everywhere.
And that’s something worth screaming about.
Demi Lovato brought plenty of energy to her RodeoHouston show.
