Pop star Demi Lovato credits her stint in rehab with helping her to leave her Disney days firmly in her past.

The Confident hitmaker rose to fame as a child star on the family-friendly network, but she struggled with the pressures of Hollywood and ended up seeking professional help in 2010, at the age of 18, after battling a string of issues with eating disorders, self-harming, and substance abuse.

It was a tough time for Demi, but she has since emerged strong and sober, and the 24-year-old admits conquering her personal troubles in the public eye actually helped her transition from a Disney darling to a grown-up star.

"For me, the transition was a little bit easier because I didn't have to do anything to break out of the Disney mould," she told The Calgary Herald.

"It's a lot easier when you just go to rehab," she continued. "So, I kind of grew up really fast in the public eye in that way and so when it was time to release my music, I think people looked at me differently."