If you’re a fan of Demi Lovato (and honestly, who isn’t?), you’re going to love this one. Demi recently performed her own take on Disease and Perfect Celebrity, originally by Lady Gaga, and it’s packed with vocal goodness we can all learn from.
Whether you’re just starting your singing journey or you’ve been at it for a while, there’s so much to pick up from the way Demi Lovato approaches these songs.
Let’s dive into the techniques she uses, from chest voice and twang to belting and beyond, so you can start bringing some of that magic into your own singing.
Chest Voice and Vocal Constriction in Disease
One of the first things you’ll notice when Demi Lovato begins singing Disease is the rich, full chest voice she brings to the opening lines. There’s a slight constriction in her tone that gives it a raw, textured quality, almost a crackle. This isn’t a flaw; it’s a stylistic hallmark.
That gritty edge is part of what makes Demi Lovato’s interpretation of Disease so compelling. For singers who want to emulate this sound, it’s important to understand that a small amount of constriction can add character, but too much can lead to strain over time.
Understanding Twang and Epiglottic Narrowing
Alongside the chest voice texture, Demi Lovato uses a noticeable amount of twang throughout Disease. Twang is produced by a narrowing of the area just above the larynx, specifically the epiglottic sphincter.
This is sometimes referred to as aryepiglottic (AES) narrowing. The result is a bright, cutting tone that helps the voice project without requiring extra air pressure. Key points about twang include:
- It is created by the epiglottis coming down slightly to narrow the vocal tract opening.
- It adds brightness and projection without pushing for volume.
- It is commonly heard in rock, pop, country, and musical theatre styles.
- It should feel easy and resonant, not squeezed or forced.
This technique is a big part of why Demi Lovato’s voice cuts through so clearly in Perfect Celebrity and Disease alike, even when she pulls back from the microphone.
Tongue Positioning and Why It Varies Between Singers
A fascinating point that comes up during Demi Lovato’s cover of Disease is tongue positioning. Demi Lovato’s tongue appears quite wide and sits relatively flat and forward in her mouth when she belts.
This works beautifully for her because of her individual anatomy. Tongue length and width differ from person to person, just like hand size or height. What’s optimal for one singer may not work for another. Here’s what to keep in mind:
- Singers with longer tongues may benefit from a more forward tongue placement.
- Singers with shorter tongues might find that the same position makes it harder to hit higher notes cleanly.
- There is no single “correct” tongue position that works for every voice.
- Personalised guidance from a qualified vocal coach is the best way to find what works for your anatomy.
This is one of the biggest reasons why copying a favourite artist’s mouth shape doesn’t always produce the same results. When Demi Lovato sings Disease, her tongue position is ideal for her instrument, but yours may need to be entirely different.
Belting Technique and Vocal Weight in Perfect Celebrity
As Demi Lovato transitions into Perfect Celebrity, one of the most notable shifts is in vocal weight. In her earlier career, her belt had a heavier, more forceful quality.
Now, she’s refined it into something lighter and thinner in the upper register, almost reminiscent of Jessie J’s approach. She keeps her vocal folds thick while reducing the overall mass in the sound, which means she can sustain high notes with less effort and more control.
The key takeaway for aspiring singers is that belting doesn’t have to mean yelling. Once you find the right coordination, high belting can actually feel easier than you expect. The common mistake is pushing for volume, which causes the throat to close up and creates tension. Proper one-on-one training can help you find that sweet spot much faster.
Mouth Shape, Cheek Lift, and Soft Palate Connection
Throughout both Disease and Perfect Celebrity, Demi Lovato employs a wide, trumpet-like mouth shape when going for bigger notes. While a wider mouth opening can help when belting higher, it’s worth noting that she also pulls back the volume significantly.
She doesn’t rely on sheer loudness. Another subtle but effective technique is the slight lift in her cheeks during sustained high phrases. This cheek lift tends to encourage the soft palate to rise, which helps stabilize the voice in the upper register and adds a sense of openness to the resonance.
Riffs, Runs, and Jaw Movement
Demi Lovato’s riffs and vocal runs are impressive, though you’ll notice she moves her jaw during some of them. While this works perfectly fine for her (she’s been doing it for years), the ideal approach for developing singers is to isolate the tongue and jaw from pitch changes. Here’s why:
- Large jaw movements are slower motor actions that can limit speed during fast runs.
- The small, fine movements of the larynx and tongue are much quicker and more efficient.
- Building strength and independence in the tongue muscles allows for faster, cleaner riffs.
- Practising tongue isolation exercises can dramatically improve agility over time.
If jaw movement isn’t causing problems, it’s not necessarily something to fix. But for singers building their technique from the ground up, learning to keep the jaw relatively still during runs is a worthwhile goal.
Vocal Stamina and the Power of Consistent Training
Perhaps the most important lesson from watching Demi Lovato perform this medley is the sheer stamina on display. Singing at a high intensity for an extended stretch, moving between Disease and Perfect Celebrity without dropping quality, requires years of dedicated training.
Demi Lovato has been singing professionally since she was a teenager, and that depth of experience is exactly why she makes it look effortless.
The message for every aspiring singer is simple: anyone can learn to sing well, but it takes consistent, guided practice and ideally, personalised one-on-one coaching to make real, lasting changes to your technique.
If you want to learn more about how you can learn to implement these singing techniques into your own voice, let’s sit down for a chat and discuss if the vocal academy is the right fit for you. You can join us here.