Demi Lovato: Anti-Bullying Ambassador Will Rock a New Style Statement for 'Mean Stinks' Campaign

Posted on Sep 20th 2012 12:25PM by Contessa Gayles

Demi Lovato Anti-Bullying Kevin Winter, Getty

After an audition from a victim of bullying brought her to tears on the "X Factor" last week, Demi Lovato has announced her newest anti-bullying effort. The pop star will serve as an ambassador for Secret's "Mean Stinks" campaign, which encourages girls to bring an end to school bullying.

For the former Disney star, who entered treatment for depression, eating disorders and self-mutilation back in 2010, bullying is an issue that hits close to home. "I had a really tough time when I was in middle school," the 20-year-old "X Factor" judge told PEOPLE. "People would write 'hate petitions' [about me] and send them around to be signed," Demi recalled.

"They'd have CD-bashing parties of my demos. They'd come to my house, stand across the street and yell things. It was a very emotional time for me, and all I wanted to do was get away."

Now, Lovato is eager to do her part to fight back and prevent bullying from hurting others as it hurt her. "They're really trying to put an end to bullying," she said of the deodorant brand's new initiative, which asks girls to pledge to have a "Drama Free School Year."

The pledge is signified by a pinky swear, visually marked by painting your pinky nail with blue polish. "I'll definitely be wearing [the nail polish] starting soon," Lovato said. "It's a conversation starter: 'Hey, why is your pinky blue?' 'This is a pinky promise that I'm not going to bully people, that me and my friends are ganging up for good.'"

Check Out Demi in Our "Pop Stars Who Went Goth" Gallery