Demi Lovato has been promoted to the rank of a BJJ purple belt about a week ago… With a part of the Jiu-Jitsu community questioning whether or not her purple belt is “legit”.
And now, her coach – Chris Light – decided to speak out:
The “controversy” seemed to be around her perceived lack of training time and whether or not she could actually be a “real” purple belt based on who she is.
Another issue raised was the lack of information regarding who she was actually training with.
Light continued to clarify Lovato’s training and experience:
I met and began training with Demi in 2018. She was a blue belt already, having started with our good friend, Orlando Sanchez. (RIP)
We met through our great mutual friend Jay Glazer at “Unbreakable Performance”, where we trained. She was training with high level people in both striking and jits.
We have trained consistently for the last 4+ years with minor breaks for her very public life and work schedule.
So, after 4 years of continuous training with him, Demi Lovato earned her purple belt:
2023, she gets promoted (long overdue I’ll add) to purple belt. She is a dedicated martial artist.
Light also urged the BJJ community to stay supportive of each other and to not fall into disrespectful behavior:
I believe that the mats are a sacred place. One of the very few places we actually have left in this world where people can go and develop real connections. No bull*hit.
Jiu-Jitsu brings people together. You can go anywhere on earth, and walk into a jj gym, and find some extended family.
Let’s not let that get away from us.
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