Demi Lovato admits rapper DMX’s overdose gives her ‘survivor’s guilt’ after her own near-fatal OD

Demi Lovato has admitted DMX’s  drugs overdose, which has left him fighting for his life, gives her ‘survivor’s guilt’.

The singer, 28, overdosed on heroin and fentanyl in 2018, and has spent the last two years getting clean.

50-year-old rapper DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, is on life support at the White Plains Hospital in New York, where he was admitted on Friday. Sources told TMZ that the star overdosed around 11pm that evening and suffered a heart attack. He is said to be in a critical condition.

‘Guilt’: Demi Lovato has admitted DMX’s drugs overdose, which has left him fighting for his life, gives her ‘survivor’s guilt’. The singer, 28, overdosed on heroin and fentanyl in 2018 [pictured speaking to TMZ last week]

Speaking to TMZ via video link, the Cool For The Summer songstress admitted: ‘Any time I see someone OD or pass away that’s in the public eye I immediatly think “that could have been you had you not been putting all this work into the last couple of years of your life”.

‘There’s times I’ve felt like feeling survivor’s guilt. You do ask yourself “why am I still here, why are others not?” It’s challenging. I have to realise that every day is a day that someone else doesn’t get.

‘Every day I am here on this earth is a day I count my blessings. It makes me want to live the best life I can possibly have knowing others didnt get the chance…’

Demi’s new documentary and correspondonding music project – Dancing With The Devil – is based on her recovery.

Fighting for his life: 50-year-old rapper DMX is on life support at the White Plains Hospital in New York. Sources told TMZ that the star overdosed around 11pm Friday night and suffered a heart attack. He is said to be in a critical condition

Fighting for his life: 50-year-old rapper DMX is on life support at the White Plains Hospital in New York. Sources told TMZ that the star overdosed around 11pm Friday night and suffered a heart attack. He is said to be in a critical condition

Last week she released a visual via YouTube in which the singer relives the near-fatal experience, depicting herself receiving fentanyl-laced drugs on that fateful night in July 2018.

The video then cuts to her fighting for her life on a ventilator. 

Demi claims that, following her overdose, her drug dealer raped her before fleeing. Demi was discovered hours later by her former assistant.

Hundreds crowded outside White Plains Hospital in New York on Monday where DMX remains in the ICU following a heart attack, with his supporters chanting his name and praying for him at the emotional vigil.

Candid: Demi's new documentary and correspondonding music project - Dancing With The Devil - is based on her recovery

Candid: Demi’s new documentary and correspondonding music project – Dancing With The Devil – is based on her recovery

Reflective: Last week she released a visual via YouTube in which the singer relives the near-fatal experience, depicting herself receiving fentanyl-laced drugs on that fateful night in July 2018

Reflective: Last week she released a visual via YouTube in which the singer relives the near-fatal experience, depicting herself receiving fentanyl-laced drugs on that fateful night in July 2018

His family, friends and fans gathered outside the hospital while chanting ‘DMX! DMX!’ and when urged to by the main speaker, crossed their arms in the shape of an X.

A woman’s sobs reverberated as those in the crowd heard a recording of the rapper. 

DMX’s fiancee Desiree Lindstrom was pictured overcome with emotion while being embraced by the rapper’s ex-wife Tashera Simmons. 

The crowd had brought with them brightly colored ‘DMX’ balloons outside the hospital while others wore t-shirts embellished with his name and raised their hands in a fist in an emotional tribute.

Medical staff were also seen inside the hospital holding up their arms in X signs.

Some of his 15 children are visiting him in the hospital for what is thought to be ‘a final goodbye’, TMZ reported on Monday.  

Crowds: Hundreds crowded outside the White Plains Hospital in New York Monday where rapper DMX remains in the ICU following a heart attack, with his supporters chanting his name and praying for him at the emotional vigil

Crowds: Hundreds crowded outside the White Plains Hospital in New York Monday where rapper DMX remains in the ICU following a heart attack, with his supporters chanting his name and praying for him at the emotional vigil

Family, friends, fans: Those gathered outside the hospital were chanting 'DMX! DMX!' in New York

Family, friends, fans: Those gathered outside the hospital were chanting ‘DMX! DMX!’ in New York 

Distraugt: DMX's fiancee Desiree Lindstrom (right) was pictured overcome with emotion while being embraced by the rapper's ex-wife Tashera Simmons (left)

Distraugt: DMX’s fiancee Desiree Lindstrom (right) was pictured overcome with emotion while being embraced by the rapper’s ex-wife Tashera Simmons (left)

Tragic: The children of rapper DMX have rushed to his bedside in the ICU to visit their father for what is thought to be 'a final goodbye' as he remains on life support following a heart attack, TMZ reported on Monday

Tragic: The children of rapper DMX have rushed to his bedside in the ICU to visit their father for what is thought to be ‘a final goodbye’ as he remains on life support following a heart attack, TMZ reported on Monday

Support: Some fans hold up 'DMX' balloons during the prayer vigil Monday outside the White Plains Hospital in New York

Support: Some fans hold up ‘DMX’ balloons during the prayer vigil Monday outside the White Plains Hospital in New York

Solidarity: DMX's family, friends and fans raise their arms in an 'X' at the vigil Monday to pay tribute to the rapper who is in ICU

Solidarity: DMX’s family, friends and fans raise their arms in an ‘X’ at the vigil Monday to pay tribute to the rapper who is in ICU

Vigil: DMX's fiancee Desiree Lindstrom (right) and the rapper's ex-wife Tashera Simmons (left) formed a X in tribute to DMX

Vigil: DMX’s fiancee Desiree Lindstrom (right) and the rapper’s ex-wife Tashera Simmons (left) formed a X in tribute to DMX

The rapper’s condition remains critical and ‘dire’, according to TMZ. This prompted an undetermined number of DMX’s children to head to White Plains to say their goodbyes.

The outlet added that COVID-19 safety restrictions are complicating the matter with sources saying that only one person will be allowed to visit DMX at a time.

DMX has been holding on to life for the last several days after allegedly overdosing and subsequently having a heart attack.  

‘On Friday night, April 2nd, 2021, our brother, son, father, and colleague DMX, birth name of Earl Simmons, was admitted to White Plains (NY) Hospital, facing serious health issues,’ the family said through a publicist. ‘We ask that you please keep Earl/DMX and us in your thoughts, wishes, and prayers as well as respect our privacy as we face these challenges.’

Crowds: The outlet added that COVID-19 safety restrictions are complicating the matter with sources saying that only one person will be allowed to visit DMX at a time

Crowds: The outlet added that COVID-19 safety restrictions are complicating the matter with sources saying that only one person will be allowed to visit DMX at a time

Hundreds: Crowds of fans pay tribute to the rapper who suffered a heart attack on Friday and was rushed to hospital

Hundreds: Crowds of fans pay tribute to the rapper who suffered a heart attack on Friday and was rushed to hospital 

Driving in: Biker fans of hospitalized rapper DMX attend the vigil Monday to pray for the recovery of the 50-year-old

Driving in: Biker fans of hospitalized rapper DMX attend the vigil Monday to pray for the recovery of the 50-year-old

Beloved father: The rapper's condition remains critical and 'dire', according to TMZ, which prompted several of DMX's  15 children to head to White Plains to say their goodbyes (pictured with some of his children in 2004)

Beloved father: The rapper’s condition remains critical and ‘dire’, according to TMZ, which prompted several of DMX’s  15 children to head to White Plains to say their goodbyes (pictured with some of his children in 2004)

Another statement released Sunday afternoon said the rapper remained in a coma and was on a ventilator.

Simmons’ longtime lawyer, Murray Richman, said the rapper was admitted to the intensive care unit at White Plains Hospital after going into cardiac arrest. 

Richman said he could not confirm reports that DMX overdosed on drugs and was not sure what caused the heart attack.

‘He had a heart attack. He´s quite ill,’ Richman said. ‘I’m very sad about it, extremely sad. He’s like my son.

‘He’s just a tremendous person, tremendous entertainer, tremendous human being. And so much to offer, so much to say. Not the run-of-the-mill rapper. A person of great depth.’    

Coma: Another statement released Sunday afternoon said the rapper remained in a coma and was on a ventilator

Coma: Another statement released Sunday afternoon said the rapper remained in a coma and was on a ventilator

Unify: The family of the rapper said in an email Sunday that the vigil will be held outside White Plains Hospital at 5 pm; seen in 2000

Unify: The family of the rapper said in an email Sunday that the vigil will be held outside White Plains Hospital at 5 pm; seen in 2000

Doctors at White Plains Hospital in New York have said the rapper’s prognosis is poor while family members have said his life hangs in the balance. 

DMX was said to be off life support earlier Saturday but his lawyer later said that the news was a ‘misstatement’. 

Sources told TMZ that the star overdosed around 11pm on Friday and was rushed to the hospital where he is in critical care.

Throwback: Seen in 2017 in court in New York City

Throwback: Seen in 2017 in court in New York City

One relative explained that paramedics tried to resuscitate him for 30 minutes when he was taken to hospital on Friday night, during which time he was deprived of oxygen for an extended period. 

Doctors say the lack of oxygen severely affected his brain, with one family member saying ‘It’s not looking good.’ 

Although he has been described as having ‘some brain activity,’ doctors are still worried that he may not pull through.

‘Last night Earl ‘DMX’ Simmons was rushed to the hospital after collapsing at home. At this time he remains in ICU in critical condition. Earl has been a warrior his entire life. This situation represents yet another road he must conquer.’ a statement by the family read.  

‘The Simmons Family appreciates the overwhelming outpouring of heartfelt love, encouragement, support and prayers for Earl. Earl is someone whose life and music have been a source of inspiration and strength to so many people around the world. It is reassuring to see his fans return that same passion and energy to him during his time of need.’ 

Kelly Rowland was among an array of celebrities offering prayers for DMX this weekend. ‘Lord God in Heaven, bless our brother DMX,’ said Kelly, 40, in an emotional video on her Insta Stories this Saturday, ‘I ask that you would bless his family.’

Prognosis: Doctors at White Plains Hospital in New York have said the rapper's prognosis is poor while family members have said his life hangs in the balance

Prognosis: Doctors at White Plains Hospital in New York have said the rapper’s prognosis is poor while family members have said his life hangs in the balance

To God's ears: Kelly Rowland was among an array of celebrities offering prayers for DMX this weekend after the rapper was hospitalized Friday

To God’s ears: Kelly Rowland was among an array of celebrities offering prayers for DMX this weekend after the rapper was hospitalized Friday

She added: ‘I ask that you would wrap them with love and support right now. Lord God I ask that you would please cover and keep our brother DMX right now in his bed, Lord God, and ask that you would have mercy on his life.’

Kelly declared that ‘we just hold him up to you and ask that you shine your purest white light on him and all he loves. We thank you for his life, we thank you for allowing us to witness his gift and ask that this is not the end of the road. Lord God, we thank you, in Jesus’ name, amen.’

‘Please pray, send healing energy, whatever positive vibes you can for #DMX,’ tweeted Gabrielle Union during the day on Saturday.