Demi Lovato returns to television with a leading role in new NBC comedy Hungry

Demi Lovato returns to television with a leading role in new NBC comedy Hungry… her first series regular role in a decade

Demi Lovato is returning to the small screen in a big way, landing a leading role in a new NBC comedy project entitled Hungry.

If the single-camera comedy project is ordered to series, it will mark the 28-year-old singer/actress’ first series regular role since playing the title character in Sonny With a Chance, which ran from 2009 to 2011.

While it hasn’t been given a series order just yet, it may be likely, since The Hollywood Reporter reveals NBC has given it a put pilot commitment, meaning the network will have to pay a penalty to the production company if it doesn’t air.

Demi’s TV return: Demi Lovato is returning to the small screen in a big way, landing a leading role in a new NBC comedy project entitled Hungry

Put pilot: While it hasn't been given a series order just yet, it may be likely, since The Hollywood Reporter reveals NBC has given it a put pilot commitment, meaning the network will have to pay a penalty to the production company if it doesn't air

Put pilot: While it hasn’t been given a series order just yet, it may be likely, since The Hollywood Reporter reveals NBC has given it a put pilot commitment, meaning the network will have to pay a penalty to the production company if it doesn’t air

Hungry will follow a group of friends who belong to a, ‘food issues group,’ though there are no details about Lovato’s specific character.

The show will follow these friends as they, ‘look for love, success and that one thing in the refrigerator that will make it all better.’

Lovato has been open about her struggles with an eating disorder in the past, revealing in an April interview with Harper’s Bazaar that it, ‘kept me from going back to acting for years.’

Struggles: Lovato has been open about her struggles with an eating disorder in the past, revealing in an April interview with Harper's Bazaar that it, 'kept me from going back to acting for years'

Struggles: Lovato has been open about her struggles with an eating disorder in the past, revealing in an April interview with Harper’s Bazaar that it, ‘kept me from going back to acting for years’

The actress will star and also serve as an executive producer on the project, alongside Sean Hayes and Todd Millner for their Hazy Mills production company.

Scooter Braun is also serving as an executive producer through his SB Projects banner, alongside James Shin and Scott Manson.

Hungry is the latest addition to NBC’s comedy development slate, which includes three comedy projects held over from 2020.

Executive producer: The actress will star and also serve as an executive producer on the project, alongside Sean Hayes and Todd Millner for their Hazy Mills production company

Executive producer: The actress will star and also serve as an executive producer on the project, alongside Sean Hayes and Todd Millner for their Hazy Mills production company

Also on the slate is Crazy For You starring Shelly Hennig from executive producers Seth Myers and Lorne Michaels, Someone Out There starring Ryan Hansen and Aimee Carrero and Jeffries starring Australian comedian Jim Jeffries.  

Lovato started acting at just 10 years of age, playing Angela in the hit TV series Barney & Friends.

She would go on to star in As the Bell Rings and had her breakthrough in 2008’s Camp Rock alongside The Jonas Brothers. 

Breakthrough: She would go on to star in As the Bell Rings and had her breakthrough in 2008's Camp Rock alongside The Jonas Brothers

Breakthrough: She would go on to star in As the Bell Rings and had her breakthrough in 2008’s Camp Rock alongside The Jonas Brothers

The actress-singer slowly started returning to acting a few years ago, voicing Smurfette in 2017’s Smurfs: The Lost Village.

She also recurred as Jenny in the final season of NBC’s hit series Will & Grace and starred alongside Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams in Netflix’s Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga. 

She also earned rave reviews for her performance of The Star-Spangled Banner at Super Bowl LIV last year, and she also recently performed at the primetime special for President Joe Biden’s inauguration last week. 

Super Bowl: She also earned rave reviews for her performance of The Star-Spangled Banner at Super Bowl LIV last year, and she also recently performed at the primetime special for President Joe Biden's inauguration last week

Super Bowl: She also earned rave reviews for her performance of The Star-Spangled Banner at Super Bowl LIV last year, and she also recently performed at the primetime special for President Joe Biden’s inauguration last week