In 2016, Page Six confirmed that Demi Lovato and Wilmer Valderrama had split after six years together, with the songstress posting a since-deleted statement on Instagram. "After almost six loving and wonderful years together, we have decided to end our relationship," it read in part. "This was an incredibly difficult decision for both of us, but we have realized more that anything that we are better as best friends. We will always be supportive for one another."

Notably, Valderrama told Entertainment Tonight just a few months prior, "We've been best friends for about six years. We haven't necessarily been dating for six years, but we have six years of friendship, and it's been ... it's been beautiful." 

He also shared that they connected because of mutual love, respect, and honesty. Echoing his thoughts, Lovato explained in "Simply Complicated" that the couple definitely hadn't fallen out of love with each other. Rather, "We decided together that we're just probably better as friends." 

She did acknowledge, however, feeling worried that they wouldn't remain as close after breaking up. Crucially, Valderrama stuck by Lovato in her toughest moments, including following her first rehab stint. "People told him, 'You should probably leave. She's on a spiral, and you're going to be sucked down with it,'" she confessed to Cosmopolitan. "But he was like, 'I'm not leaving. This is somebody I really care about.'"