Disney Channel star Demi Lovato is leaving the hit show "Sonny With a Chance," three months after finishing up in-patient treatment for bulimia and emotional issues, TheWrap has confirmed with the network.
A Disney Channel rep also tells TheWrap that they fully support Lovato's decision. "We want her to be happy and healthy," said the rep.
Also read: Disney Rejiggers 'Sonny With a Chance' While Demi Lovato Rehabs
"We respect Demi's decision to focus full-time on her music and not immediately return to her acting career," said a Disney Channel spokesperson in an official statement. "She is a talented young woman and our hearts are with her as she continues to take action to improve her health and bounce back from adversity."
In Lovato's wake, the network will turn "Sonny With a Chance," about the behind-the-scenes shenanigans at a sketch-comedy program called "So Random!", into a sketch-comedy program called — you guessed it — "So Random!"
The show's remaining cast members and writers are on board and most episodes will feature a special guest actor or musician, a la Saturday Night Live. "So Random!" will debut in June, and Disney Channel tells TheWrap that three of the guests will be Selena Gomez, Colbie Cailliat and Greyson Chance.
The Disney Channel says that it has had this contingency plan in place ever since Lovato entered treatment in October 2010 after getting in an altercation while participating in the Jonas Brothers/Camp Rock concert tour and dropping out to seek treatment for what her representatives then described as "emotional issues."
The decision to restructure the program indicates how important "Sonny With a Chance" and Lovato have been to the network. Now, at least one of its hottest properties will be retained.
Lovato, who is 18, is quoted in this week's People magazine that she'll continue with her recording career after finishing treatment. To date, she has released two albums: 2008's platinum-selling "Don't Forget" and 2009's "Here We Go Again," which hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart.
"I don't think going back to 'Sonny' would be healthy for my recovery," Lovato said. "Being in front of a camera would make me nervous."
Disney's decision to re-format the series keeps the 70-plus cast and crew members of "Sonny With a Chance" intact — at least for another season.
"We think it will work out for everybody," said the Disney Channel rep.