Exclusive: Camp Rock's Demi Lovato's Reunion with Dad

June 24, 2008

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"She'll always be 'my partner' — that's what we've always called each other," Patrick Lovato tells Star in an exclusive interview. "We have a special relationship that'll never change, no matter how big she becomes."

Patrick shares details about meeting Demi's mom, Dianna Hart, an ex-Dallas Cowboys cheerleader and country music singer, and how they married soon after and started a family in Texas. But their marriage ended in 1994, and after Patrick later moved to New Mexico and suffered some health problems, a wedge developed between him and Demi. For four years he didn't see his daughter until she made a surprise visit in February.

"I was at my dad's house when I heard a knock on the door, and he yelled out that someone wanted to see me," says Patrick. "I walked out of the bedroom — and there was Demi! I couldn't believe how beautiful she was.The first thing she said to me was, 'Hey, partner... I love you!' We threw our arms around each other and began to cry."

For the complete story — including details about the teary reunion and exclusive family photos of Demi and her dad — pick up the July 7 issue of Star, on sale Wednesday.