AceShowbiz -

Demi Lovato revealed why she's happy to show off her body in an interview with PEOPLE at the Samsung Hope for Children gala in New York on Thursday, September 17. The "Cool for the Summer" songstress said, "It's extremely important for me to even embrace my body and my sexuality with showing more skin - I think it's great."

Demi, who has long been open about her struggles with mental illness, body dysmorphia and self-harm, explained, "I went from being in a place where I was suffering from an eating disorder and hating every single inch of my body to now baring my legs and showing more skin in front of the whole world and being proud of my body instead of loathing it. It's important for me to show people you can go from hating to yourself to loving yourself and being proud of your body and the skin your in."

She channeled that poise on the cover of her upcoming album "Confident" and its title track. "When I give myself an hour, an hour and a half to focus solely on me, listening to the new album, getting hyped while working out and staying healthy, that meditation is what keeps me feeling confident, strong and inspired to be the best version of myself. [I can] help empower women with this album and my strength," shared the "Heart Attack" singer.

Demi opened up about enlisting Iggy Azalea on her new album, whom she said "killed it on" the collaboration "Kingdom Come". "I was a big fan already," she said of Iggy, "She's a strong woman, and I loved what she was doing on her album. We've become really good friends. When it was time to make [Confident], I was like, I definitely want you on the album, I just don't know which song would be best."

"I finally called her and was like: Hey, I have this song. Deadline's tomorrow. Do you want to hear it? And she was like, 'No, I'll just go into the studio tonight. Just send it over, and I'll do it.' She's so dope, so loyal, and she killed it," she added.

Demi said she wanted to use her voice for "something bigger." She explained, "Before I even made it in the industry, I'd felt like God told me if I were to ever make it, that I should use my voice for something bigger than just music. Those things - like having your own charities or giving to charity, are what makes a difference on this planet. That's what leaves a legacy, more so than just your music. When you have a voice that reaches 30 million people on Twitter, it's important that you use it for good."