Lovato and Smurfette continue life journey

Demi Lovato describes herself as an equalist.

"I also call myself a feminist who loves men," the 24-year-old American singer-songwriter and former Disney child star told AAP in a recent interview in Los Angeles.

"I don't want it to go one way or the other."

Lovato is no wallflower.

With a huge teenage and young adult fanbase, she has become a vocal crusader for multiple issues after breaking out of the shackles that came with being a child star.

She has also been open about her battles with depression, self-harm, an eating disorder, drugs and alcohol.

When Sony Pictures approached her to provide the voice for the independent, strong-willed Smurfette in their new animated film, Smurfs: The Lost Village, it was another vehicle to spread her message.

"Any time I hear the words 'independent women' I get a little excited," Lovato said.

"In our generation women can be strong, opinionated and take on their own journeys."

The film is the latest big screen movie about the little blue creatures first created by Belgian cartoonist Peyo in 1958.

In the new movie Smurfette, the only female, wonders why every other Smurf in her village has a name that indicates their place and she does not.

There's Baker Smurf (Gordon Ramsay), Hefty Smurf (Joe Manganiello), Jokey Smurf (Gabriel Iglesias) and many others.

A journey through the Forbidden Forest to find a lost village of Smurfs becomes a journey of self-discovery.

"It's such a happy world and there's so much positive energy tied to the Smurfs so being a part of it was exciting for me," Lovato said.

Lovato continues on her own life journey.

"I think when I was a teenager and thrusted into the spotlight I wanted to act like an adult when I really shouldn't have," she said.

"But now I have embarked on my own journey in trying to figure out who I am and being the best version of myself."

Smurfs: The Lost Village opens in Australia on March 30.