Celebrity 'This Hasn't Been An Easy Year' for Demi Lovato, Even Before She and Wilmer Valderrama Split: Source "There's a lot of love between them," a source says of the exes, who announced their split last week By Jeff Nelson Jeff Nelson Instagram Twitter Jeff Nelson is the Senior News Editor, Entertainment at PEOPLE. For nearly a decade, he has worked across the brand's entertainment verticals, reporting on breaking news and writing and editing across platforms, as well as securing A-list cover exclusives, including Barry Manilow's coming out and an at-home interview with Madonna. Jeff has appeared as an expert on Good Morning America, Extra, HLN and SiriusXM, as well as at RuPaul's DragCon as a moderator. He studied magazine journalism at Drake University, graduating with a B.A. in Journalism & Mass Communication. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on December 19, 2019 06:48 AM Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: John Shearer/Getty Demi Lovato is giving her heart a break. “This hasn’t been an easy year for Demi,” an insider tells PEOPLE of the “Confident” singer, 23, who on Friday announced via social media that she and her boyfriend of nearly six years, Wilmer Valderrama, 36, decided to split. Indeed, the singer has struggled with a great deal of loss in the months leading up to her breakup: Last July, Lovato’s dog Buddy was killed in a tragic accident; her great-grandfather died in September; she lost her other dog, Spawn, in December; and just last week, her great-grandmother also died. “She’s making sure to surround herself with family and friends after announcing the split,” the insider adds. RELATED VIDEO: Nick Jonas Needs Demi Lovato’s Stamp of Approval for All His Dates?! Soon, Lovato will be spending even more time with one of those close friends: She and longtime pal Nick Jonas will hit the road for their Future Now tour, which kicks off in Atlanta on June 29. A source close to Lovato and Valderrama says the split was completely amicable. Adds the insider: “There was a lot of love between them – they were always so supportive of each other.” The exes announced their breakup over the weekend on Instagram: “After almost 6 loving and wonderful years together, we have decided to end our relationship. This was an incredibly difficult decision for both of us, but we have realized more than anything that we are better as best friends. We will always be supportive of one another. Thank you to everyone who has offered us kindness and support over the years.”