Friends of Lovato’s said they became concerned when they learned that the singer had begun spending time with Brandon Johnson in April.
The man who allegedly provided singer Demi Lovato with the pills that she overdosed on in July said that he warned the singer that the pills were “aftermarket” and that she knew the risks with taking them.
Brandon Johnson told TMZ that Lovato texted him at 4 a.m. on the day that she overdosed, asking him to come over. Johnson said that he brought pills over and warned Lovato that they were not pharmaceuticals, so they were likely to be stronger.
TMZ has previously reported that Lovato’s overdose was likely caused by OxyContin pills laced with fentanyl and that Johnson got the pills from Mexico.
Johnson insinuated to TMZ that they had done drugs together in the past and that they had a sexual relationship.
After freebasing the pills together, Johnson told TMZ that he and Lovato watched true crime TV. When he left around 7 or 8 a.m. Lovato was asleep but not in distress, he said.
However, when Lovato’s assistant arrived around 11:30 a.m. the singer was in respiratory distress. Paramedics responded and administered Narcan to the pop star who went on to spend two weeks in the hospital before going to rehab.
Johnson said that Lovato’s overdose had made him realize how dangerous the pills can be. He added that the incident was “a wake up call for [Lovato].”
Friends of Lovato’s have told TMZ that Johnson is “bad news” and that they were worried when they learned that the singer had begun hanging around with him in April.
Just a month before the two connected, Johnson was reportedly arrested with $10,000, a loaded semi-automatic handgun and drugs. However, it seems to have been common knowledge with the singer’s circle that Johnson was dealing Lovato pills.
After her overdose, Lovato took to Instagram to discuss her overdose.
“I have always been transparent about my journey with addiction,” she wrote. “What I’ve learned is that this illness is not something that disappears or fades with time. It is something I must continue to overcome and have not done yet.”
She thanked the hospital that cared for her, and her friends and family.
“I now need time to heal and focus on my sobriety and road to recovery. The love you have all shown me will never be forgotten and I look forward to the day where I can say I came out on the other side. I will keep fighting.”
