Demi Lovato dating Ryan Phillippe

She hasn't had a new man in her life since splitting with singer Joe Jonas, last year. 

But it appears that Demi Lovato has been enjoying a quiet dalliance, after reports emerged that the 18-year-old Disney star has been dating much older actor Ryan Phillippe, 36.

The singer had a smile on her face and a spring in her step as she left The Grove in Beverly Hills, last night, amid rumours of the new romance.

All smiles: Demi Lovato had a smile on her face as she left The Grove in Beverly Hills, last night, amid rumours of new romance with Ryan Phillippe

Make-up free Demi was beaming as she left the venue with friends, shrouded by security.

The heavily accessorised star, who checked into a rehabilitation facility in November, slipped into an oversized anti-drug T-shirt with the words 'The only coke I do is diet' emblazoned across the front.

She paired the look with some leather shorts, black cut off vest and a pair of tan leather peep-toe wedges.

She wore her signature tumbling brunette locks pulled back in a messy bun and hidden under a chocolate brown trilby hat and wore wayfarer sunglasses .

With a jangling of bracelets and necklaces, she carried an oversized chocolate leather bag as she left the venue surrounded by security.

Her outing with friends comes as it emerged yesterday that Demi had been dating Phillippe, for 'several months'. 

Message: Demi, who checked into a rehabilitation facility last year, slipped into an oversized anti-drug t-shirt with the words 'the only coke I do is diet' on the front

But according to the New York Daily News, the pair's fledgling relationship suffered when Phillippe's ex-girlfriend Alexis Knapp gave birth earlier this month, throwing Lovato 'for a loop'.

'It was really hot and heavy for a while,' a source told E! Online, but the arrival of Knapp's now two-week-old baby Kai 'kind of threw her for a loop.'

Demi's relationship with Phillippe comes after a trying time for the young star, which saw her enter a rehab facility in November 2010 to be treated for physical and emotional issues. 

Recently Demi revealed the extent of the problems, which led to her seek treatment. 

'I became like a little brat on set,' she told Ryan Seacrest on his KIIS FM radio show earlier this month.

New love: Her outing with friends comes as it emerged yesterday that Demi had been dating Phillippe, picture here, for 'several months'

'I just had so much growing up to do, not that I ever intended to be that way. I just had so much going on in my head. It all just boiled up and I ended up doing things that I regret to this day.'

Demi ended up seeking help after allegedly punching a back up dancer during the South American leg of the Jonas Brothers tour.

'It was the elephant in the room,' she told Seacrest of her eating and cutting disorders. 

'Everyone knew about it. It was affecting every aspect of my life. I was cranky, I was irritable, I was not pleasant really to work with.

Demi, who is currently promoting her new single Skyscraper, entered a treatment centre last November in Illinois.

'My family’s known that I’ve had issues with food and eating for about six years now,' she said. 

'I was able to check in with them but it got to a point where I just was lying, to everyone about eating and about being happy.

There’s a lot of pressure these days. I feel like I live in a city where no woman eats.'

The star, who also starred alongside The Jonas Brothers in two Camp Rock films, told Seacrest she was 'never suicidal' during rehab, but added: 'I was in some really really dark times.'

However, since leaving treatment in February, the songstress has stayed positive, getting the words 'stay strong' tattooed on her wrist, which has covered some of her self harming scars.

'It was very symbolic for me to be able to cover that up,' Demi said. 'And also replace it with something else that's permanent that I'll never be able to forget.'

The star recorded Skyscraper prior to her stint in rehab, and describes it as a very personal song.

'I just sat there and I just cried my eyes out, I was almost doubled over with emotion, was crazy,' she said of the recording experience.

'My whole point in being honest about my journey is to help others. With my problems, I was able to see that if I'm able to share it with people, maybe it would help that one girl.'

In fact Seacrest seemed so inspired by her story that he later tweeted after the interview: 'This is one brave girl. Hoping her story will bring strength to kids everywhere.'

Seacrest also asked Demi if her former boyfriend Joe Jonas knew about her problems while they filmed Camp Rock.

'He was my best friend for years prior to that so he knew - when we shot the first movie together,' she said - although admitted they are no longer close.

'Obviously I'm not super close with him any more just because a lot has happened, but I was very thankful to have the support of a lot of friends,' she said.