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Demi Lovato Takes Selena Gomez's Place at 2016 Global Citizen Festival

Gomez announced she is taking time off to deal with depression following Lupus diagnosis

On the heels of Selena Gomez's announced break from the spotlight, Demi Lovato has agreed to fill in as a headliner of the 2016 Global Citizen Festival in late September, an annual benefit concert Gomez was originally slated to perform in.

After publicly revealing her ongoing struggle with the side effects of her Lupus diagnosis, including anxiety, panic attacks and depression, Gomez announced she is taking time off to "be proactive and focus on maintaining [her] health and happiness," as she told People. Gomez was also slated to perform a leg of her Revival World Tour in Europe and South America, but all remaining shows scheduled into mid-December have also been canceled.

Demi Lovato's Best Looks

Meanwhile, Lovato, who has been a longtime mental health advocate, is proud to join this year's lineup and support the concert's global effort to end world poverty.

"The Global Citizen Festival combines music and activism in a way that inspires and affects millions around the world. I am proud to support this amazing organization's ongoing efforts to improve global healthcare and to end extreme poverty," she told the magazine.

The MTV VMA winner will join this year's MTV Video Vanguard honoree Rihanna, Metallica and Grammy-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar on the New York City stage in just a few weeks.

Selena Gomez Is Taking Time Off Due to Anxiety, Panic Attacks and Depression Stemming From Her Lupus Diagnosis

Usher, Coldplay's Chris Martin, creative director of the festival, and Ellie Goulding are also scheduled to appear as special guest performers.

As for hosts of the highly anticipated evening, Oscar nominee Hugh Jackman and his wife Deborra-Lee Furness, Neil Patrick Harris, "Quantico" star Priyanka Chopra, Chelsea Handler, Salma Hayek and Seth Meyers will all have the mic to guide the show along.

However, tickets to this star-studded show cannot be purchased. Instead, the organization has offered fans opportunities to "take action" to earn their spot in the Central Park crowd come Sept. 24. For those interested, visit the Global Citizen's website to learn more about how you can secure your night out in three weeks and do some good in the process.

Not to fret--for those who can't get their hands on a ticket, the show will also broadcast live on MSNBC and stream online on the network's website and YouTube.

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