Lizzo Shares Empowering Response to Racism and Body-Shaming
Rapper Lizzo recently addressed criticism and hateful messages in response to her new song, “Rumors.”
The music video for Lizzo’s “Rumors” is elegant, glamorous, and has already garnered over 10 million views since its release on August 13. However, the singer-songwriter revealed that she is facing backlash because of her self-loving hit.
Per ET Canada, Lizzo shared on an emotional Instagram Live, “On the days I feel I should be the happiest, I just…. I feel so down. Like, I hurt so hard. I worked so hard. I’ve been working triple time, like quadruple time. It’s like doing twelve hours a day of promos and interviews, doing studio, going to the studio with a f****** root canal, gotten a root canal twice and gone to the studio and recorded music, wrote songs.” The star added, “I put so much loving energy into the world, and bro, sometimes I feel like the world don’t love me back.”
Lizzo addressed hateful comments about her weight and race. “People saying s*** about me that just doesn’t even make sense. It’s fat-phobic, and it’s racist, and it’s hurtful. If you don’t like my music, cool. If you don’t like ‘Rumors’ the song, cool. But a lot of people don’t like me because of the way I look.”
The “Good As Hell” singer clapped back at body-shamers who “…just always have something negative to say about me, that has nothing to do with music, or the content of my character, or me as an artist, and just has everything to do with my body or whatever trope you think I fall into.” She declared, “I don’t have time for your negativity, your internalized self-hatred that you protect onto me with your racism and your fatphobia. I don’t have time for it. Anyways, I’m going to continue to be me. I’m going to continue to be a bad bitch.”
Lizzo also addressed the racism that black women face every day. “What I won’t accept is y’all doing this to Black women over and over and over again — especially us big Black girls. When we don’t fit into the box you want to put us in, you just unleash hatred on us.” She added that she pursues her goals for “…the big Black women of the future who just want to live their lives without being scrutinized or put into boxes. I’m not going to do what y’all want me to do ever, so get used to it.” She also shared a tweet promoting self-love.
Loving yourself in a world that don’t love u back takes an incredible amount of self awareness & a bullshit detector that can see through ass backwards societal standards…
— ALL THE RUMORS ARE TRUE (@lizzo) August 15, 2021
if u managed to love yourself today I’m proud of u.
If u haven’t, I’m still proud of u. This shits hard
Many celebs had Lizzo’s back. Rapper Cardi B, who was featured in “Rumors,” tweeted about society’s problem of criticizing each other no matter what.
When you stand up for yourself they claim your problematic & sensitive.When you don’t they tear you apart until you crying like this. Whether you skinny,big,plastic, they going to always try to put their insecurities on you.Remember these are nerds looking at the popular table. https://t.co/jE5eJw8XP6
— iamcardib (@iamcardib) August 15, 2021
Singer Chloe Bailey thanked Lizzo for inspiring her.
i’m so proud of you @lizzo people are gonna talk, but you have power in your voice. thank you for inspiring me ❤️🦋
— Chlöe (@ChloeBailey) August 15, 2021
Missy Elliot sent Lizzo a note that read, “Once every few decades, someone breaks the mold. And you are one of those people. Continue to shine and be blessed through your next journey. Love, Missy.”
Actress Jameela Jamil was angered by the bullying Lizzo faced and came to her defense.
This app has spawned, encouraged and celebrated the most depraved, dehumanized and depressing side of human beings. It’s not FUNNY that you’re hurting some innocent cheerful musician’s mental health. It’s not going to take back the pain of whatever your school bullies did to you.
— Jameela Jamil 🌈 (@jameelajamil) August 15, 2021
When I don’t like a song, I just… DON’T LISTEN TO IT AGAIN. When I don’t like a person I MUTE THEIR NAME. It’s that simple. Stop announcing to the world that you don’t have a life or any humanity by making these attacks so personal because everything isn’t designed for YOU. https://t.co/dB2OdiLsbG
— Jameela Jamil 🌈 (@jameelajamil) August 15, 2021
Singer and TikTok star Bella Poarch tweeted, “Sad to see society and the internet come together to try and take down people, especially such positive leaders and role models.”
Sad to see society and the internet come together to try and take down people, especially such positive leaders and role models. This is the part that jades me about the world. We’ll never appreciate greatness until it’s gone. 💖 @lizzo https://t.co/tkKRPhtIE9
— Bella Poarch (@bellapoarch) August 15, 2021
As always, Lizzo’s fans on Twitter also had her back.
We luv uuu @lizzo
— HOOD VOGUE is tired of poverty (@itskeyon) August 15, 2021
Lizzo is a representation of the confidence alot of bitches want. Most women I see that hate on her fall under traditional beauty standards and still hate themselves, so they find it inconceivable that someone that doesnt fall under these standards could possibly love themselves https://t.co/HF0BLyxuhX
— T (@MssTian) August 16, 2021
lizzo is one of the greatest performers i’ve ever seen. bitch get on the stage and twerk, flute, sing, and snatch my wig. that’s A LOT. i love her.
— ✨ Hoochie GOD ✨ (@_benjvmins_) August 16, 2021
lizzo gets upset because of the constant harassment and bullying she endures on this app and now y’all are claiming she’s chart-hungry and manipulative??? imagine if it was a skinny white woman
— lydia (@lydiascomet) August 16, 2021
Be sure to support Lizzo on Instagram and Twitter.
