Lizzo Apologizes and Changes Lyrics of New Single ‘Grrrls’
Lizzo changed the lyrics to her new song “Grrrls” on Monday after it received criticism for containing an ableist slur.
The song, first released on June 10, initially included an ableist term for spastic diplegia, a form of cerebral palsy. Fans and disability advocates took to social media to call out the “About D*mn Time” singer.
One fan, Hannah Diviney, tweeted, “Hey @lizzo my disability Cerebral Palsy is literally classified as Spastic Diplegia (where spasticity refers to unending painful tightness in my legs) your new song makes me pretty angry + sad. ‘Sp*z’ doesn’t mean freaked out or crazy. It’s an ableist slur. It’s 2022. Do better.”
Hey @lizzo my disability Cerebral Palsy is literally classified as Spastic Diplegia (where spasticity refers to unending painful tightness in my legs) your new song makes me pretty angry + sad. ‘Spaz’ doesn’t mean freaked out or crazy. It’s an ableist slur. It’s 2022. Do better.
— Hannah Diviney (@hannah_diviney) June 12, 2022
Lizzo heard the criticism and posted on Instagram Monday night apologizing for her mistake. In her Instagram post, Lizzo wrote, “Let me make one thing clear: I never want to promote derogatory language.”
She then released a rerecorded version of the song, changing the lyric to “hold me back.”
“As a fat black woman in America, I’ve had many hurtful words used against me so I understand the power words can have (whether intentionally or in my case, unintentionally),” Lizzo stated on social media. “As an influential artist I’m dedicated to being part of the change I’ve been waiting to see in the world.”
Fans applauded Lizzo’s action to acknowledge and fix her mistakes. Diviney later tweeted her appreciation for the singer, calling her a “real true ally.”
I’m going to cry 😭 Thank you so much for hearing us Lizzo and for understanding that this was only ever meant gently and being open to learning, it honestly means the world ❤️. You’re a real true ally https://t.co/RbQCbAwpR6
— Hannah Diviney (@hannah_diviney) June 13, 2022
“Grrrls” is the second song from her upcoming album Special, which will be released July 15. The updated version of the single is available to stream on all platforms, and you can listen to the song below.
