American superstar Lizzo has made a stunning revelation about her personal struggles with public perception, confessing that she felt her musical talent was consistently overshadowed by discussions about her body size.
The Emotional Toll of Public Scrutiny
In her first Substack post titled 'Why is everybody losing weight and what do we do? Sincerely, a person who's lost weight', the 37-year-old artist expressed deep frustration about how her identity became synonymous with her physical appearance. 'I was sick and tired of my identity being overshadowed by my fatness,' Lizzo wrote candidly. 'People could not see my talent as a musician because they were too busy accusing me of making "being fat" my whole personality.'
The Grammy-winning performer described her treatment in the public eye as 'borderline emotional abuse' that stemmed primarily from her weight. Despite becoming the face of the body positivity movement, Lizzo revealed she developed coping mechanisms by trolling negative memes and remaining self-aware about being the target of internet fat jokes.
The Turning Point: Mental Health Crisis and Legal Battles
Lizzo's journey took a dramatic turn when her mental health deteriorated significantly during 2023. This period coincided with lawsuits filed by former team members, including three backup dancers who accused her of sexual harassment, fat shaming, and creating a hostile work environment. A former stylist also alleged working in a 'sexualized, racially charged, and illegal work environment' while employed by Lizzo's Big Grrrl Big Tour company. The singer has denied all these claims.
'I started losing weight in the fall of 2023,' Lizzo shared. 'I was severely depressed. I had been the subject of vicious scandal, and it felt like the whole world turned its back on me. I became deeply suicidal. I cut off all my loved ones.'
Her emotional state reached a critical point where she experienced what she described as self-loathing and self-neglect, prompting her to transform her 'extreme inaction to action.'
A New Perspective: Weight as Protective Shield
Lizzo's approach to weight loss involved working exclusively with Black women instructors and discovering Pilates, which she learned was co-founded by a Black woman. She used the exercise method as physical therapy, sometimes crying after sessions. Initially, the weight loss was unintentional, but by winter, she decided to intentionally pursue it.
Through therapy, Lizzo made a profound discovery: 'My weight had been a protective shield, a joyful comfort zone, and even sometimes a super hero suit to protect me through life.' She began viewing weight loss not as pounds 'lost' but as pounds 'released' - an energetic process rather than a vain one.
The singer connected her weight to emotional burdens she had carried for years, including her father's passing in 2009, abusive relationships since 2011, and supporting her family since 2016. 'I wanted to let-it-the-f**k go,' she expressed with raw honesty.
While Lizzo has previously credited her dramatic transformation to hard work and discipline, she has also acknowledged using Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs to assist in her journey, presenting a comprehensive picture of her path to physical and mental wellness.
