Lizzo is a massive star.
The “Truth Hurts” hitmaker managed to top the charts and score big at this year’s Grammys against all odds. In an industry that favors certain looks, Lizzo was able to win on her own terms and at peace with herself.
When the world was first introduced to Lizzo, pop star was already putting on for Houston. After years of cultivating her brand as an underground artist, she exploded into the mainstream. The Lizzo behind “Good As Hell” and “Juice” had long since made peace with herself and was flaunting her stuff on album cover for Cuz I Love You. Despite her confidence, Lizzo was constantly met with backlash.
Lizzo continued to defy her critics, pushing boundaries and the envelope. She addressed her critics in songs like “Fitness” and “Tempo” ft. Missy Elliott, where she discussed her confidence. During her documentary Love Lizzo, the performer opened up about her complicated relationship with the way she looks.
Lizzo said in high school, she often got teased. She found confidence in rapping and worked hard at it. Eventually, Lizzo left Houston for Minneapolis to pursue her music career.
While there, she experimented with a handful of different sounds and songs. One particular song was credited with changing her entire trajectory. Not sure if she was a rapper or a singer at this point, Lizzo penned the autobiographical “My Skin.”
In the song, she says, “Learning to love yourself is like that whole journey that I feel like every person, but more specifically women, have to go through.” In her documentary, Lizzo admits that not only did the song teach her that she was a songwriter and storyteller but that she needed to make music that preached self-love.
In the years since, Lizzo has worked hard to showcase other talents. Her series Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls won her an Emmy. Her Yitty clothing line is also helping make athleisure fashion more accessible. In 2020 she told Jamila Jameel that she had to learn to stop trying to be thin and just be happy.
“I’m not going to be able to please everyone with my outward appearance,” she said. “Someone’s always going to have a critique.”
