Melissa Viviane Jefferson, AKA Lizzo, is best known for her chart-topping hits ‘About Damn Time’, ‘Good As Hell’ and ‘Juice’ – but besides her obvious talents as a singer, rapper and classically trained flutist (if you haven’t seen her on stage, look it up!), the 34-year-old is using her platform to change the standards of the music and entertainment industries, with inclusivity and empowerment for minorities at the forefront of her agenda.
When she’s not on stage or posting about link ups with bestie Harry Styles (we stan), she’s rallying against outdated restrictions upon women of all backgrounds, abilities and sizes in her field. And not just that, but her foot-stomping beats and meaningful lyrics are giving us the inspiration we need to get over break-ups, reach for our goals and feel our damn selves. Sorry, Harry, but Lizzo is everyone’s BFF!
As if you needed more convincing, here are five ways in which Lizzo is making waves.
Promoting non-discriminatory language
The singer recently came under fire for using a disabled slur in her latest single ‘GRRRLS’; however, before the song’s official release, Lizzo dealt with the matter in the most gracious manner, by changing the lyric completely.
Reappropriating the word ‘fat’
In an industry where a certain body types has been favoured above others for many decades – and not just that, but in particular, larger women have been stigmatised and objectified for their bodies – Lizzo does not tiptoe around the word ‘fat’, and encourages its reappropriation by using it without feeling the need for censorship.
Hiring all-female, all-black musicians
Lizzo regularly performs with a band, and when she does, it’s usually comprised of talented black women. One notable performance was her iconic 2019 Saturday Night Live production, which featured an all-black dance crew and band, inspiring women and minorities across the globe.
Empowering unknown female talent through Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls
Premiering earlier this year, Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls followed the singer’s journey to find confident, badass women to join her world tour, bringing unknown talent to the forefront.
Encouraging women all over the world to understand their worth through empowering lyrics
Some of our favourites:
- “I just took a DNA test, turns out I’m 100% that bitch” – Truth Hurts
- “If I’m shinin’, everybody gonna shine / I was born like this, don’t even gotta try” – Juice
- “If he don’t love you anymore / Just walk your fine ass out the door” – Good As Hell
- “Thick thighs save lives” – Tempo
