Lizzo speaks out about body positivity, shaming and racism in the music industry

Popstar and rapper Lizzo has bravely opened up in a new interview and on Instagram Live about the body shaming and racism directed at her on a daily basis.

Speaking with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, the “Good As Hell” singer talked about the disparity of treatment between thin and plus-sized women in the music industry, and that, unlike her thin counterparts, she can’t hide her insecurities.

“I feel like fat is the worst thing people can say about me at this point,” she told Lowe during the interview that was published on Friday, August 13^th. “This is the biggest insecurity. It’s like, ‘How dare a popstar be fat?’ I had to own that.”

“I feel like other people who were put on that pedestal, or who become pop stars, probably have other insecurities or have other flaws, but they can hide it behind a veneer of being sexy and being marketable.”

She added, “I don’t have the luxury of hiding behind something.”

Lizzo made sure to point out the links between her treatment and systemic racism, specifically against Black women, to show that even when she does receive proper treatment, so many women like her do not.

“There’s still so many people who suffer from being marginalized systemically. Meanwhile, there’s a plus-size Black girl at the Grammys. But plus-size Black women are still not getting the treatment they deserve in hospitals and from doctors and at work,” she continued. “We got a long way to go.”

A few days later on Sunday the 15th, the “Rumors” singer expounded on her feelings during an Instagram Live broadcast, where she broke down in tears over the racist bullying and body shaming trolls who try to tear her down even though she is working so hard to put creative content out into the world.

“On days when I should be the happiest, I just feel so down,” she said, wiping away tears. “People saying s**t 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. "

“For the most part it doesn’t hurt my feelings,” she said, dabbing her wet cheeks with a tissue in what appears to be her bathroom. “I don’t care. I just think when I’m working this hard, my tolerance gets lower.”

“I'm putting so much loving energy into the world... sometimes I feel the world don't love me back,” she added.

She also responded to some targeted harassment that accused her of making music to pander to a whites-only audience. “I make music that I like, that's important to me. And I make music I hope helps people, period. I'm not making music for white people. I'm not making music for anybody. I'm a Black woman making music. I make Black music, period.”

So many collaborators and fans then hit the social media airwaves to flood Lizzo with nothing but love and support and to let her know that her feelings are being heard and acknowledged.

Rapper Cardi B, who collab’d with Lizzo on their latest song “Rumors,” took to Twitter to defend her friend and fellow musician.

“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.”

Chloe Bailey of R&B duo Chloe x Halle tweeted, “I’m so proud of you @lizzo people are gonna talk, but you have power in your voice. thank you for inspiring me.”

Then Lizzo’s fans made sure to flood her timeline with adoration.

This comes on the heels of Lizzo and Cardi B’s “Rumors” dropping on Friday, where Lizzo specifically calls out the trolls and haters who try to come for her. “Spending all your time trying to break a woman down / Realer s**t is going on, baby, take a look around.”

She also rapped a lyric where she claims she hasn’t gotten romantic with Toronto’s own Drake, but on Friday she did try to shoot her shot with him, tweeting, “Hey big head @Drake.”

This is the collab we need in our lives. Drake, answer the call!

BEFORE YOU GO: Lizzo and Cardi B team up for ‘Rumors’ music video

[video_embed id='2259744']BEFORE YOU GO: Lizzo and Cardi B team up for ‘Rumors’ music video[/video_embed]