Lizzo's '100% that b***h': Sartorial choices to self-love, here are 10 controversies she beat to prove her worth
Alt and Indie rapper Melissa Viviane Jefferson, more lovingly known by her stage name Lizzo, was born in Detroit, Michigan. After moving to Houston, Texas, the songwriter and actress began performing and after further moving to Minneapolis, she began a recording career. She released two studio albums titled 'Lizzobangers' (2013) and 'Big Grrrl Small World' (2015) before she signed with Nice Life and Atlantic Records.
The 31-year-old singer was named Time's one of 14 artists to watch out for in 2014, and the rest is history. Today, she is known for her songs 'Juice', 'Boys' and 'Good As Hell' and her records are praised for the inclusion of themes of self-care, love and confidence. Her third studio album titled, 'Cuz I love You' debuted in 2019 and was at number six on Billboard 200 with singles such as 'Truth Hurts', which became a number one hit.
The famous rapper was nominated for Best New Artist at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards besides receiving seven other nominations, which included Album of the Year for 'Cuz I Love You - deluxe version', Song of the Year and Record of the Year for 'Truth Hurts'. Not to mention, her actress title made a streak when she appeared in 'Hustlers' (2019). She was also a voice performer for 'Ugly Dolls' (2019). Last year, Lizzo was named 'Entertainer of the Year' by Time.
Being in Hollywood and earning fame at such a rapid speed always comes with its downsides, and Lizzo is no stranger to controversies. Here are 10 of the controversies Lizzo has made headlines for and we wouldn't say all of it was her fault.
Azealia Banks had some words for Lizzo
In September 2019, Azealia Banks took to Instagram to share a long message that shaded Lizzo saying that the rapper "looks like she is making a fool of her black self for a white American public". "Lmao, the fact that the public and the media has been keeping this fat girl joke going for so long is honestly peak boredom," she said and added, "The song is not good, nor is the dumpy fat girl spectacle live set she does. Saddest bit is that the girl is legit talented and truly only being allowed to shine so long as she allows herself to be this millennial mammy of sorts."
She mooned Instagram
Shocked emojis spread all over the rapper's Instagram page when in November 2019, she posted a picture of her bare butt. She then posted a picture of animated Homer Simpson with her butt pasted on the character's mouth and captioned it: "Kiss my ass, doh." While some fans shunned her, others praised her for body positivity. We are just going to be Switzerland in this case.
She accused Summerfest staff of manhandling her team
In June 2019, Lizzo headlined at Summerfest in Milwaukee and performed for 10,000 people at the Harley-Davidson Roadhouse stage. While that was all dandy, she took to Twitter to accuse a staff member of being physical with her team. In all caps, she wrote, "Did anybody get footage of the security guard that tackled and attacked my team (Summerfest). They slapped and manhandled my hairstylist and stylist and I'm out for blood."
Summerfest responded with a statement that read: "Lizzo gave an incredible performance which she now feels is tarnished by events which occurred during the performance. We do not tolerate racism in any form. We will conduct a thorough investigation. We have an experienced crowd management staff who strive to protect performers & fans. While there may be challenges during a performance, we expect those challenges to be handled professionally & respectfully. If those standards were not met, we will take appropriate action."
Not a fan of her album review
In April 2019, Lizzo's album 'Cuz I Love You' was released and while the public received it quite positively, Pitchfork's review wasn't glamourous enough for the rapper. After having received a 6.5 out of 10 despite being called a 'talent', Lizzo tweeted again in all caps, "PEOPLE WHO 'REVIEW' ALBUMS AND DONT MAKE MUSIC THEMSELVES SHOULD BE UNEMPLOYED."
You can see how that didn't fair well. The rapper later deleted the tweet.
Her accusation against a Postmates delivery executive
It seems as though celebs go through the same things we do and this proved to be true when in September 2019, the rapper accused a Postmates driver of stealing her food. Of course, Postmates doesn't play games and informed the rapper that the delivery executive had to leave when the rapper failed to pick up the food delivery after she was waited on for five minutes.
When all eyes are on you, public disrespect calls for a public apology and so Lizzo tweeted, "I apologize for putting that girl on blast. I understand I have a large following and that there were so many variables that could’ve put her in danger. Imma really be more responsible with my use of social media and check my petty and my pride at the door."
She can play the flute, alright haters?
Lizzo is known to be trained in playing the flute and shows off her skills at concerts. Of course, with fame comes pressure and with pressure comes hate. In November 2018, she clapped back at skeptics by posting a video on Twitter. What did she play you ask? Why, the "F" note of course.
The tweet read, "PSA for the weirdos that think I have the TIME to fabricate a flute back-story, RENT a flute to tour with and PRETEND to play. Bitch, I’m a full time artist. I been on this flute shit, read my old interviews ho! Enjoy this F natural."
She was accused of plagiarising 'Truth Hurts'
In October 2019, Lizzo was accused of plagiarism by Justin and Jeremiah Raisen. They said that when in a songwriting session in April 2017 with Jesse Saint John, Yves Rothman and Lizzo for a song titled 'Healthy', the lyric, "I just took a DNA test, turns out I'm 100% that b*****," was conjured up. Brothers Justin and Jeremiah claimed that the lyric that was also featured in Lizzo's 'Truth Hurts' was not credited to them.
Lizzo denied the claims, with a post on Twitter saying, "That song is my life, and its words are my truth." The rapper later recalled that the "DNA test" line was inspired by a meme “that resonated with me, a meme that made me feel like 100% that b***h. I sang that line in the demo, and I later used the line in 'Truth Hurts'." Mina Lioness, who has credit for the meme, is also now credited as a co-writer on the 'Truth Hurts' track.
Her outfit choice at the Los Angeles Lakers game
On December 8, 2019, Lizzo was noticed for her outfit that she wore to the Los Angeles Lakers game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Staples Center. The shirt of choice revealed her butt almost completely and she took to a public event on Instagram and on 'CBS This Morning' to defend herself and her right to wear whatever she wants. "I got up and I just did what I always do. Anyone who knows me knows that this is how I've always been. This is how I like to dress,” she told the co-hosts. “I had all the layers down there. So it wasn't just flesh to seat, contrary to popular belief... but um, yeah, it (her butt) was out," said the rapper.
She also took a stance on body positivity when she said, "You know how long it took me to fall in love with this body? My butt was my least favorite thing about myself and I learned to love it. And now it's the thing everybody can't stop talking about,” she said. “Be you. Do you. Don't ever let anybody steal your joy, especially not the internet.”
She was accused of cultural appropriation
In 2020, Lizzo appeared on the pages of Rolling Stone besides being featured on the cover and while she was mostly supported, others called her out for cultural appropriation. In many of the pictures, the rapper is seen wearing a traditional headdress.
Jillian Michaels' criticism
Celebrity trainer Jillian Michaels made headlines when she appeared on 'AM to DM' when her response to Lizzo's body positivity movement was less than insensitive.
"Why are we celebrating her body? Why does it matter? Why aren't we celebrating her music? 'Cause it isn't gonna be awesome if she gets diabetes. I love her music. But there’s never a moment where I’m like, 'And I’m so glad that she’s overweight'," Michaels said. While we expected Lizzo to clap back, she didn't directly address the controversy. Instead, she opted for a backhanded retortion.
"I'm really cool, I love myself. I love the fact that kids love me, because I'm making music to make us better, to make us smile, to make you love yourself and I think that children need that more than anything so that they can teach the next generation how to love themselves. Love your body," said the rapper.