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Shortly after dropping her new song 'Rumors' along with the accompanying music video, Lizzo faced "fatphobic, racist and hurtful" comments online. She took to Instagram Live to address the hateful abuse she received while holding back tears. She candidly told her followers the situation made her “hurt so hard.”
Following her powerful Instagram Live, Lizzo went on Good Morning America to discuss how sometimes, despite her best effort, the vitriol can get to her. “I don’t mind critiques about me [or] my music. I don’t even mind the fat comments, you know," Lizzo explained. "I just feel like it’s unfair sometimes, the treatment that people like me receive.”
Known for her positivity and confidence, Lizzo says she always tries to keep her head up during these hurtful situations. “People are like, don’t let ‘em see you with your head down,” she said. “My head is always up. Even when I’m upset and even when I’m crying, my head is up. But I know it’s my job as an artist to reflect at times, and this should not fly. This shouldn’t be okay.”
"Black women have been in this industry, innovating it, forever," she continued. "It's unfortunate that we are the ones who suffer the most from the marginalization and erasure the most. I feel like if it weren't for the internet and if it weren't for social media, I could've been erased. But I chose to be undeniable and I chose to be loud and I chose to be great and I'm still here."
During hard times, the 'Truth Hurts' singer reminds herself that “God doesn’t give me anything I cannot handle." Not only that, but she believes "God also gave me the gift to be fearless in my vulnerability, to help inspire people," which is why she decided to speak out against the people leaving those hateful comments.
“Just remember that self-love is a journey. It doesn’t happen miraculously one day,” Lizzo added. “It did not happen for me. There are gonna be beautiful days where you’re lookin’ in the mirror-like, ooh, and then there are days where you’re like, unh-uh. But all of those days is an opportunity to love yourself.”