Lizzo, the American pop sensation, has announced that she is “quitting”, expressing her frustration over the constant online criticism about her appearance and character.
In an Instagram post, she expressed her feelings of alienation, writing, “I’m starting to feel like the world doesn’t want me in it.” She did not specify whether she was considering leaving the music industry or social media.
“I’m getting tired of enduring the constant criticism from everyone in my life and on the internet,” Lizzo shared.
Her announcement came a day after a lawyer representing her former dancers criticized the decision to have her headline a fundraising event, given the accusations made against her last year. These allegations, which Lizzo has denied, included sexual harassment and fostering a hostile work environment.
“All I want is to make music, make people happy, and help the world be a little better than how I found it. But I’m starting to feel like the world doesn’t want me in it,” Lizzo expressed in her post.
The 35-year-old singer, known for her hit “Good as Hell”, mentioned that she was “constantly up against lies” being spread about her for “clout & views”. She felt she was always the “butt of the joke” due to her appearance and that her character was being “picked apart” by people who don’t know her.
“I didn’t sign up for this,” she concluded. “I quit.”
Fellow celebrities were quick to show their support for Lizzo. Paris Hilton, the reality TV star and entrepreneur, commented on her post, writing, “We love you queen.” Destiny’s Child singer LeToya Luckett added, “You are deeply loved.”
Lizzo, known for her body positivity and self-love, has previously spoken out about hurtful online comments about her appearance. Last year, she revealed that she had received a new wave of body-shaming comments on Twitter, including speculation about her diet and fast food consumption.
Last August, three of her former dancers, Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez, sued Lizzo over claims including sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment. The lawsuit includes accusations of sexual, religious, and racial harassment, discrimination, assault, and false imprisonment. Lizzo, whose real name is Melissa Viviane Jefferson, has denied these allegations, calling them “false” and “unbelievable”.
Lizzo was last seen performing at Radio City Music Hall in New York for a fundraiser for US President Joe Biden. Ron Zambrano, the lawyer representing the three former dancers, reportedly told NewsNation, “It’s shameful that Lizzo would be chosen to headline an event like this amid such egregious allegations.”
