The Guardian
·Jul 2026
Lizzo answers her critics: ‘I’m a fat, black, happy girl – they were always going to try to tear me down’
Lizzo reflects on her career, the fallout from allegations by three former dancers, and how public scrutiny has overshadowed her music. She denies the accusations, insists they were driven by personal grievances and her fame, and discusses the emotional toll, including depression and betrayal by friends. Her new album, Bitch, responds to the cruelty she sees in contemporary culture and to personal losses, though she rejects claims that the work is centered on the scandal. She addresses criticism of her weight loss, condemns societal pressure on women’s bodies, and notes that supporters, including Beyoncé and SZA, have stood by her. Despite ongoing legal proceedings, she says she has moved on and maintains that Melissa, her private self, must now be protected by her public persona, Lizzo.