Lizzo Opens Up About Struggles and Transformation in Weight Loss Journey

Lizzo, the acclaimed singer and songwriter, has candidly shared her mental health struggles at the onset of her weight loss journey. In a post on her Substack on November 23, 2023, she revealed that she felt “extremely suicidal” while grappling with severe depression and the aftermath of a public scandal. The 37-year-old artist described a period in the fall of 2023 when she felt isolated, stating, “I cut off all my loved ones,” as she struggled to trust anyone after facing accusations from former backup dancers.

The scandal, which involved a lawsuit filed against her by three former colleagues, left Lizzo feeling abandoned. She expressed frustration over the situation, writing, “God knows why. I supposed to kick me while I’m down?” This led to a deep sense of anger and a feeling of helplessness, as she felt unable to defend herself publicly.

Finding Strength Through Pilates

In her quest for healing, Lizzo turned to pilates as a way to process her pain. She acknowledged that her initial weight loss was not intentional, stating, “I found that I had lost some weight in that process, but it wasn’t as significant as it is now.” It wasn’t until she made a conscious decision to lose weight that she began to see more substantial changes. With the support of therapists, she realized that her weight had served as both a protective shield and a means of comfort throughout her life.

“After talking to a few therapists, I discovered that my weight had been a protective shield, a joyful comfort zone,” she explained. Lizzo emphasized that this journey was about “releasing” rather than simply “losing” weight, transforming her mindset to view her weight loss as a positive release of burdens she had been carrying since the passing of her father in 2009 and her experiences with toxic relationships.

Redefining Body Positivity

Lizzo’s journey is not just about personal transformation; it is also a commentary on the broader body positivity movement. She highlighted that her weight loss was never about conforming to conventional standards of being “thin.” “I will always have the stretch, and the skin of a woman who carries great weight,” she noted, expressing pride in her body regardless of societal expectations.

Despite the scrutiny she faced as a public figure known for her body positivity, Lizzo has remained resolute in her self-acceptance. She addressed the perception that she was being “performative” or had “internalized fatphobia,” stating she was “sick and tired” of her identity being overshadowed by her weight.

Reflecting on her career, Lizzo acknowledged that she has made some questionable choices in how she presents her journey, including a brief promotion of a “smoothie detox.” Yet, she remains committed to authenticity and transparency in her journey, emphasizing that the discussions surrounding body positivity need to evolve beyond commercialism.

“We continue to hold each other accountable. We release ourselves from the illusion that there is only good and bad. We re-introduce nuance into our discussions,” she wrote, expressing a desire for the movement to grow and thrive authentically.

As Lizzo continues to navigate her journey, she is determined to reclaim her narrative and restore trust within the body positivity movement. She closed her post with a powerful reminder of the work still needed to address the effects of societal pressures, particularly in light of trends like the “ozempic boom,” which she believes have distorted the conversation around body image and wellness.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, resources are available. You can reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or chat online at 988lifeline.org.