Eye Roll Emoji: Lizzo's Not Quitting Music; She's Quitting 'Negative Energy'

By Emily Richardson | Celebrity | April 3, 2024 |

By Emily Richardson | Celebrity | April 3, 2024 |

Last Friday, Lizzo posted an Instagram statement about how she was sick of getting dragged by “everyone in my life and on the internet,” having her character publicly picked apart, and being the butt of jokes about her body. The 35-year-old ended her post with, “I didn’t sign up for this shit - I QUIT.” Clearly, Lizzo wanted us to think she was done making music. And it worked. Over the weekend, there were a bunch of headlines like, “Is Lizzo Quitting the Music Industry?”

Yesterday, the lawyer repping Lizzo’s former dancers in that sexual harassment lawsuit responded by saying that “no one actually believes she is quitting music.” He said Lizzo just wanted to play the victim and get attention.

Hours after that statement was released, Lizzo jumped back on Instagram to “clarify” things in a Reel. She says, “When I say I quit, I mean… I quit giving any negative energy attention.” She continues:

“What I’m not gonna quit is the joy of my life, which is making music, which is connecting to people, because I know I’m not alone. In no way, shape, or form am I the only person experiencing that negative voice that seems to be louder than the positive.

If I can just give one person the inspiration or motivation to stand up for themselves and say they quit letting negative people win, negative comments win, then I’ve done even more than I could’ve hoped for. With that being said, I’m gonna keep moving forward, I’m gonna keep being me.”

Uggghghghghhhhh. Eye. Roll. City. I knew Lizzo wasn’t actually going to quit music, but this is a whole other level of intentionally misleading, attention-seeking bullshit. And the fact that she’s trying to sell it as a stand against bullying as a whole! Oy. Here’s the post:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lizzo (@lizzobeeating)

I used to really like Lizzo. Her music, what she stood for, her whole vibe. But since those allegations against her came out last summer, she’s totally lost me.

Quick recap: several former dancers sued Lizzo for sexual harassment, creating a hostile work environment, religious and racial harassment, fat-shaming, not paying them, and more. Soon, more ex-employees came forward on social media to support the dancers’ claims. A filmmaker who spent time directing a documentary for Lizzo called the star “arrogant, self-centered, and unkind.” In September, Lizzo was sued by another former employee who worked in the wardrobe department for her 2023 tour. This employee claimed the wardrobe manager was physically and verbally abusive, and Lizzo’s production company was aware and did nothing. Both suits are ongoing.

Listen. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. I don’t know if Lizzo will be found guilty in a court of law, but if enough people who worked with her claim she’s an arrogant bully, I’m inclined to believe them. It’s especially disappointing because, before this, Lizzo was all about self-love, body positivity/autonomy, and standing up to the bullies. The accusations against her directly contradicted her entire brand.

So, now, when Lizzo talks about “quitting negative energy,” my reaction is less “Good for her!” and more “UGH, the self-centered drama.” Like the victim-blaming non-apology she posted after the lawsuit first went public, Lizzo’s quitting statement takes zero accountability for why she’s receiving some of that negative attention in the first place (not the racism and fat-shaming, that’s horrid; I’m talking about the justified reaction to the allegations).

An hour after Lizzo posted yesterday’s video, she posted another reel showing off fashions from her size-inclusive shapewear line, Yitty (she was also wearing a Yitty swimsuit in the clarification reel). Again, a year ago, I woulda been like, “Amazing! Fashion for fat women, I love it!” Now, jaded-me is all, “The ‘I QUIT!’ post was just to drum up interest in her business so she can make more money.” Eye rolls, eye rolls, eye rolls.