Has Lizzo abandoned her body positivity message or is she redefining it? The Grammy-winning performer recently released a video of herself completing a lat row/pull workout, prompting an online debate ranging from support to critique to complete confusion.
She’s trying out the exercise in the first video, and in the second, she’s getting the hang of it. She even turns to the camera to acknowledge her improvement.
The Detroit native captioned her video, “If you’re reading this… remember you can do ANYTHING you put ur mind to! Stay focused, you got this.”
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Since the 36-year-old professes to be comfortable in her own skin regardless of her size, some have criticized her for wanting to change, while others have praised her for taking action to improve her health.
Though Lizzo, born Melissa Viviane Jefferson, has never promoted unhealthy behaviors but rather self-acceptance and challenging harmful beauty standards, the “Truth Hurts” singer has received a lot of criticism in the past for encouraging bad eating habits and not exercising, both of which can lead to health issues.
She told The Guardian in 2018, “People don’t know how to love themselves, because they were trying to look like the motherfucker [corporations] were selling them.”
However, some internet users are curious as to whether the gym video is a reaction to the bullying that Lizzo has experienced. One such instance is an earlier episode of the popular satirical cartoon series South Park dubbed The End of Obesity, which has a plot in which listening to Lizzo’s music is recommended as a cheaper substitute for pricey new weight-loss medications like Ozempic.
Lizzo shared her reaction, saying, “Guys, my worst fear has been actualised: I’ve been referenced in a South Park episode.”
An advertisement promoting the procedure appears in the clip she watches, highlighting its advantages: “Lizzo makes you feel good about your weight… 70% of patients on Lizzo no longer cared … Lizzo helps you eat everything you want and keep physical activity to a minimum.”
Despite the harsh joke, she declared, “I’m really that bitch. I really showed the world how to love yourself and not give a f**k, to the point where these men [South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone] in Colorado know who the f**k I am, and put it on their cartoon that’s been around for 25 years … I show you how to not give a f**k and I’ll keep showing you how to not give a f**k.”
Meanwhile, she also explained to the New York Times earlier this year that “The idea of body positivity, it’s moved away from the antiquated mainstream conception. It’s evolved into body neutrality.”
“I’m not going to lie and say I love my body every day. The bottom line is, the way you feel about your body changes every single day.”
Maybe this clarifies why she is hitting the gym hard.
