After experiencing a spate of bodyshaming comments on her own social media account, Lizzo suggested bodyshamers should be made to pay for their comments.
While we all want to believe that if we step into 2023 with a sense of confidence, self-love, and positivity, that if we step into 2023 with a sense of confidence, self-love, and positivity, we’ll arrive new and bright on the blank slate of a new calendar year, leaving our baggage from the past behind us Whether these are goals we want to keep to ourselves, they are not universal. For some, the new year is just another day of waking up and sifting through every social media account to realize that negativity isn’t a trend that’s going to die with low-rise jeans and choker chains.
For Lizzo, however, the singer has always been someone who speaks her truth and lives with authenticity, and her social media feed serves as a powerful reminder to her audience to embrace the body they’re in and never shy away from the opinions of others to be influenced by themselves. Looking at Lizzo is seeing someone whose zest for life is contagious, while her own confidence seems to radiate an energy of its own. What is remarkable, however, is that many of us can’t help but visit Lizzo’s page for daily inspiration from her, while others can’t help but tear her down.
This has prompted the singer to delve into the way people interact on social media, especially when it comes to talking about other people’s bodies online. “The body discourse is officially tired,” Lizzo said in a video posted to TikTok and Instagram Reels. “The discourse is tired.”
Lizzo added, “I’ve seen comments like, ‘Oh my god, I liked you when you were fat. Why did you lose weight?’ To ‘Oh my god, why did you get a BBL? I used to like your body.’ To “Oh my god, you’re so tall! You have to lose weight – but for your health!’ From “oh my god you’re so small you need to get an ass or tits or something” to “oh my god why did she do all that work? It’s just too much work.’ are we ok Do you see the deception?”
At a time when our social media feeds are awash with perfectly curated images that showcase flawless and filtered appearances, Lizzo’s memory couldn’t be more timely. But it’s also one that resonates with those in the public who are often the target of constant criticism. As Lizzo was quick to point out, artists are not committed to representing any individual’s ideals of beauty, especially when those ideals have often been shaped by social constructs. “Artists are here to make art,” Lizzo said. “And this body is art.”
Lizzo added that body-shaming should be something of the past, and maybe if there’s one resolution we’re keeping this year, it’s to not just be kinder to ourselves and self-love with our own bodies to practice, but also be kind to others and understand that pictures posted online of someone showing their body are not an invitation to criticize them. “I’ll do what I want with this body,” Lizzo said.
“I wish comments would cost you all money. That way we can see how much time we’re wasting on the wrong thing.”
Lizzo
As the founder of an inclusive shapewear line, Lizzo has certainly become a role model in the body positivity movement. Ultimately, though, it’s a lesson that goes beyond body size and shape, instead speaking of human connection and the importance of practicing kindness, including online. “If we had to pay money for every comment we post on social media,” Lizzo said, “maybe people would think before they type.”
