This pop powerhouse is best known for her unapologetic confidence, body-positive anthems, and infectious energy; still, behind the curtain, the “About Damn Time” singer recently fell into one of the darkest times of her life.
Speaking candidly on the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast, Lizzo discussed her emotional downward spiral in the wake of serious allegations made against her by three ex-dancers. The 2023 lawsuit alleged that she harassed and discriminated against her staff, claims that rocked the entertainment industry and left fans reeling. However, for Lizzo, the public scandal unearthed something much more profound than tabloid headlines.
“When I was in Japan, I was doing the best I could,” she said, explaining how she managed to stay afloat while on holiday overseas. But there was a big scandal, and I was going through a lot.
The emotional weight struck her when she flew back to Los Angeles in October 2023 .
“When I landed in Los Angeles, it didn’t click how affected I was,” she said. “I’d been pretending to be happy for other people (on holiday)…
That moment initiated a painful struggle with depression and anxiety that, Lizzo has said, led her to experience a panic attack and even led her to question her will to live.
Famed for spreading love, self-worth, and joy through her music, Lizzo’s vulnerability harshly contrasts her persona. It reminds us that the brightest stars can struggle in silence when the spotlight burns too brightly.
The timing was particularly cruel. Just months before, Lizzo had been soaring in her career, celebrated for her boundary-pushing performances and genre-defying sound. But the lawsuit and the resulting online firestorm loomed large. While she hasn’t commented publicly on the details of the lawsuit, her recent remarks say a lot about how it has affected her emotionally.
It’s hard to envision a personality as exuberant as Lizzo grappling with such despair, but it also reminds us of the very message she has long preached: We’re all human, and none of us are impervious to pain.
Her words compound a broader conversation about mental health in the music industry, in which the demands of stardom can curdle fans into fatal toxicity. For Lizzo, the hurt has been very real, but so is her strength in speaking up. Fans and fellow artists have come together with love and support, thanking her for her honesty and bravery.
While there may be more road bumps to come, one thing has become apparent: Lizzo’s voice as an artist and a person is as vital as ever. Here’s to hoping she continues to heal and refinds the joy that made the world love her.
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