Lizzo addresses recent body changes and cruel online remarks: ‘Most hurtful comment wins’

Lizzo is calling weight changes a normal part of her life in response to her recently fluctuating weight.

In a recent interview, the Grammy winning singer, 38, shared that she started focusing on her health in 2023 for several reasons.

“People always want to make it one single headline, one single thing. A lot of things can be true at once,” she told The Guardian.

Lizzo said her weight was causing joint pain and body aches. At the same time, she stepped away from social media and spent more time in the recording studio.

“I was in a place where my physical weight was causing joint pain and aches. I also got to the point where I came off the internet, and all I had was the studio and my thoughts,” Lizzo, born Melissa Jefferson, told the outlet.

“So I poured myself into the things I could control. My body, my lifestyle. My routines and habits. So, yeah, both of those things are true. And this is who I am today.”

The singer then revealed that she has gained 20 pounds since last year. She added that people often ask her about losing weight, but they can also ask about weight gain because both are part of her journey.

“I’ve gained 20 pounds since last year, so everyone can ask me about weight gain, too, if they’d like.”

Lizzo said she reached her weight goal in January 2025 but expected her weight to change over time.

“Will my body fluctuate from this size? Will I get a little smaller depending on some of the choices I make or a little bigger, depending on some of the choices I make in my life? Yes, I’m used to fluctuating.”

Lizzo also spoke about the pressure women face over their appearance, especially those in the public eye.

“There’s a system of oppression that is constantly putting pressure on, especially women and especially women in the spotlight. And that system is unrelenting, and it is determined to make you feel s*** about yourself. And it won’t stop until you’ve bought every product and you’ve bought into every lie and turned it in on yourself.”

She said society often makes women feel bad about themselves and pushes them to chase unrealistic beauty standards.

On a concluding note, Lizzo also criticised the growing culture of unkind comments online.

“We live in a culture where everybody is racing to get the top comment, and the most hurtful comment wins. We’re in a business of hurting each other,” Lizzo told the outlet.