Grammy-winning artist Lizzo has set off another heated discussion, this time surrounding her recent fitness journey. In a newly released video, the “Truth Hurts” singer is seen completing a lat row/pull workout, showcasing her progress as she improves her technique. While some fans are cheering her on for promoting health and self-improvement, others are questioning whether the star is moving away from her long-standing message of body positivity.
In the video, Lizzo is seen first trying out the exercise and then mastering it, with a proud glance towards the camera to acknowledge her progress. Captioning the clip with a motivational message, she wrote, “If you’re reading this… remember you can do ANYTHING you put ur mind to! Stay focused, you got this.”
For years, Lizzo, born Melissa Viviane Jefferson, has championed self-love, encouraging her fans to embrace their bodies regardless of size. Her message of body positivity has been central to her identity as an artist, challenging traditional beauty standards and pushing back against harmful societal norms. Despite this, her weight loss video has sparked criticism from some who believe she’s betraying the very principles she’s been promoting.
However, others have been quick to defend Lizzo, arguing that her fitness journey isn’t about conforming to societal pressures but rather prioritizing her health. These supporters note that body positivity doesn’t necessarily mean rejecting self-improvement; instead, it’s about loving yourself enough to make choices that benefit your well-being.
Lizzo has faced intense scrutiny in the past for her stance on body image. Critics have accused her of promoting unhealthy behaviors, while she has consistently argued that her message is about self-acceptance and rejecting the corporate-driven ideals that push unrealistic body standards. “People don’t know how to love themselves because they were trying to look like the motherfucker [corporations] were selling them,” she told The Guardian in 2018.
The timing of the gym video has also led to speculation about whether it’s a response to recent body-shaming incidents. Just weeks ago, Lizzo found herself at the center of a joke on South Park, where her music was depicted as a humorous alternative to expensive weight-loss drugs like Ozempic. The satirical episode, titled “The End of Obesity,” portrayed Lizzo’s music as helping people “feel good about their weight” while keeping physical activity minimal.
Addressing the South Park parody, Lizzo took it in stride. “Guys, my worst fear has been actualized: I’ve been referenced in a South Park episode,” she shared. Despite the harsh tone of the joke, Lizzo proudly declared, “I really showed the world how to love yourself and not give a f**k, to the point where these men in Colorado know who the f**k I am and put it on their cartoon.”
This latest chapter in Lizzo’s journey has raised important questions about the evolving nature of body positivity. In a recent interview with The New York Times, she offered a nuanced take on the concept: “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.”
Perhaps this shift in perspective is what’s driving Lizzo to hit the gym harder than ever. For her, it seems, body positivity is less about adhering to a fixed message and more about embracing the fluidity of self-love, health, and confidence on her own terms.
