Let’s Talk About Lizzo

Let’s talk about Lizzo.

Her third album Cuz I Love You is a smash hit, and its creation stemmed from emotional vulnerability. In a Rolling Stone interview, Lizzo shared that she “needed to learn how to love herself unconditionally, even when she wasn’t at her best” in order to create her honest collection of work. Superficially characterized as “self-esteem-boosting anthems,” her lyrics convey a deeper understanding of self-image: high self-esteem must be rooted within yourself first. 

Lizzo’s openness about mental health and reasons for seeking out therapy is hugely important—not only because it normalizes discussions which have been notoriously stigmatized, but also because it helps dissect the importance of what Cuz I Love You can offer to a public audience. During a radio interview, Lizzo divulged that fame took a toll on her personal life. How could she give to so many people, thousands of people she doesn’t know personally, when she couldn’t treat herself and the people closest to her right? Knowing her self-worth and owning her value as a person is such an important message to share with a large audience. This is best said in her own words: “I’m going to invest in this [counseling] because this is my livelihood.”

Lizzo’s intelligence spans beyond her own acute self-awareness. She uses her platform to talk about social and political issues. In attempt to destigmatize mental health and counseling, she discusses “the privilege to be able to go see a therapist [and] the privilege to be able to afford healthcare,” citing it as “another reason why in our [black] community you don’t see us seeking out counseling.” These systemic socioeconomic discrepancies which don’t allow people of color equal access to healthcare systems is unfair, unjust, and should be changed. I admire Lizzo for making her platform as political as she does, using the spotlight as a tool to talk about important issues.

 In tandem with her discussions of self-acceptance, mental wellness and love, she talks about body positivity. During the Breakfast Club Interview, the man interviewing her comments, “You are one of those women who would look stupid skinny.” Lizzo responds, “What? I look good in any size. That’s the thing about me, I look good any way. Period…. I look really good right now. This is the finest I have ever been.” Her distinction between feeling good and the media’s conception of looking good are vastly different. The clarity with which she notices this divergence and promotes the difference between the two is hugely impactful. Think of all the young girls who listen to her music, see her image, and understand that self-love is attainable for any person of any size. There is no such thing as an ideal body type. Beauty and clothing companies construct the notion that being a size zero is desirable and something to attain in order to sell their products.

Lizzo is vocal about more than just mental health and body positivity; she has used her platform to advocate for the LGBTQ community and the Black Lives Matter movement. A video posted to her Instagram (@lizzobeeating) on June 10th shows a speech given at Sacramento Pride during her set. She says, “Since I’ve been given this platform today I want to take a second to say that black lives matter, trans lives matter, and if we are going to celebrate pride we need to keep that energy three-sixty-five.” She recognizes the power of the position she is in and the way in which she can influence her following. She has the ability to inform opinions and give voice to causes she is passionate about. The sincerity of celebrities like Lizzo, Yara Shahidi, Emma Watson, or Beyoncé make me believe that fame can do much more than generate money. Fame can be utilized as a tool for change.  

I am especially drawn to this album because it embodies Coven and all that we stand for. Body positivity? There’s a song for it. Learning to grow after heartbreak? There’s a song for it. Being comfortable with who you are emotionally and physically? There’s a song for it. Learning to embrace the ups and downs of life? There’s a song for it. Lizzo has managed to capture every possible emotion in her fourteen-track discography. 

 “Water Me,” the additional track added to the deluxe album, is my summer anthem and I’ll give you the top 5 reasons why: 

1. It‘s catchy with heavy kick-drum beats and unconventional trumpet, adding a jazz-y flare

2. It is easy to dance to and bust out some moves with your friends

3. It is about self-love and growth

4. Lizzo doesn’t need a man and she reminds me that I don’t either

5.The lyrics are powerful and incredibly impactful

The opening line, “I am free,” can be interpreted multiple ways; after researching and learning more about Lizzo and her journey to create this album, I want to believe that this definitive statement symbolizes that she is free to love herself before letting someone else do it for her; she feels restored physically and emotionally; she feels in control and ready to conquer life, and she loves what she does for a living. During the bridge she sings, “I am my inspiration,” a phrase that is accompanied by the constant beat of a kick drum to heighten the intensity of the mood. Her repetition of these two phrases echo throughout my day, elevating my own mood as I go about my summer. The positivity and light she brings to such heavy material in a difficult and taxing industry make me appreciate all the work she is doing and all the positivity she’s putting out into the world.

Lizzo, if you ever find yourself reading this: welcome to Coven. We see you, we love you, and we admire you. Keep doing what you are doing because your work is so incredibly important.

Love forever witches,

anna