When Lizzo posted a frank statement to Instagram last week declaring “I QUIT,” many fans assumed that the “Truth Hurts” singer meant that she was stepping away from the public eye for good. That’s why, when just two days later she started posting promo photos for her shapewear brand Yitty, some people were a little confused.
But in a new video posted Tuesday (April 2), Lizzo cleared things up for good. “I just need to clarify — when I say I quit, I mean, I quit giving any negative energy attention,” she said, facing the camera in an aquamarine bodysuit. “What I’m not gonna quit is the joy of my life, which is making music, which is connecting with people.”
“I know I’m not alone,” she continued. “In no way, shape or form am I the only person who is experiencing that negative voice that seems to be louder than the positive … I’m going to keep moving forward, I’m going to keep being me.”
The video comes about four days after the singer shared a message to Instagram signed, in all-caps, “I QUIT.” “I’m getting tired of putting up with being dragged by everyone in my life and on the Internet,” read the note, posted March 29. “All I want is to make music and make people happy and help the world be a little better than how I found it. But I’m starting to feel like the world doesn’t want me in it.”
“I’m constantly up against lies being told about me for clout & views…,” she continued at the time. “Being the butt of the joke every single time because of how I look… my character being picked apart by people who don’t know me and disrespecting my name. I didn’t sign up for this sh–.”
Though the Grammy winner never specified which instances of “being dragged” she was referring to, it’s true that she’s been the subject of much scrutiny in recent months. In August last year, three of her former tour dancers filed a harassment lawsuit against her, alleging sexual misconduct and hostile work conditions.
Lizzo has been adamant that the accusations are false, deeming them “sensationalized stories” in a statement shortly after news of the suit went public. Following her “I QUIT” message last week, the plaintiff’s attorney Ron Zambrano issued the following statement: “It’s a joke that Lizzo would say she is being bullied by the internet when she should instead be taking an honest look at herself … Her latest post is just another outburst seeking attention and trying to deflect from her own failings as she continues to blame everyone else for the predicament she is in.”
However, the musician’s own lawyer followed up with a response shared with Billboard, “With nearly half his case dismissed, 18 independent witnesses siding with Lizzo and no settlement on the way to get him his tasty contingency fee, Ron has started making wild personal attacks that have absolutely nothing to do with the clients who he is supposedly representing.”
No matter what happens, it looks like Lizzo is determined to stay focused on the positive going forward. “I just want to say thank you,” she added in her new video, getting choked up. “The love that I’ve received, it means more than you know.”
See Lizzo’s post below.
