If you were hoping a new Lizzo album would be out by the end of the year, you’ll have to keep waiting: the pop star recently shared a rather soothing Instagram Reel of her vacation in Bali with the caption, “I’m taking a gap year & protecting my peace🙏🏾.”
A gap year typically refers to a stretch of personal time taken in between school years — often after high school graduation and before starting college or university — intended as a period of enlightenment and self-discovery before moving onto the next phase of life. While Lizzo is probably not getting ready to go back to college after her Bali vacay, she has been working nonstop since dropping out and entering the music industry in 2011.
Lizzo may be in paradise enjoying some rest and recovery, but 2023 was one of the most turbulent years of her career so far. She had some major wins: a 2023 Grammy Award for “Record of the Year,” a major contribution to Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt’s Barbie soundtrack, and the final leg of her “Special Tour,” which saw Lizzo playing some of the biggest shows of her career across the globe.
But there were also some challenges — notably, Lizzo was sued by her former backup dancers for sexual harassment and perpetuating a hostile work environment. She responded to the claims, calling the allegations “outrageous” and “sensationalized.” She was then hit with an additional lawsuit from her former wardrobe designer (the suit mainly concerned Lizzo’s wardrobe manager Amanda Nomura, but alleges that Lizzo was well aware of Nomura’s inappropriate behavior and didn’t address it).
Lizzo requested to have her sexual harassment case thrown out, but was denied — she filed an appeal, however, and the case is currently paused. Since then, Lizzo has been candid on social media about her mental health struggles and frustrations with public criticism. In March, Lizzo nearly quit music: “I’m getting tired of putting up with being dragged by everyone in my life and on the Internet,” she said, “I’m constantly up against lies being told about me for clout & views… 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 shit — I QUIT.”
She clarified her statement, saying that she wasn’t quitting music, but was quitting “giving any negative energy attention.” “What I’m not gonna quit is the joy of my life, which is making music, which is connecting with people,” she said. “I know I’m not alone. 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.”
Now, Lizzo’s back in active mode on social media, writing in May, “I’m the happiest I’ve been in 10 months.” She’s posted a few pics already from her “gap year” in Indonesia this week; check out Lizzo’s Instagram Reel below.
