Lizzo Responds to Critics Over Viral Body Comment: ‘Mind Your Business’
Lizzo in Los Angeles in November 2025.
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Emma McIntyre/Getty
Lizzo Responds to Body Shaming with Empowering Message
In a striking response to body shaming, Lizzo addressed a viral "fat joke" aimed at her, asserting the importance of self-acceptance. The 37-year-old singer, known for her candidness regarding body image issues, took to Instagram on December 4 to share a poolside photo of herself in a yellow snake-print string bikini.
"Today I saw a fat joke about me — in 2025 — and it was viral," Lizzo stated in her caption. While she labeled the joke as “dumb,” she chose not to elaborate on its content.
“They were just laughing at me because I’m fat…. Let me be a reminder to everyone to NEVER let anyone shame you for what you choose to do with your body," she continued. “Because when you’re big they talk s—, when you’re small they talk s—. Your body will never be good enough for them because it’s not FOR them. It’s for you.”
Lizzo, born Melissa Viviane Jefferson, emphasized the need for individuals to prioritize their own bodies without concern for societal judgment. “If I get a BBL, mind your business; if I lose 100lbs, mind your business; if I gain every pound back and then some… mind your f—— business,” she remarked, underscoring her stance on personal choices regarding body image.
She concluded her message with a defiant statement: “Anyways.. my fat ass stays living with a paid off mortgage in y’all bitches’ heads. 🥱.”
Ongoing Conversations About Body Image
Lizzo has been open about her fitness journey and the scrutiny that comes with it. In her track "IDGAS," part of her mixtape My Face Still Hurts from Smiling, she reflects on the double standards surrounding body size. “What you gonna say? I throw ass on the ‘net for attention. What you gonna say? I lost weight. Let me guess, is that Ozempic?” she raps, addressing speculation about possible weight loss medications.
The ongoing conversation surrounding Lizzo’s weight loss has been a topic of media attention. She has previously stated that she has “tried everything” to lose weight but has consistently denied using medications like Ozempic long-term. In a deleted Instagram post, she shared details about her rigorous fitness routine, including training three times a week and a carefully monitored diet.
Lizzo in West Hollywood, Calif., in November 2025.
Stefanie Keenan/Getty
In a personal essay published on Substack, Lizzo further elaborated on the impact of weight-related judgments on her career. “People could not see my talent as a musician because they were too busy accusing me of making ‘being fat’ my whole personality,” she wrote. She highlighted the difficulties of navigating societal perceptions and the need for the body positivity movement to evolve beyond commercialization, stating, “Because movements move.”
