Is Lizzo’s Message Empowering or Controversial?

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Lizzo is the defining star of 2019 - not just for the music she makes, but for all the attention she has been attracting lately. The Grammy-nominated artist went mainstream with the release of the third studio album Cuz I Love You, which reached Billboard 200's top five. 

Her songs alone send a strong message of self-love and self-acceptance, yet she is going viral for many other incidents. Audiences are deciding whether she is taking it too far, or if she is a body-positive icon making a stand against societal beauty standards. 

Revealing Outfit at a Basketball Game

Lizzo received criticism after her conduct earlier this month at the Los Angeles Lakers game. When the Laker's Girl's performance began, the song "Juice" came on. The singer got so excited about her music being played that she got up and danced to it. As a result, her thong-revealing dress broadcast onto the big screen and went viral.

Many argue that the attire was inappropriate for the public family event. Others see it as hypocritical because no one would bat an eye if the cheerleading team wear small outfits and buy thigh high socks for girls. They believe that what others wear is acceptable as long as they are petite. 

Loyal fans were happy to see their performer get excited about her song being played. It can also be interpreted as an act of rebellion for the body positivity movement. 

Racy Instagram Images

This isn't the first time the performer is under fire for the way she dressed or presents herself. Two weeks ago, Lizzo shocked the world when she posted a series of nude photos and videos on Instagram. 

In one, she bared it all for a Titanic-inspired photoshoot. While she is no stranger to revealing outfits and images, it was her most audacious content yet. 

Lizzo's Response to Criticisms

The outrage of the way she portrayed herself came from both spectators and even other entertainers in the industry. Rapper Azealia Banks, famous for her many feuds in recent years, attacked Lizzo and other artists in a series of now-deleted Instagram comments.

In the offensive online rant, Banks stated that Lizzo was portraying a stereotypical stage persona instead of being progressive in a more productive way. To her and many other like-minded individuals, Lizzo is "making a fool of herself for a white American public" and "setting a bad example for black women." 

Lizzo brought attention to the backlash she was receiving online. "Negative criticism has no stake in my life, no control over my life, over my emotions." 

Why it Matters

68% of women in America wear clothes size 14 and over. Plus-sized people draw more criticism of what they wear, especially if it's revealing. This leaves young men and women vulnerable to eating disorders and other adverse effects of poor body image. 

The fashion and beauty industry are some of the many fields that either contribute or profit from poor self-esteem and body image problems. Lizzo is teaching that being confident about yourself shouldn't be considered an act of bravery. She wants self-acceptance and confidence to be considered normal, no matter what size you are.  

Regardless of how she is seen, Lizzo is bringing light to how the world sees plus-size women. Her talent and attitude will continue to inspire many young women who are struggling to accept themselves.