**Lizzo Shares Honest Reflections on Body Image and Weight Loss Journey**
Grammy-winning singer Lizzo, who has become an international symbol of body positivity and self-confidence, has spoken candidly about her recent weight loss and evolving sense of self-image. In a wide-ranging interview, the performer—whose real name is Melissa Viviane Jefferson—opened up about dropping nearly 27 kilograms (approximately 60 pounds), stressing that, despite the physical changes, her relationship with her body remains complex.
Best known for hits like “Juice,” the 37-year-old artist has long occupied a unique place at the intersection of music and the cultural conversation around self-love. Lizzo’s outspoken stance on embracing one’s body, particularly in the face of societal pressure to conform, has resonated with fans around the world. Yet she admits in her latest interview that her experience of body image is still a work in progress.
“I like how I look now. I still think I’m big. I’m still wearing plus-size clothing. I have the same belly, the same rolls, the same thighs—I think I’m just a smaller version,” Lizzo revealed. Her comments highlight the nuanced realities often overlooked in discussions about weight and appearance. She emphasises that body positivity is not about remaining unchanged, but rather about accepting and owning one’s authenticity at any size.
Lizzo went on to challenge common misconceptions about what it means to be confident in one’s skin. “Body positivity has nothing to do with remaining the same. It’s the radical act of daring to exist loudly and proudly in a society that tells you that you shouldn’t exist,” she declared. She added that expressing self-love was once seen as a defiant gesture: “Me saying I love myself in 2016 was offensive to people… How dare you love yourself! You are fat and black and you’re a woman, so you shouldn’t love yourself… I had to fight for that.”
Her journey has not been without its ups and downs. Lizzo shared her struggles with emotional eating and the challenges of finding equilibrium when it comes to her relationship with food. “There were times when I would eat so much that my stomach hurt. When I was done, I would be so uncomfortable I couldn’t breathe and wouldn’t let anyone know. I would hide it,” she admitted. Now, however, the singer says she has found a “beautiful balance” and is proud of the progress she has made. “I’m so proud of myself for overcoming that,” she reflected.
Despite her recent weight loss, Lizzo pushed back against judgement around changing body shapes, noting, “It’s OK to release weight. It’s OK to gain weight after you’ve lost it, because what you’re not going to do is shame me if my body changes again and I get bigger.”
Lizzo’s personal revelations come against the backdrop of ongoing public scrutiny. Last year, she and her production company faced a lawsuit from three former dancers who accused her of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment. The pop star strongly denied the claims, describing them as “gut-wrenchingly difficult and overwhelmingly disappointing.” Separate allegations surfaced from a former stylist, though a US judge later dismissed some claims against the singer.
Addressing the lawsuits in a December 2024 podcast, Lizzo said the accusations were particularly hurtful, noting, “The sexual harassment allegation upsets me the most,” but labelled some of the claims as “silly” and “ridiculous.” A representative for the dancers later clarified that Lizzo remains a defendant in their ongoing suit.
As debates around body image, mental health, and workplace culture continue to shape public discourse, Lizzo’s openness invites wider reflection on the challenges many people face with their bodies and how they are perceived—in both the public eye and in private.
More of Lizzo’s frank reflections can be found in the September edition of Women’s Health UK, where she discusses these issues in depth. Her sustained commitment to body positivity and emotional honesty continues to be a touchstone for many seeking to navigate the pressures of modern life.