Lizzo explains she's not quitting music after denouncing 'lies being told about me'
Lizzo has had enough.
The four-time Grammy winner took to Instagram Friday evening to share a vulnerable message about feeling unfairly criticized.
"I'm getting tired of putting up with being dragged by everyone in my life and on the internet. All I want is to make music and make people happy and help the world be a little better than how I found it," she wrote. "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… 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," she concluded. "I QUIT???"
USA TODAY has reached out to reps for the singer for comment.
Comedian Loni Love showed her support, writing, "Girl don’t let them win… stay off the internet.. hug up yo man… keep working.." Paris Hilton also chimed in, commenting, "We love you Queen????."
Latto also told Lizzo to shake it off: "The ppl need u Lizzo. I remember U made me keep going when I wanted to quit before. Ur soul is SO pure." She added she's "team Lizzo" for life.
Lizzo clarifies she's not quitting music
Four days after sharing this message, Lizzo shared an Instagram video clarifying what she meant by saying she "quit."
"I want to make this video because I just want to clarify when I say 'I quit', I mean I quit giving any negative energy attention," she said. "What I'm not going to quit is the joy of my life, which is making music, which is connecting to people because I know I'm not alone."
She added, "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. If I can just give one person the inspiration or motivation to stand up for themselves and say they quit letting negative people win, negative comments win, then I've done even more than I could've hoped for."
Lizzo concluded, "With that being said, I'm going to keep moving forward. I'm going to keep being me."
Lizzo's Instagram statement comes amid two lawsuits
In August, Lizzo was sued for allegedly pressuring and weight shaming her former dancers. Plaintiffs Crystal Williams, Arianna Davis and Noelle Rodriguez claimed in the lawsuit that they were victims of sexual, racial and religious harassment, assault, false imprisonment and disability discrimination, in addition to other allegations.
Later that week, Lizzo took to Instagram to share a statement in which she denied the allegations. The singer wrote that she typically doesn't address "false allegations," but said "these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous not to be addressed." She also claimed the allegations "are coming from former employees who have already publicly admitted that they were told their behavior on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional."
Lizzo added, "I know what it feels like to be body shamed on a daily basis and would absolutely never criticize or terminate an employee because of their weight."
Her lawyers filed a response to the lawsuit in September denying "each and every allegation contained in the complaint." The cause is ongoing in Los Angeles Superior Court.
A week prior, her former wardrobe manager filed another lawsuit against the musician that accused her, as well as the people who worked on Lizzo's The Special Tour, of alleged sexual and racial harassment, disability discrimination and creating a hostile work environment.
Backup dancers' lawsuit: Lizzo sued for 'demoralizing' weight shaming, sexual harassment
"(Lizzo) has created a sexualized and racially charged environment on her tours that her management staff sees as condoning such behavior, and so it continues unchecked," Asha Daniels' lawsuit claimed.
The next day, Lizzo tearfully accepted a humanitarian award at a Beverly Hills gala and seemingly alluded to the lawsuits in her speech.
“Thank you so much for this. Because I needed this right now. God's timing is on time,” Lizzo told the crowd.
Lizzo has made several public appearances since she was hit with these lawsuits last year.
On Thursday, she performed at President Biden's 2024 campaign fundraiser at New York's Radio City Music Hall. Earlier this month, she attended the Vanity Fair Oscar Party and graced the star-studded red carpet in a brown mini dress.
In February, she returned to the Grammy Awards a year after she took home record of the year for "About Damn Time" to present the best R&B song award to SZA.
Contributing: Morgan Hines and Naledi Ushe
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lizzo says she's not quitting music after speaking out against 'lies'