Lizzo recently opened up about taking a break from public life, saying she’s stepping back to “protect her peace.” Reflecting on her decision, she discussed the toll that relentless online criticism and scrutiny have taken on her and shared her thoughts on managing her public presence.
Lizzo, who has long been vocal about body positivity and other social issues, explained her new approach to social media: “I talk about the things that are important to me and where I feel I can make a difference; those are my boundaries with the public now,” she said during her appearance at Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Summit on October 14.
She added that after facing countless attacks, “Only God can cancel me now.”
The singer’s recent statements come after a turbulent year, marked by a lawsuit from three of her former dancers, who alleged that she created an abusive work environment and engaged in weight-shaming.
Lizzo vehemently denied the claims, sharing that the accusations have questioned her work ethic and integrity. She responded to these allegations on social media, noting, “Usually, I choose not to respond to false allegations, but these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous not to address.”
Lizzo’s struggle with public criticism isn’t new; in March, she expressed feeling overwhelmed by the constant negativity directed at her both online and in real life. In an Instagram post, she lamented, “I’m getting tired of putting up with being dragged by everyone in my life and on the internet,” and expressed her continued desire to focus on making music and spreading positivity. She clarified, however, that despite stepping back, she isn’t leaving music altogether. Instead, she’s choosing to disregard the negativity, saying, “I’m going to keep being me.”
