So people were ready to jump all over Lizzo when Page Six posted a pic of her minding her own dang business in a red bikini.
Lizzo looks like she's having a great time in Brazil.
Lizzo rocks tiny red bikini beachside during Brazilian vacation https://t.co/PMjcKrMy3a https://t.co/ofMyjdfovp— Page Six (@Page Six) 1581106547.0
So of course, some folks NEEDED to try and ruin it for her.
@PageSix This isn’t healthy. I don’t even understand what you’re celebrating here? If she was emaciated and all bon… https://t.co/E2gqfcxjXs— Mindy Robinson 🇺🇸 (@Mindy Robinson 🇺🇸) 1581108871.0
@PageSix I don't care how wonderful she feels about herself being that overweight cannot be healthy! She has to realize this?— Wanda Miller💞🇺🇸💞(◍•ᴗ•◍)❤🇺🇸💞 (@Wanda Miller💞🇺🇸💞(◍•ᴗ•◍)❤🇺🇸💞) 1581108358.0
@PageSix @nypost "Rocks?" I think you mean "subjects beach goers to"— Mark Dice (@Mark Dice) 1581108019.0
@PageSix The feminist-approved body-positivity movement doesn’t help women... it can KILL women. Glorifying bodies… https://t.co/5pctqLzMJ9— Lisa Britton (@Lisa Britton) 1581125714.0
@PageSix Oh cool, we are celebrating destroying ourselves. How cool— Spik Frank (@Spik Frank) 1581108231.0
Simply put, you cannot determine a person's health by their visible weight. In fact, depending on the person, genetics can have a 70%-80% impact on how quickly a person puts on and retains weight.
since Lizzo has the lung capacity and the stamina to do an entire concert and then bust out the flute, it seems like a pretty poor thing to get on her case about.
Of course, not everybody was a troll.
Several people rushed right to Lizzo's defense.
@PageSix The outright and shameless abuse and fat hate here is absolutely sickening and speaks to everything that is wrong with our culture.— Shira Rose (@Shira Rose) 1581185837.0
@PageSix We might all think she’s too overweight and it’s unhealthy but we have to look the other way. She is stil… https://t.co/rnvcnxEj7i— Melba Toast (@Melba Toast) 1581127802.0
@PageSix why are ppl so negative when big people love themselves?Like they’re supposed to walk around hating themse… https://t.co/kaHaWFg3uK— vee @ Junko Wig Commisions ♡ (@vee @ Junko Wig Commisions ♡) 1581214447.0
@PageSix Watching all the white women and incels having a temper tantrum because something challenges their very narrow version of “beauty”— Joy Henderson (@Joy Henderson) 1581211892.0
@PageSix The only people I see commenting negative stuff is the MAGA crowd. All people who have very little positi… https://t.co/fD8ystYWJa— Shell Griggs (@Shell Griggs) 1581222034.0
The body positivity movement is very clear that the goal is to "end the harmful consequences of negative body image: eating disorders, depression, anxiety, cutting, suicide, substance abuse, and relationship violence."
Therefore, those claiming to be concerned about Lizzo's "health" may actually be pushing her and others who digest that information to making vastly more unhealthy choices.
@LisaBritton @imteddybless @PageSix Then worry about why the medical profession doesn’t take the pain and health of… https://t.co/SAYTT5qPcT— Cézanne (@Cézanne) 1581262566.0
@PageSix all these disgusting comments... but what can I say ?? haters gonna hate xoxo https://t.co/x9yYGZm9f3— ʟɪʟɪ ◟̽◞̽ 🌻 (@ʟɪʟɪ ◟̽◞̽ 🌻) 1581209764.0
@PageSix Nobody is celebrating obesity here. We are celebrating a woman’s confidence. In a world where celebrities… https://t.co/cycEXRmDqm— 🌈 Tricia (@🌈 Tricia) 1581263547.0
@britsbiteback @RangCatherine @PageSix I am disabled & in a federally protected class under the Americans w/ Disabi… https://t.co/3lkpikjlN4— a free spinster (@a free spinster) 1581262944.0
And when presented with a body shamer in December, Lizzo already had the perfect response ready.
I’m popular because I write good songs and I’m talented and perform high energy hour and a half shows filled with l… https://t.co/dDdEfMoxRF— Feelin Good As Hell (@Feelin Good As Hell) 1577135127.0
"The only person who needs to do better is you."
**
Michaels faced serious backlash after her comments about Lizzo's body earlier this week. Comments are still pouring in on the AM to DMpost.
Michaels has come under fire before for her abusive style of personal training and the lack of long-term success of those she bullied to drastic weight loss on shows like The Biggest Loser.
In the midst of the ongoing conversation, Lizzo has not returned to Twitter and did not directly comment in the conversation or on Michaels' thoughts about celebrating her body. Instead, she shared a video on Instagram about self-love.
In the incredibly timely video, Lizzo says nothing. She shares a video from her perspective, starting with a shot of her legs while she's on her bed, followed by a quick tour of the luxurious suite she's staying in.
Finally, she goes out to the balcony, where viewers can see the tremendous view she has, with water and a beautiful sky in the distance. Just faintly over the sound of the highway, birds can be heard chirping.
Lizzo wrote in the caption:
"At the 25 second mark, I want you to take 5 deep breaths... In through the nose... out through the mouth..."
"Today's mantra is: This is my life. I have done nothing wrong. I forgive myself for thinking I was wrong in the first place. I deserve to be happy."
You can see Lizzo's Instagram post here:
The comments have been overwhelmingly positive, reacting to Lizzo's message, the beautiful scenery and the deep-breathing exercise.
@lizzobeeating / Instagram
@lizzobeeating / Instagram
@lizzobeeating / Instagram
@lizzobeeating / Instagram
@lizzobeeating / Instagram
@lizzobeeating / Instagram
@lizzobeeating / Instagram
@lizzobeeating / Instagram
@lizzobeeating / Instagram
Though it seems Twitter brings with it a lot of trolls for Lizzo, it seems Instagram is a much safer, calmer space for the artist to practice self-love while continuing to do what she does best: creating music and spreading joy to many.
No matter what's been discussed this week, Lizzo is on a tremendous path to success, with fans who celebrate her music, her persistence, her positivity and her self-acceptance.
The former Biggest Loser trainer asked why Lizzo fans were "celebrating her body" instead of her songs during a controversial interview on BuzzFeed News' AM2DM.
"Why are we celebrating her body? Why does it matter? Why aren't we celebrating her music?"
"It isn't going to be awesome if she gets diabetes."
.@JillianMichaels on Lizzo: "Why are we celebrating her body? Why does it matter? Why aren't we celebrating her mus… https://t.co/aUnnrVt7LC— AM2DM by BuzzFeed News (@AM2DM by BuzzFeed News) 1578505560.0
She tried to dial it back a notch by praising Lizzo's music but came back with sarcasm.
"I love her music. My kid loves her music. But there's never a moment where I'm like, 'And I'm so glad that she's overweight.'"
Trolls have been known to fat-shame the singer, and consequently, Lizzo announced she was quitting Twitter on Sunday.
@lizzo/Twitter
Celebrities like The Good Place's Jameela Jamil came to Lizzo's defense and berated Michaels.
Just saying... MY WHOLE DAMN THIN FAMILY HAS DIABETES AND HIGH CHOLESTEROL AND PROBLEMS WITH OUR JOINTS. Why is Thi… https://t.co/NsClZGJun1— Jameela Jamil 🌈 (@Jameela Jamil 🌈) 1578508463.0
We celebrate @Lizzo’s body because she inhabits it with love & teaches us to do the same. She holds concerts that i… https://t.co/gpMJqPkD6j— Sharanya Haridas (@Sharanya Haridas) 1578514905.0
Others went after the personal trainer for her misguided criticism.
@AM2DM @JillianMichaels Lizzo spends hours every night singing and playing the flute during intensive dance cardio.… https://t.co/EsBLDizHB3— 🐺Mira (@🐺Mira) 1578509142.0
@AM2DM @JillianMichaels More people die from complications of anorexia than any other mental illness, but sure, let… https://t.co/3JocP4V2eP— Michal is Mandalorthodox (@Michal is Mandalorthodox) 1578509036.0
TW Fatphobia - Once you understand that nothing she is saying is backed by fact or science, this interview becomes… https://t.co/ClA0YanxXo— belen (@belen) 1578512209.0
Fans reminded Michaels of Lizzo's fierce athleticism on stage singing and dancing in heels night after night in addition to playing the flute.
Facebook user Stefan Brundage shared a quote from Melissa Florer-Bixler – a pastor from Raleigh Mennonite Church – who defended Lizzo and said:
"...the next time you hear someone opine that Lizzo is normalizing obesity, know that this is simply more fat-phobia disguised as health concerns."
Do let us know when you can twerk and play the flute at the same time, Jillian. Until then, shut your mouth. https://t.co/jvvYlNK5Fu— Imani Gandy (@Imani Gandy) 1578508748.0
People continued to school Michaels with some facts.
@AM2DM @JillianMichaels Nick Jonas and Halle Berry both have diabetes. Fat does not equal diabetes.— Gheigh Niggaologist (@Gheigh Niggaologist) 1578509372.0
Also re: Jillian and Lizzo: this is a failed attempt to dunk on a girl who enthusiastically shares her dance & stre… https://t.co/3H6w7VdXTC— Sara Benincasa (@Sara Benincasa) 1578509070.0
Also, if Jillian Michaels actually cared about folks getting fit and healthy to meet whatever her own ideal is (whi… https://t.co/YKd114OKz1— Sara Benincasa (@Sara Benincasa) 1578509232.0
Also, there is a racial component here, whether or not Michaels makes a policy of policing all famous self-describe… https://t.co/RHzs4g8Xpp— Sara Benincasa (@Sara Benincasa) 1578509445.0
@AM2DM @JillianMichaels Fat shaming is not ok. Using fat shaming as an alarm, code or determinant for contracting a… https://t.co/46anDVORaB— MrsBundrige (@MrsBundrige) 1578515001.0
@AM2DM @JillianMichaels Her body is nobody else’s business— taylorbold. (@taylorbold.) 1578534683.0
Michaels responded to the backlash on Instagram and wrote:
"As I've stated repeatedly, we are all beautiful, worthy, and equally deserving."
"I also feel strongly that we love ourselves enough to acknowledge there are serious health consequences that come with obesity -- heart disease, diabetes, cancer to name only a few."
"I would never wish these for ANYONE and I would hope we prioritize our health because we LOVE ourselves and our bodies."
Last month, Lizzo faced criticism from author Boyce Watkins, who said her fame was due to the fact that "there is an obesity epidemic in America."
Watkins tweeted:
"Rather than encouraging people to do better, we are simply lying to them and telling them that they are just fine the way they are."
"Unfortunately, many of these people are dying from diabetes and heart disease."
#Lizzo popular is because there is an obesity epidemic in America. Rather than encouraging people to do better, we… https://t.co/2zyErfs63l— Dr Boyce Watkins (@Dr Boyce Watkins) 1576871806.0
In response to Watkins' unwelcome insight, Lizzo disagreed and credited her popularity for reasons unrelated to her body image.
"I'm popular because I write good songs and I'm talented and perform high energy hour and a half shows filled with love."
"The only person who needs to do better is you."
"Keep my name out ya mouth & look in the mirror before you come for me."
I’m popular because I write good songs and I’m talented and perform high energy hour and a half shows filled with l… https://t.co/dDdEfMoxRF— Feelin Good As Hell (@Feelin Good As Hell) 1577135127.0
We love you, Lizzo!