Why Lizzo’s Body Positivity Isn’t Just Empowering—It’s a Cultural Earthquake in 2025

Entertainment / Date: 06-26-2025

Here’s a wild truth most people still won’t say out loud in 2025: Lizzo didn’t just make plus-size bodies visible—she made them unapologetically powerful. And that has terrified an industry built on shame. This article dives into how Lizzo reshaped both music and body image—without waiting for permission, and without shrinking herself to fit into anyone’s comfort zone.

The Industry Said “Shrink.” Lizzo Said “Watch Me Grow.”

Before we get into it, let’s get one thing clear: Lizzo isn’t just a pop star who happens to be plus-size. That’s way too simple—and honestly, kind of disrespectful.

She’s a trained flautist. A Grammy winner. A chart-topper. A live show powerhouse. And on top of that? She’s a walking, twerking revolution in a world that still clutches its pearls at the sight of fat confidence.

This piece will break down her impact in two ways:
1. How she is altering body image conventions
2. How her music’s energy has changed the way we feel about pop itself

Let’s get uncomfortable, shall we?

The Myth of “Healthy Bodies” Was Always a Lie—and Lizzo Exposed It

For decades, “body positivity” was marketed with a catch: You could love yourself… as long as you were working to get smaller. Doctors, influencers, even cereal brands fed us this idea that “health” meant thinness. Period.

Then came Lizzo, dancing in crop tops, sweating on stage, eating clean when she wanted—and not giving anyone a health report.

And you know what? The backlash was instant.

People called her “unhealthy.” Said she was “promoting obesity.” But let’s be real—if a thin pop star ate a whole pizza on TikTok, she’d be “relatable.” When Lizzo does it? She’s “irresponsible.”

See the double standard?

Lizzo’s body wasn’t the problem. Our comfort with fat joy was.

Here’s the Twist: Lizzo Made Confidence the Trend—Not Just Curves

Sure, we’ve seen plus-size models before. A few made headlines. But Lizzo? She didn’t tiptoe into fame. She kicked the damn door open, flute in hand, yelling, “I’m my own soulmate!”

And the world listened. Because she didn’t just look different. She felt different.

Her lyrics became affirmations:

“I’m 100% that bitch.”
“If I’m shining, everybody gonna shine.”

Yup—you finished that line in your head, didn’t you?

Lizzo’s music wasn’t just catchy. It was soul fuel. It gave women—especially Black, big-bodied, or marginalized women—a new anthem.

Pop Music Used to Be About Fantasy—Lizzo Made It About Reality

Here’s a weird truth: pop used to be fake on purpose.

Think about it. Perfect makeup. Choreographed moves. Fake love stories. Everything polished, filtered, designed to be bigger than life.

Lizzo flipped that script.

Her shows? Messy, sweaty, loud. Her lyrics? Honest to the bone. She talks about mental health, crying at night, loving yourself at noon, and hating your ex by dinner. Real life.

What Haters Got Dead Wrong About Lizzo’s Influence

Let’s address the trolls for a second.

Every time Lizzo posts a workout video or shares her vegan meals, someone online yells, “See! She’s trying to lose weight!”
And every time she doesn’t, they yell, “You’re unhealthy!”

So here’s the real issue: it was never about her health. It was about control.

Society wants women—especially women of color—to shrink, to be quiet, to be grateful just to be seen. Lizzo didn’t ask for permission. She demanded a spotlight, and took up space in it.

And honestly? That scared people more than any number on a scale ever could.

Lizzo’s Not a Trend—She’s a Template

We’re five years past the Cuz I Love You era, and the ripple effects are still going.

Thanks to Lizzo:

More plus-size artists are being signed without being told to change their look.
Fashion brands are expanding past token inclusivity.
Music videos now show a wider range of bodies dancing front and center.

Even mainstream award shows, which used to only celebrate thin, white beauty, now have no choice but to embrace the new wave.

Her Music Was Always About More Than Just Beats and Hooks

If you think Lizzo’s success is just about “body positivity,” you’re missing half the picture.

She made joy political. She made vulnerability trendy. She made Black, big-bodied women impossible to ignore in spaces that used to shut them out.

And her sound? It's not soft. It’s brass, funk, hip-hop, soul, gospel, and disco—all shaken up into a musical cocktail that makes you dance and cry at the same time.

She makes anthems, not singles. Energy, not background noise.

So What Happens When a Movement Has a Face?

Here’s the kicker… Movements are risky when they revolve around a single person. And Lizzo knows this. She's said it herself: “I’m not the only one who can do this. I’m just loud.”

But her loudness cracked the door for thousands of others to walk through. Dancers. Models. Artists. Everyday people.

She wasn’t perfect. She had controversies. She’s been held accountable. She’s taken breaks from the internet. All of that makes her more real—not less important.