2019 was dubbed the year of Lizzo’s pop-stardom, as she radiates positivity, authenticity, and a refreshingly new form of self-empowerment. In an industry dominated largely by small white women, Lizzo aims to bring a message of empowering oneself based on who you are as a person, not based on other’s expectations. In comparison, other proclaimed empowering music from artists like Cardi B and Nicki Minaj boast about wealth and attractiveness to men.
So what about Lizzo makes her approach to self-love and self-care seem so new?
Lizzo works hard in rejecting the idea that women must remain humble at all times, and quit downplaying their accomplishments. In a climate where silencing and shrinking ourselves is commonplace, we tend to apologise for everything to everyone, don’t promote ourselves out of the fear of being seen as conceited or ‘up ourselves’. We downplay ourselves, our accomplishments, and accept inequality in an environment thats conditioned us socially to be as humble as much as possible.
“We’re taught to believe we don’t belong in the spotlight, but when we finally get to a place to self-worth, the world tries to knock us down.”
“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.”
A large part of what makes Lizzo’s voice in the self-love discussion so prominent is that she’s an authentic voice in a consumerist world. She doesn’t use her stance on body positivity as a marketing tool, and acknowledges that loving yourself isn’t a brand, it’s a decision that must be made. You own up to and recognize your vulnerabilities and shortcomings, and decide to work towards what will honestly help with what we need. It might be therapy, working on communicating your emotions, or reaching out to someone to talk to.
She understands how difficult it is to ‘just love yourself’ in a society that demands we cannot love ourselves until we have enough money to do so. Take brands like Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop, who exploit self-care as an extension of high end luxury shopping in a multi billion dollar industry.
“[Society] tells you that you should get money to buy this so you can look like that and be perfect. And so a lot of people ask me how I do it, and I tell them that I don’t take self-acceptance for granted or lightly, because I know it’s difficult.”
“Self-care is more than just going to the spa, getting your nails done or drinking a mimosa “’cause it’s Sunday.” It is so much deeper than what commercialization is going to try to turn it into.”
Til next time,
Hannah
Hey, Honey! 