In a revealing interview on Jay Shetty’s ‘On Purpose’ podcast, pop superstar Lizzo has finally broken her months-long silence. She opened up about the real reason she stepped away from the spotlight, the emotional toll of public scrutiny following a lawsuit, and how she’s now reclaiming her own story. For fans who thought she was quitting, Lizzo made one thing clear: she is just getting started.
A Hiatus That Was Happening in Real Time
When Lizzo mentioned she was on a “gap year,” many assumed it was a future plan. However, she clarified that she was already in the middle of it. It wasn’t a dramatic announcement but a quiet reality she was living through.
This period of silence wasn’t about running away. Instead, it was a deliberate choice to step back, listen, and find her balance again. Lizzo explained that staying quiet was a survival tactic in a world where every word can be twisted. She admitted she hadn’t expressed herself freely for two years out of fear of misinterpretation.
Her withdrawal from social media wasn’t a sign of indifference; it was a protective measure. When people questioned her need for peace, she realized that even the act of healing had become something she had to defend publicly.
How the Lawsuit Shattered Her Public Image
The turning point came in August 2023, when a lawsuit was filed by three of her former dancers. Lizzo said the speed at which the internet turned against her was more painful than the lawsuit itself. She felt she lost complete control of her own identity overnight.
The experience left her feeling trapped and misunderstood. She explained that the public narrative created a version of her that she didn’t recognize. In her interview with Shetty, she powerfully stated, “Whoever Lizzo is to the world is not really even me.”
The disconnect between her reality and her public persona became a heavy burden. She felt the public reaction caused several things:
- She lost the power to define her own image.
- Stories she claims were untrue were widely accepted as fact.
- Her fame, once a platform, felt more like a prison.
- She was judged and labeled before she had a chance to speak.
The Moment a Stranger Saved Her
The weight of global judgment pushed Lizzo to her breaking point. During a recent concert in Los Angeles, she tearfully confessed to the audience just how close she came to giving up entirely.
“I didn’t want to live anymore,” she revealed, describing a period where she was afraid to even be seen in public. The healing, however, came from an unexpected and simple act of kindness.
She recalled a moment when a stranger in a crowd made eye contact with her and said, “Lizzo, I love you.” That one genuine connection, she explained, was enough to stop her downward spiral. It reminded her of the real love that exists beyond online hate.
Returning with a New Voice and a New Album
Now, Lizzo is done being silent. She is channeling her experience into her music, releasing two new singles, “Love in Real Life” and “Still Bad.” These songs are part of her upcoming album, also titled Love in Real Life, which she describes as her personal reset.
She is determined to be the sole author of her own life story from now on. “I can’t just let any author into my life who can make me a villain… I’m the author,” she declared. This marks a significant shift from defending a public brand to reclaiming a human voice.
While she is more careful now about who she lets into her circle, this caution comes from clarity, not fear. And for anyone still wondering, she confirmed she has no plans to stop. Telling her truth through her music is not just her career; it’s how she continues to heal.
