Before embarking on a North American tour in September, Lizzo delivered a show-stopping performance on the Today Show as part of the Citi Concert Series on Friday.
The Grammy winner belted out some of her classic hits and fresh tracks off her fourth studio album, Special, released that same day.
For the first time, she performed 2 Be Loved, which is the synth-pop-driven track on her new album. She also sang Truth Hurts, which was a viral sleeper hit two years after its release, as well as About That Damn Time, the lead single for her latest album.
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The Juice hitmaker couldn’t be missed on stage in a metallic blue ensemble that included a cropped bustier top, a pair of flared trousers, and a wide corseted belt that provided some coverage.
Embracing a contemporary cowboy aesthetic, her outfit featured Western embroideries, silver-tone studs, buckles, chains, and fringes.
Lizzo performing fresh tracks from her newly dropped album Special at the Citi Concert Series on July 15, 2022 (Credit: ROGER WONG / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
She paired her striking ensemble with crystal-embellished Western boots and kept the rest of her accessories toned down, styling with just a pair of pearl stud earrings.
Wearing her dark tresses in side-parted voluminous curls, Lizzo wore a full face of makeup, with glittery eyeshadow, blue graphic liner, heavy blush, and neutral lip color.
Lizzo styles her tresses in voluminous curls and wears graphic eyeliner with glittery eyeshadow (Credit: ROGER WONG / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
Later, the hip-hop flutist swapped her Western outfit for comfortable shapewear from her size-inclusive intimate line, Yitty, created in collaboration with Fabletics.
The body-positive icon opted for a two-piece royal blue set that included the $59.95 Major Label Shaping High-Waist Logo biker shorts and the matching $49.95 Major Label Smoothing Cross-Front bralette with a cleavage-baring V-neckline.
Lizzo flaunts her figure in the Major Label shapewear set from her intimate collection with Fabletics, Yitty (Credit: ROGER WONG / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
Lizzo Is Not An Overnight Success
Time’s 2019 Entertainer of the Year has been having a great week after her reality competition series, Watch Out for the Big Grrrls, received six Emmy nominations, including one for Outstanding Competition Program.
Before her performance, the 34-year-old singer told hosts Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie: “The Emmys were shocking. I mean, we did Watch Out for the Big Grrrls just so I could have dancers.”
“We didn’t think about trophies or accolades, so to be acknowledged is just incredible. I already feel like a winner,” she added.
Lizzo talks about her successful career and Emmy nominations for her reality competition show Watch Out for the Big Grrrls (Credit: ROGER WONG / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
Lizzo also said she’s proud of her latest album, which was “three-and-a-half years in the making.” “It’s literally a classic no-skips album. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done.”
While it may seem like her career blew up overnight, Lizzo shared, “It takes ten years to become an overnight success.”
“I’ve been doing this since I was nine years old. I’ve been writing songs. I’ve been studying flute since I was 12. I’ve been in rap crews, and I put out ‘Lizzo Bangers’ in 2012, my first solo mix tape. I’ve been through it all. I’ve done it all. And I’m here, and it’s very surreal.”
She added she “needed to discover my self-love” to become successful. “I think because the music that’s connecting to people is my self-love. And 10 years ago, I wasn’t here. I was not at this place.”
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Lizzo Admits Getting Greedy with Special Album
While making the rounds on the press circuit in support of Special, Lizzo dropped by The Breakfast Club to talk about being in the spotlight on her fourth album—without any featured guests.
“Obviously, there were people who I’m a fan of that I’ve sent songs to and everything, and it didn’t work out. But I do get a little greedy, where it’s like, ‘Man, I really just want to take this opportunity to show y’all what I can do.’”
Lizzo, pictured at the 2022 Met Gala in a Thom Browne gown, admits being greedy with her latest album, Special (Credit: PA IMAGES / INSTARimages)
“It’s a classic, no-skip album with no features. I think I deserve to have that moment.”
“I’ll be on everybody’s song; everybody’s gonna be on my song. But I wanted to have my moment. I wanted to make a statement with my music and show the world what kind of musician I am because I’m a mu-sic-i-an, okay? I’m a song-writ-air, and I wanted to flex that and pimp my pen.”
Grrrls Controversy and Lyric Change
Two months following the release of About That Damn Time, Lizzo dropped her album’s second track Grrrls, which earned controversy for using the word “spaz” in the lyrics.
The song begins with “Hold my bag, b*tch / Hold my bag / Do you see this sh*t? / I’mma spaz,” which prompted backlash from disability advocates, who view the term “spaz” as an offensive and derogatory ableist slur to the disability community.
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“I’m disappointed in @lizzo for using the word “spaz” in her new song ‘Grrrls.’ There’s no excuse for using an ableist insult in a song in 2022. As someone who champions women, plus size people and others whom society treats poorly, Lizzo preaches inclusivity and should do better,” one wrote.
Another said, “@lizzo please re-release “grrrls” without the ableist slut. That word is not kind to disabled people. Your music is global and you have a voice folks listen to. We are trusting and asking you to release it without the slur,” said another.
Following the criticisms, the singer issued a statement saying she “never want[ed] to promote derogatory language.”
She also announced that she has released a new version of the song, changing the lyrics from “I’mma spaz” to “hold me back.”
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