American rapper-singer Lizzo | Image: Instagram/@lizzobeeating
American rapper and singer Lizzo, whose real name is Melissa Viviane Jefferson, has seemingly exited the entertainment industry as she declared in her recent post that she was “quitting” after facing a series of “bad behavior” allegations last year.
On Friday, March 29, Lizzo penned an emotional statement on Instagram, saying she was “tired” of the treatment she was receiving amid her desire to create music.
“I’m getting tired of putting up with being dragged by everyone in my life and on the internet. All I want is to make music and make people happy and help the world be a little better than how I found it. But I’m starting to feel like the world doesn’t want me in it,” she wrote.
The “Good as Hell” singer remarked that she was deeply affected by the criticism, including comments on her appearance.
“I’m constantly up against lies being told about me for clout & views, being the butt of the joke every single time because of how I look… my character being picked apart by people who don’t know me and disrespecting my name,” Lizzo continued.
“I didn’t sign up for this sh*t; I QUIT,” the “Truth Hurts” artist concluded.
In August 2023, Lizzo was sued by her three former backup dancers for allegedly creating an “abusive work environment” and weight-shaming them. This claim was supported by filmmaker Sophia Nahli Allison, who released a statement at the time, saying “she witnessed how arrogant, self-centered, and unkind the rapper is.”
The following month of the same year, clothing designer Asha Daniels filed another lawsuit against Lizzo, accusing the rapper of further inappropriate behavior, including sexual and racial harassment, disability discrimination, assault, drug use and illegal retaliatory termination.
At the time, the singer addressed the allegations, saying that it had been “gut wrenchingly difficult and overwhelmingly disappointing” to have her “character be criticized” and her “work ethic, morals, and respectfulness questioned.”
“Sometimes I have to make hard decisions, but it’s never my intention to make anyone feel uncomfortable or like they aren’t valued as an important part of the team,” she said, adding that the accusations were “sensationalized stories.”