Lizzo Says She Was “Deeply Suicidal” at Start of Weight Loss Journey

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Content warning: This story discusses suicidal ideation.

Lizzo is speaking out about a dark time.

Let me tell you, going through that lawsuit with my former dancers was incredibly tough, and it really took a toll on my mental health. It was a turning point, though. Honestly, it pushed me to prioritize my well-being and really focus on getting healthy – both mentally and physically. That’s where my health and fitness journey truly began, and it’s been a game-changer ever since.

Lizzo, 37, shared in a November 23rd post that she began losing weight in the fall of 2023 while struggling with severe depression. She explained this difficult time followed a harsh public scandal that made her feel isolated and led to suicidal thoughts.

I completely isolated myself from everyone I cared about. I just couldn’t trust anyone after the scandal broke. People I used to consider friends – even just acquaintances – started spreading false stories about me, and I have no idea why. It felt like they were deliberately trying to make things worse when I was already at my lowest point.

After facing criticism during and following her lawsuit – which was dismissed in 2024 – she felt intensely isolated and angry. She usually coped with these feelings through unhealthy eating, but eventually decided to try a different, more positive approach.

The Grammy winner explained that they simply didn’t feel motivated to take care of themselves this time. It wasn’t about weight loss, but a genuine lack of concern for their own well-being. They admitted to letting themselves go, even feeling unsafe, and described it as a period of self-neglect, which was difficult to witness given their lifelong advocacy for self-love. Ultimately, this led them to decide to actively change things and start taking action.

Lizzo revealed that starting Pilates was the beginning of an emotional process for her, helping her understand she was carrying more than just physical weight.

She realized, after speaking with therapists, that her weight had served as a form of protection and comfort. It was something she leaned on, almost like a superhero costume, to get through life. She felt her weight, like her hair, symbolized the passage of time and held onto energy she was ready to let go of.

As a lifestyle expert, I often see people carrying around emotional baggage, and this woman’s story really resonated with me. She realized she needed a change, a deep release. For years – since losing her father in 2009, navigating harmful relationships starting in 2011, and shouldering the responsibility for her family since 2016 – she’d been holding onto so much pain. Ultimately, she just wanted to let it all go, to finally free herself from that weight.

Lizzo has been on a journey of self-improvement, but she continues to prioritize her own well-being and passionately support plus-size women, especially as conversations around body positivity are changing.

She noticed a troubling trend halfway through the 2020s: online stores were removing plus-size options, plus-size models were finding fewer jobs, and it seemed like the industry was pushing for a smaller standard of beauty. Despite this, she proudly identifies as a plus-size woman – objectively over 200 pounds – and emphasizes her unwavering self-love regardless of her weight.

Lizzo has said she’s willing to work on rebuilding trust within the community she’s long supported and is hopeful about continuing to improve in the future.

She acknowledged she needs to rebuild trust with her supporters, saying she’s committed to doing the work necessary to earn it back.

For on Lizzo’s weight loss journeys, keep reading….

 

Lizzo has shared that she’s been in on “intentional weight release journey” since 2023.

That year, she was also sued by some of her ex-backup dancers. They claimed she fostered a harsh and demeaning workplace, and that she criticized their bodies, but she strongly refuted these claims.

She shared on Instagram that pursuing her passions requires dedication and striving for excellence. She also explained that while she sometimes has to make difficult choices, her goal is always to ensure everyone on her team feels respected and appreciated.

She shared that she understands the pain of being judged for your body, and emphasized that she would never fire or criticize someone at work because of their weight.

While not actively working on an album, Lizzo announced in August 2024 that she was taking a break to focus on her well-being, calling it a “gap year & protecting my peace.”

Lizzo admittedly has her ups and downs when it comes to her body.

She admitted to The New York Times in April 2024 that she doesn’t always feel great about her body. ‘It really varies day to day,’ she explained. ‘Some days I love it, and other days I don’t feel so confident.’

On September 18, 2024, Lizzo shared a before-and-after video on TikTok. It showed her initially wearing a black two-piece outfit, then transitioning to a gray bodysuit.

As she captioned the clip, “Fine both ways.”

Lizzo jokingly responded to rumors about using Ozempic on Instagram, saying it happened after she’d already been working out for five months and eating fewer calories.

The Grammy-winning artist was spotted having lunch at Nobu on September 27th. She wore a see-through black and white dress by Jean Paul Gaultier layered over a black bodysuit, completed with a leather trench coat casually draped over her shoulders, large silver hoop earrings, and black sunglasses.

Oh my gosh, she was SO real in her latest TikTok! She admitted she totally overdid it on food yesterday and was feeling awful, but then she gave herself this amazing pep talk. She was like, ‘I need to remember my body needed that, it was nourishment!’ And the best part? She said if her body deserves comfort, her brain deserves it too. It was just… everything. I’m seriously so proud of her for being so open and kind to herself!

The singer has been sharing workout motivation on TikTok, including a recent post detailing her strategies for staying focused during exercise.

While working out on the Stairmaster, I challenged myself with a higher intensity than usual,” the celebrity shared in October 2024. “I realized I was pushing too hard and had to slow down to finish. It’s a good reminder that when you feel like quitting, it’s often because you need to ease up and be kinder to yourself.”

Lizzo announced on Instagram on January 25, 2025, that she’s reached a personal weight goal she’s been working towards. She said it’s the lowest her weight has been since 2014 and encouraged others to believe they can achieve anything they set their minds to, adding that she’s already looking forward to setting new goals.

Lizzo looked hella good in Christian Siriano at the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party March 2.

Back in action as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live April 12, 2025.

On July 3, 2025, Lizzo posted a comparison showing the results of her first lymphatic massage with Flavia Lanini and how her body looked after more recent sessions.

She attributes her improved health to a combination of treatments and lifestyle changes. These included a specialized treatment to reduce swelling by encouraging fluid drainage, along with wood therapy, regular exercise (three times a week), activities like pickleball and dancing, staying hydrated, reducing sugar intake, increasing protein consumption, monthly detoxes, and other positive adjustments.

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2025-11-24 19:53