‘I Was Politicized Because of the Things That I Wore’

It goes without saying at this point that Lizzo is the queen of breaking down doors and boundaries. Her breakout single “Truth Hurts” became the longest-running solo female rap song to remain in the number 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 last year. Her music itself refuses to be defined: she’s earned Grammy awards (along with other honors like BET Awards and Soul Train Music Awards) in a variety of categories, including pop and R&B.

Lizzo just made fashion history

Besides her talents as an artist, Lizzo has become known for her fashion statements over the last year as well. She’s worn looks by Valentino and Marc Jacobs on the red carpet, and often been the talk of the town just based on what she wore. She’s also become a brand ambassador for companies like Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty lingerie line, and even appeared in the 2020 Savage X Fenty show.

Lizzo is known for being many “firsts,” and she just added another one to her list. She’s the cover star for the October 2020 issue of Vogue magazine, and she talked about what it meant to her in an Instagram post.

“I am the first big Black woman on the cover of Vogue magazine,” she said. “The first Black anything feels overdue. But our time has come. To all my Black girls, if someone like you hasn’t done it yet — BE THE FIRST.”

She also posted an excerpt from her Vogue cover story where she discussed the body positivity movement and what she thinks about herself living loud and proud.

“I think it’s lazy for me to just say I’m body positive at this point. It’s easy. I would like to be body-normative. I want to normalize my body. And not just be like, ‘Ooh, look at this cool movement. Being fat is body positive.’ No, being fat is normal,” she said. “I think now, I owe it to the people who started this to not just stop here. We have to make people uncomfortable again, so that we can continue to change. Change is always uncomfortable, right?”

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Lizzo believes her fashion is a form of political activism

Lizzo has always been one to use her voice to encourage her fans to get involved with the political process. She’s also said in the past that she views music as a form of activism.

In a video interview with Vogue after her cover shoot, Lizzo was asked if she views fashion as a form of activism as well. “Absolutely,” she replied. “I think that I was politicized because of the things that I wore. Being a big Black woman wearing what I wore onstage was instantly political, and it made a statement. And I’m grateful for that.”

“It was annoying at first,” she adds, “but I’m so grateful to be a part of moving the conversation in fashion forward for bigger bodies and for Black women.”