Lizzo's recent weight loss transformation has ignited controversy among fans and industry insiders, with some questioning whether her decision contradicts her long-standing advocacy for body positivity. The 36-year-old singer, known for championing self-love and embracing diverse body types, made a striking appearance at Vanity Fair's Oscars party on Sunday, donning a form-fitting black gown that showcased her noticeably slimmer figure.
Her appearance has fueled speculation that she may have used Ozempic, a diabetes medication widely adopted by celebrities for weight loss, though Lizzo has vehemently denied such claims. "When you finally get Ozempic allegations after 5 months of weight training and calorie deficit," she wrote in an Instagram post last year, insisting her transformation is the result of rigorous workouts and a high-protein, vegetable-based diet.
Despite her assurances, some fans and sources close to the singer remain skeptical. "Lizzo has lost a significant amount of weight, and it's causing concern among those close to her," a source told Daily Mail. "She built her brand around the message that bigger is beautiful and was so outspoken about it."
Social media reactions have been divided. While some have celebrated Lizzo's transformation as a personal choice, others argue that her shift undermines the core of the body positivity movement she once championed. "Big is beautiful but it's not healthy," one user wrote. "Anyone saying she's ditched her branding is wrong-whatever way she lost weight, she has added years to her life and I'm sure she feels great too."
Lizzo lastnight at the Vanity Fair #Oscars afterparty pic.twitter.com/qTppu1Z0IO — Glock Topickz (@Glock_Topickz) March 3, 2025
The backlash comes as Lizzo continues to rebuild her public image following a series of lawsuits filed against her in 2023 by former dancers and staff. The plaintiffs accused the singer of fostering a toxic work environment, sexual harassment, and even fat-shaming-allegations that directly conflicted with her public persona as a champion for self-love. While one of the lawsuits was dismissed in December, Lizzo has vowed to continue fighting the remaining claims. "Let's be clear, I did nothing wrong," she said on the Baby, This Is Keke Palmer podcast in December.
Some insiders suggest that Lizzo's image overhaul, including her weight loss, may be an attempt to distance herself from the controversy. "She seems to be distancing herself from her previous image, especially after the allegations," a source said. "But people won't forget about it. There is no doubt it shook her reputation."
Lizzo has previously been vocal about her desire to redefine body positivity, emphasizing in a 2020 Vogue interview that she wants to be "body-normative" rather than labeled solely as a plus-size advocate. "I want to normalize my body," she said at the time, adding that she felt the movement had shifted away from including the women it was originally meant to represent.
Her latest public appearance also coincides with what she has called a "new era" in her career. Last month, she released Love In Real Life, her first new song in two years. The single marks a return to music following the legal battles that dominated much of her recent public image.
