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Lizzo criticizes ‘Ozempic boom,’ says it’s causing society to erase plus-size bodies


Lizzo performing at Amsterdam.
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Lizzo, wearing custom quine li.

Lizzo speaks out publicly

Lizzo recently wrote an essay titled “Why is everybody losing weight and what do we do? Sincerely, a person who’s lost weight,” where she openly criticized what she described as the growing “Ozempic boom.”

In her piece, she argued that the rapid rise of weight-loss drugs is not just changing individual bodies but is reshaping cultural expectations. She explained that this shift is pushing society back toward a more traditional, smaller ideal of what is considered attractive.

Tv studio video camera.

Plus-size women “erased” from media

In her essay, Lizzo wrote that plus-size women and models are increasingly “being erased,” saying their visibility in media and fashion has sharply declined. She noted that many brands have “magically erased” extended sizes from their websites, reversing years of progress.

Lizzo also pointed out that modeling opportunities for plus-size bodies are “no longer getting booked,” describing a noticeable drop in representation across campaigns and runway work.

Lizzo performing at Amsterdam.

She still identifies as plus-size

Despite losing weight, Lizzo affirmed that she remains a “proud big girl” and made it clear that her size has not changed how she sees herself. She said she still wears plus-size clothing and that her body does not suddenly fit into a different category just because her weight has shifted.

Lizzo stressed that her weight loss did not erase her identity, her history, or the community she represents. She emphasized that her worth and her talent should never be overshadowed by her size or any changes in it, insisting that her artistry stands on its own regardless of how her body looks.

Lizzo performs live at NBC Days Citi summer concert series.

She remains proud big-body icon

Despite her weight changes, Lizzo continues to describe herself as a “proud big girl,” making it clear that her sense of self has not disappeared with the shift in her body.

Lizzo emphasized that her identity, her confidence, and her sense of worth have never been determined by numbers on a scale. She affirmed that no one’s value should be defined by size or by the shifting beauty standards society tries to impose.

The man who measures a waist with a measure.

Weight loss followed dark 2023 period

Lizzo revealed her recent weight loss began after she hit a difficult emotional low in late 2023. She said she experienced depression and suicidal thoughts following personal and professional stress.

That triggered lifestyle changes, including therapy and Pilates, part of what she described as a healing journey rather than a beauty fad.

Lizzo

She tried Ozempic but quit later

In her essay and interviews, Lizzo admitted that she briefly tried Ozempic, a GLP-1 weight-loss medication, during her transformation. She explained that the experience was short-lived and that she ultimately chose not to continue using it.

Lizzo clarified that she no longer relies on the drug and does not credit it for the changes in her body or health. Instead, she said her progress comes from consistent healthy eating, structured fitness routines, and a renewed focus on mental-health care.

Lizzo's performance on Paradiso Noord 2019.

She stresses body-positivity evolution needed

Lizzo argued that what originally began as a movement for genuine body acceptance now risks being reduced to a trend focused primarily on weight change, rather than on self-love or inclusivity.

She warned that this shift undermines the movement’s original goals, eroding the visibility and representation of plus-size bodies in media and culture.

Word Criticism written with wooden blocks

She criticizes shrinking fashion sizes

According to Lizzo, many fashion retailers have quietly scaled back or entirely removed extended sizes from their clothing lines, making it harder for plus-size consumers to find options that fit.

She explained that this trend reflects a cultural shift in which slimmer body types are increasingly treated as the dominant ideal of beauty and style. Lizzo sees this change as a practical effect of the growing “boom” in weight-loss drugs.

A fashion show.

Modeling chances drop for plus sizes

Lizzo highlighted that plus-size models are experiencing a clear decline in job offers, brand partnerships, and overall public visibility. She emphasized that this reduction in opportunities is not the result of personal shortcomings.

According to Lizzo, the trend represents a form of erasure disguised as transformation, where the industry and society appear to celebrate change. She warned that this pattern sends a harmful message to audiences about which bodies are deemed acceptable or worthy of attention.

Measuring weight

Weight change didn’t erase her identity

Though her appearance has changed, Lizzo insists that her core identity, talent, and sense of self-respect remain unchanged. She rejects the notion that losing weight or altering one’s body somehow diminishes who she is as a person.

Lizzo cautions against a societal mindset that celebrates only transformed or smaller bodies while sidelining the natural diversity of shapes and sizes. She emphasizes that true value lies in embracing all bodies, and that reducing size should never be equated with personal growth.

Lizzo performing at Amsterdam, Netherlands.

She calls for honest public discourse

Lizzo urged that discussions around weight, health, body image, and personal identity be approached with honesty and nuance, recognizing the complexity of these issues rather than promoting a single, narrow ideal.

She stressed that it is especially important now, as the widespread use of weight-loss drugs and quick-fix solutions is reshaping cultural standards and expectations. According to her, society risks valuing only rapid transformations over authentic self-acceptance and diversity.

A camera.

Rejects fat-shaming stigma publicly

She shared that for many years, her artistic talent and achievements were often overshadowed by public attention on her body size rather than her music or performance. Her message serves as a call for society to look beyond appearance and honor people for who they truly are.

Lizzo criticized the stigma and stereotypes that society attaches to larger bodies, highlighting how these biases can limit opportunities and distort perception. She insisted that respect, recognition, and professional opportunities should never depend on a person’s size.

Lizzo performing in Amsterdam. Netherlands.

She links culture to systemic change

Lizzo argued that the so-called “Ozempic boom” is more than a matter of individual weight loss or personal transformation; it signals a broader societal shift in which slimmer bodies are increasingly treated as the standard of acceptance and desirability.

She cautioned that if this trend continues unchecked, it could undo years of progress toward authentic representation, inclusivity, and body-diversity acceptance across media, fashion, and culture.

Lizzo’s latest praise shows how her message resonates across cultures, from pop hits to K-pop milestones.

Lizzo, wearing Robert Wun, arrives at the 11th annual Breakthrough.

Her message resonates culturally

By speaking out, Lizzo has reignited public conversation about body image, the culture surrounding weight loss, and representation in media and fashion. Her stance challenges prevailing norms that often prioritize slimness and quick transformations over diversity and authenticity.

She urges society to consider how rapidly changing beauty standards affect real people, particularly those whose bodies do not conform to narrow ideals. Through her advocacy, Lizzo calls for a renewed commitment to acceptance, respect, and dignity for all body types.

Lizzo’s collaboration with Kelly Clarkson on “Still Bad” isn’t just a musical moment; it’s a continuation of her message that resonates culturally, showing how she blends empowerment with mainstream appeal.

What do you think about Lizzo’s essay and her thoughts on body image and the ‘Ozempic boom’? Share your perspective in the comments. We’d love to hear your feedback!

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