What really happened to Lizzo’s career?
What really happened to Lizzo s career – Following the release of her fifth studio album in early June 2026, Lizzo has seen her momentum slow. The Grammy-winning artist, known for hits like “Truth Hurts” and “About Damn Time,” now faces a stark contrast in reception. Reports indicate the album, titled “Bitch,” streamed below a million times on Spotify within its first 24 hours and sold less than 3,000 copies in its initial week, as noted by Rolling Stone. It also failed to enter the Billboard 200 during the first two weeks of availability, marking a significant downturn.
The Rise and Fall of a Pop Icon
Lizzo’s career has been a story of resilience and cultural impact. Her unapologetic celebration of self-love and body positivity, paired with catchy anthems, made her a household name. Yet, the latest album has sparked questions about her current standing. In a TikTok post on May 12, she addressed the disconnect between her public presence and the album’s reception. “The way social media algorithms prioritize content is reshaping the music industry landscape,” she argued, highlighting how delayed information might prevent fans from engaging with new releases.
“If your algorithm is super serving you things out of order of when they’re happening, then the general public has no idea when music is actually coming out.” – Lizzo
A Lawsuit That Shook Her Image
In 2023, three dancers—Noelle Rodriguez, Arianna Davis, and Crystal Williams—filed a lawsuit against Lizzo and her production company, Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc. (BGBT). The suit accused the singer of creating a hostile work environment, including sexual harassment and body shaming. Rodriguez, one of the claimants, emphasized the group’s intent. “It was never our intention to take down a woman of color,” she stated. “It was never an intention to take down a plus size woman of color specifically.”
Speaking to CNN exclusively, the trio shared mixed feelings about the legal battle. While they expressed disappointment and trauma from their alleged experiences, they also remained committed to their case. Rodriguez admitted the lawsuit’s aftermath had unintended consequences. “I don’t really think it’s our place to discuss or even have an opinion on how her career is going at this point,” she said. “In retrospect, I’ve actually had some sadness in the fact that it has impacted her career.”
Defenders and Doubts
Lizzo’s legal team, including attorney Melissa Glass, dismissed the claims as unfounded. “Not a single witness has come forward to support their allegations,” Glass stated in a public statement. “In fact, their claims were refuted by 18 witnesses, including most of the other dancers on ‘The Special Tour.’” She added, “we are confident that Lizzo will prevail in the case.”
Chawnta’ Van, a dancer who worked with Lizzo since 2019, echoed similar sentiments. “I felt blindsided and heartbroken by the allegations,” she told CNN. “I thought everyone on the tour were all in this together, but apparently not.” Van described how the lawsuit disrupted future performances, forcing dancers to deal with financial uncertainty. “As a dancer, we’re the lowest paid. We work gig by gig, literally,” she explained, connecting the legal fallout to the industry’s structure.
