Beyoncé’s Show of Support for Lizzo
In a period he has described as “tremendously difficult and extremely disappointing,” Lizzo has received what appears to be a show of support from Beyoncé in the form of a public shout-out on stage. When news of the lawsuit emerged earlier this month, other people who had worked with Lizzo, such as former creative director Quinn Wilson, voiced their support for the dancers bringing the case, claiming it matched their experiences with the singer. Other reactions, though more indirect, still seemed unfavourable: in her rendition of ‘Break My Soul (The Queens Remix)’, for example, Beyoncé appeared to have changed a verse in which she usually names and praises Lizzo. Normally, the singer includes a verse that names “Betty Davis, Solange Knowles/ Badu, Lizzo, Kelly Rowl”. At the end of June, Lizzo posted an Instagram video of herself crying while Bey performed the song, accompanied by a caption in which she called the tribute an “honour”. “In that moment I was thinking of me as a little girl, when I listened to Destiny’s Child’s Happy Face and I cried myself to sleep because of the bullies,” she wrote in the caption.
Beyoncé’s Changed Verse
After the case became public knowledge, however, various videos appeared to show that the song repeated the name “Badu” instead of naming Lizzo in the list of famous black women as usual. When some fans pointed out the change, Beyoncé’s mother Tina Knowles came to her daughter’s defence, commenting on Instagram: “She didn’t even mention her sister… y’all need to cut it out.” But by Monday, Lizzo was back in the song—and in a big way.
Lizzo’s Emotional Response
On Monday night, during the Renaissance Tour stop in Atlanta, Bey shouted: “Lizzo! I love you, Lizzo!” during the song. This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from. Since posting a lengthy response note to the case at the beginning of August, Lizzo has remained radio silent on her social platforms.
