Lizzo, whose real name is Melissa Viviane Jefferson, is a multi-talented American rapper, singer, songwriter, actress, and musician. She was born in Detroit, Michigan, and later relocated to Houston, Texas, along with her family at the age of ten.
Bio/Wiki
Age-35years
Height- 5 feet 10 inches tall
Weight- 308 pounds or 140kg
Born- 27 April 1988
Birthplace- Detroit, Michigan, United States
Full name-Melissa Viviane Jefferson
Profession-Actress, Singer, Songwriter
Spouse- Myke Wright
Nationality-American
Genre- Pop music, Hip hop music, Soul music, Contemporary R&B, Alternative hip hop, Pop
Family
Lizzo’s parents are Michael Jefferson and Shari Johnson-Jefferson. Unfortunately, her father, born on September 29th, 1953, passed away on March 17, 2009, at the age of 55. After the loss of her father, Lizzo made the decision to leave college. On the other hand, her mother, Shari Johnson-Jefferson, is an entrepreneur. As of December 9th, 2022, this information remains current.
Boyfriend
Lizzo recently revealed that she and Myke Wright have a strong and committed relationship. In an interview with Vanity Fair, she stated, “We’re just in love. And that’s it. People often advocate for monogamy like it’s a daily prayer, but I personally am not polyamorous. I’m deeply in love with one partner.”
Career
During the years 2011 to 2015, Lizzo began her career in Minneapolis and performed with various groups, including Lizzo & the Larva Ink and the Chalice, a three-piece all-female rap/R&B group. In 2012, the Chalice released their debut album, “We Are the Chalice,” gaining local success. Lizzo was also part of the hip-hop group Grrrl Prty, which disbanded in 2016 after releasing two EPs.
Her hip-hop-focused debut album, “Lizzobangers,” produced by Lazerbeak and Ryan Olson, was released on October 15, 2013, receiving positive reviews. She toured the US and UK and gained recognition, winning awards and being named one of the artists to watch in 2014 by Time magazine. Later, the album was re-released through Virgin Records. In 2015, she released her second studio album, “Big Grrrl Small World,” which was praised for its versatility and vocal abilities.
In 2016, Lizzo appeared as a host on MTV’s music performance series Wonderland and signed with Atlantic Records. She released her first major-label EP, “Coconut Oil,” showcasing themes of body positivity and self-love. The EP received critical acclaim and charted on the Billboard 200.
In 2019, Lizzo ventured into acting and released her third studio album, “Cuz I Love You,” which marked a turning point in her career. The album achieved commercial success and gained attention after her single “Truth Hurts” went viral on TikTok. “Truth Hurts” became her first number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100, and the album was certified gold.
In 2020, Lizzo signed a production deal with Amazon Studios and announced her fourth album, “Special,” set for release in July 2022. She continued to receive critical acclaim and success, earning several Grammy nominations and winning “Record of the Year” for “About Damn Time” at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards. Additionally, Lizzo collaborated with SZA and was involved in co-writing and producing songs for SZA’s second album, SOS.
On August 2, 2021, Lizzo announced the beginning of a new era with the release of the song “Rumors” on August 13, 2021. In an interview with Variety, she teased that her upcoming album would be a love album and described it as one of her most musically badass, daring, and sophisticated works to date. Although the album was expected to be released in late 2022, Lizzo revealed that it was still a work in progress at the time of the interview.
On March 23, 2022, Lizzo announced the release of her single “About Damn Time” on April 14. After the song’s release, she unveiled the title of her fourth album, “Special,” and confirmed the release date as July 15. Lizzo also made a memorable appearance on Saturday Night Live on April 16, 2022, where she served as both host and musical guest.
On June 10, 2022, Lizzo released “Grrrls,” the first promotional single from her album “Special.” However, the song’s lyrics stirred some controversy due to the inclusion of the word “spaz.” Lizzo later addressed the issue and modified the line to “hold me back,” acknowledging the power of words and the hurtful impact they can have, especially for a fat black woman in America.
On July 15, 2022, Lizzo released her highly anticipated fourth studio album, “Special,” which received acclaim from music critics. The album’s release was accompanied by an immersive cosmic light show experience called “Lizzoverse,” held at New York City’s Cipriani 25 Broadway and livestreamed on Twitch. Following the album’s release, the single “About Damn Time” reached the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, holding that position for two weeks. In February 2022, the song earned Lizzo her first major Grammy win for “Record of the Year” at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards.
Lizzo’s involvement extended beyond her own music, as she contributed as a writer and producer on SZA’s critically acclaimed second album, SOS. She co-wrote the song “F2F” and collaborated with SZA on the remix of “Special,” the title track of SZA’s album.
Achievement/ Awards
- Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 2023 for “About Damn Time.”
- Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance in 2020 for “Truth Hurts.”
- Grammy Award for Best Progressive R&B Album in 2020 for “Cuz I Love You.”
- Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance in 2020.
- MTV Video Music Award for Best Video for “About Damn Time” in 2022.
- BET Hip Hop Award for Best Impact Track for “About Damn Time” in 2022.
- NAACP Image Award for Entertainer of the Year in 2020.
- People’s Choice Award for People’s Champion in 2022.
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Music Video for “Juice” in 2020.
- BET Award for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist in 2020.
- Soul Train Music Award for Best Dance Performance for “About Damn Time” in 2022.
- Danish Music Award for International Hit of the Year for “About Damn Time” in 2022.
- Soul Train Music Award for Album/Mixtape of the Year for “Cuz I Love You” in 2019.
- iHeartRadio Music Award for Song of the Year.
- People’s Choice Award for Favorite Song for “About Damn Time” in 2022.
- iHeartRadio Music Award for Best Cover Song for “Adore You” in 2021.
- iHeartRadio Music Award for Best New Pop Artist in 2020.
- Soul Train Music Award for Video of the Year for “Juice” in 2019.
- Billboard Music Award for Top Song Sales Artist in 2020.
Net Worth 2023
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Lizzo’s net worth in 2023 is estimated to be $40 million.
Sexual Harassment Allegations
According to a lawsuit filed on Tuesday, three of Lizzo’s tour dancers have accused the singer of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment, involving sexual, racial, and religious harassment. The incidents are said to have occurred between 2021 and 2023.
The lawsuit alleges that despite Lizzo’s public advocacy for body positivity and self-love, she criticized a dancer for recent weight gain and later fired her for recording a meeting. Additionally, Lizzo reportedly pressured one dancer to touch a nude performer at a club in Amsterdam and subjected several dancers to a grueling 12-hour audition, based on false accusations of drinking while working.
The lawsuit also includes allegations against Lizzo’s dance captain, Shirlene Quigley, who is accused of imposing her Christian beliefs on other performers and denigrating those who engaged in premarital sex. Quigley is further alleged to have engaged in inappropriate sexual discussions and behavior.
The plaintiffs in the case, dancers Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez, believe that Lizzo may have been aware of complaints against Quigley. The lawsuit names Lizzo, her production company (Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc), and Quigley as defendants and includes claims of sexual harassment, creation of a hostile work environment, false imprisonment, and interference with prospective economic advantage.
Representatives for Lizzo have not yet commented on the matter. The lawsuit details various incidents, including an incident at an Amsterdam club where Lizzo allegedly encouraged inappropriate behavior among cast members.
two of the dancers, Davis and Williams, began performing with Lizzo after participating in a dance competition show hosted by the singer for Amazon in 2021. Williams was later fired, while Davis and Rodriguez both experienced mistreatment before Davis was ultimately fired as well.
The lawsuit does not specify a monetary amount for damages but seeks compensation for emotional distress, lost wages, and attorney fees. Despite the ongoing legal issue, Lizzo has been touring extensively in 2023, with shows in North America, Europe, Oceania, and Asia.