2 weeks Ago By Kaitlin Simpson
Lizzo has come a long way since the start of her music career.Lizzo (real name Melissa Jefferson) dropped her first album Lizzobangers in 2013, though she didn’t achieve mainstream success until her 2019 hit record Cuz I Love You. The album featured her hit singles “Juice,” “Good as Hell” and “Truth Hurts.
” After the release of Cuz I Love You, Lizzo went on to earn multiple Grammy awards.As Lizzo found fame, she experienced a lot of highs and lows. In 2023, she was sued by several of her backup dancers for sexual harassment.
Lizzo denied the allegations and took a hiatus from music.In 2025, Lizzo made her return to the limelight. While celebrating the new year, the singer — who has used her platform to promote body positivity — opened up about her weight loss journey.
Lizzo revealed that she had achieved her goal after two years of putting in the work.“I haven’t seen this number since 2014!” she wrote via Instagram. “Let this be a reminder you can do anything you put your mind to.
Time for new goals!”Keep scrolling to look back on Lizzo throughout the years:Erika Goldring/FilmMagic2014As Lizzo got her start in the music scene, she performed at SXSW with Paul Janeway from the soul band St. Paul and The Broken Bones.Larry Marano/Getty Images2015Lizzo continued her musical festival tour as she took the stage at the Sunfest music festival in Florida.
She also dropped her second album Big Grrrl Small World. Dale Berman/Getty Images for MTV2016In addition to releasing her first EP Coconut Oil, Lizzo was one of the hosts on MTV's series Wonderland. Johnny Nunez/Getty Images2017Lizzo returned to SXSW to perform solo.
STEVEN FERDMAN/AFP via Getty Images2018The musician continued to hustle as she toured with Haim and Florence and the Machine. Lizzo was also a guest judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race season 10. Taylor Hill/FilmMagic2019Lizzo had her breakout year after finding success with her album Cuz I Love You.
Following the release, she played at Coachella. Lizzo attended and performed at multiple awards shows as well, including the American Music Awards, BET Awards and VMAs. Alberto E.
Rodriguez/Getty Images2020The “Good as Hell” singer’s success continued as she won three Grammys for Best Pop Solo Performance, Best Traditional R&B Performance and Best Urban Contemporary Album. Kevin Winter/Getty Images2021Lizzo returned to the Grammys to present Best New Artist to Megan Thee Stallion. She also collaborated with Cardi B on the track “Rumors.
”Frazer Harrison/Getty Images2022The singer dropped her fourth album Special, which included “About Damn Time.” In addition to her musical success, Lizzo earned her first Emmy for her reality series, Lizzo's Watch Out for the Big Grrrls, which took home the award for Outstanding Competition Program.Kevin Winter/Getty Images2023Lizzo won Record of the Year at the Grammy for “About Damn Time.
” She was also featured on the Barbie soundtrack. That same year, several of Lizzo’s backup dancers filed a lawsuit accusing the singer, her production company and dance captain Shirlene Quigley of sexual, religious, and racial harassment, disability discrimination, assault, false imprisonment, creating a hostile work environment and weight-shaming. Lizzo denied the allegations.
“These sensationalized stories are coming from former employees who have already publicly admitted that they were told their behavior on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional,” she said in a statement. “As an artist, I have always been very passionate about what I do. I take my music and my performances seriously because at the end of the day, I only want to put out the best art that represents me and my fans.
”Amid her legal trouble, Lizzo seemingly declared she was quitting her music career. Lizzo was later dismissed from the lawsuit filed by three former dancers. However, the case against her touring company remains ongoing.
Cindy Ord/MG24/Getty Images2024After taking some time away from the limelight, Lizzo stepped out for the Met Gala. Lionel Hahn/Getty Images2025After making headlines of speculated Ozempic use, Lizzo took to social media to get candid about her weight loss journey. “I did it.
Today when I stepped on my scale, I reached my weight release goal,” she wrote via Instagram in January 2025. “I haven’t seen this number since 2014! Let this be a reminder you can do anything you put your mind to. Time for new goals!”In addition to focusing on her health, Lizzo announced she will be releasing her new album, Love in Real Life, later that year.
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