Lizzo addresses recent 20-pound weight gain in interview

Lizzo addresses recent 20-pound weight gain in a candid Guardian interview published Saturday, confirming she has gained 20 pounds since last year. The Grammy-winning singer hit back at what she called a relentless system of oppression that pressures women in the spotlight to feel bad about their bodies.

Key Takeaways

• Lizzo told the Guardian she has gained 20 pounds since last year and invited questions about weight gain alongside her prior weight loss.
• She criticized an unrelenting system of oppression targeting women, especially those in the spotlight, to buy products and internalize harmful lies.
• Lizzo, 38, previously unveiled a dramatic weight loss transformation in January 2025 after joint pain motivated lifestyle changes.
• She stressed that multiple truths can coexist about her body, rejecting single-headline narratives about her appearance.
• In August 2025, she told Women's Health that body positivity means daring to exist proudly, not staying the same size.

Why did Lizzo speak out about her weight gain now?

Lizzo shared an update on her weight journey in a candid new interview, lashing out at the pressure the system puts on women. Speaking to the Guardian in a profile published Saturday, the "Truth Hurts" singer said, "I've gained 20 pounds since last year, so everyone can ask me about weight gain, too, if they'd like."

Her comments addressed questions about her weight loss over the past year and a half. Lizzo made clear she is done with one-note headlines about her body. "People always want to make it one single headline, one single thing," she said. "A lot of things can be true at once."

What did Lizzo say about the 'system of oppression'?

Beyond the scale, Lizzo criticized societal pressure on women regarding physical appearance. "There's a system of oppression that is constantly putting pressure on, especially women and especially women in the spotlight," the Grammy-winning musician said, calling it "unrelenting" and "determined to make you feel s–t about yourself."

She added that it "won't stop until you've bought every product and you've bought into every lie and turned it in on yourself. That system is working at an all-time high right now." The Sports Illustrated swimsuit show performer framed the scrutiny as an industry-wide force, not a personal failing.

How has Lizzo's weight journey changed since 2025?

Lizzo, 38, unveiled her weight loss transformation in January 2025, sharing that she'd reached a number on her scale that she hadn't seen since 2014. She told the Guardian she was "in a place where my physical weight was causing joint pain and aches," and that stepping back from the internet helped her refocus.

"I also got to the point where I came off the internet, and all I had was the studio and my thoughts, so I poured myself into the things I could control," she added. "My body, my lifestyle, my routines and habits … and this is who I am today." When asked about her motivation for dramatic weight loss, she said there are "a lot of reasons."

Since 2025, Lizzo has been candid about her weight journey, regularly sharing updates with fans and appearing at high-profile events. For more on stars speaking out about body image, see our Celebrity Breaking News coverage.

What has Lizzo said about body positivity before?

The singer has been candid about her weight loss journey in previous interviews. In August 2025, she shared a positive message with Women's Health. "I like how I look now. I still think I'm big. I'm still wearing plus-size clothing. I have the same rolls. I got the same belly, the same thighs — I think I'm just a smaller version," she said.

"Body positivity has nothing to do with staying the same," she added. "Body positivity is the radical act of daring to exist loudly and proudly in a society that told you you shouldn't exist." Read the full Guardian profile for Lizzo's complete remarks on weight, fame, and self-image.