On Saturday Night Live this weekend, Lizzo knocked viewers out with her dynamic performance. She performed tracks from her still on the way album, Love in Real Life. The award-winning singer-songwriter served up an engrossing performance of her recent favorites like “Love in Real Life” and “Still Bad.” This performance was her glorious debut on the legendary stage for this album. She comes with a phenomenal pedigree when it comes to SNL. In the past, she has appeared onstage as both a musical guest and a host.
Lizzo, born Melissa Jefferson, burst onto the scene with her first album, Lizzobangers, in 2013. Since then, she’s become an international idol, winning fans across the globe. In 2015, she further cemented her status with Big Grrrl Small World. By 2019, she was an international icon, as she secured a Grammy nomination with her album release of Cuz I Love You. Her latest album, Special, released in 2022, further established her as one of the brightest stars in today’s music.
During her latest SNL performance, Lizzo wore a cropped T-shirt emblazoned with the word “TARRIFIED,” which appeared to be a playful jab at the administration of former President Donald Trump. It was a decidedly bold fashion choice, just as dynamic as her lively, spirited delivery, which made it all the more impactful to the audience. This artistic ability to weave activism into her artistry is the Lizzo spell that inspires us all.
Lizzo’s new EP just came out yesterday, featuring her new song “Pink.” This earworm appeared on Barbie the Album, the soundtrack for the 2023 movie Barbie. This track deepens her versatility as an artist and her commitment to artistically exploring various sonic worlds.
This isn’t Lizzo’s first turn on SNL—she performed in December of 2019 and again in December of 2022. She similarly made news during an April 2022 episode when she was both the host and musical guest. The April 12 episode was another win for her, as she rides the wave of bringing new fans to her music with live performance.
Just three months later, in February 2024, Lizzo was hit hard on the legal front when three of her former backup dancers filed a lawsuit against her. She tried to have the case thrown out but was unsuccessful. Since the legal storm, Lizzo explained why she has been out of the public eye. She said that it wasn’t related to the lawsuit, rather this was an important step for her mental health. She spoke about the need to “protect my peace.”
Lizzo is at the cusp of releasing her fifth studio album, Love in Real Life. We can’t wait to see what other surprises she has up her sleeve, fans! The artist’s journey has been marked by resilience and creativity, establishing her as a voice of empowerment in today’s music industry.