Lizzo returned to the stage Wednesday with her first solo concert since the 2023 media frenzy surrounding a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by three of her backup dancers. Opening up about the experience to the crowd at Los Angeles’ The Wiltern, the Grammy winner shared that she went through a period where she “didn’t want to live anymore” — and revealed the “life-saving” moment that pulled her out of that depression.
The impromptu speech was captured in a now-viral TikTok video, which further shows the singer crediting the love and support of her fans from bouncing her back from such darkness.
“About a year and a half ago, I was in such a dark depression. I was so heartbroken … that I didn’t want to live anymore,” Lizzo said.
Watch the full video below:
@kimbernotkimberly_ In an epic return to the stage at The Wiltern in LA, @Lizzo shared a message to those battling with depression: “reach out”. Out girl is back🫶🏾 #lizzochallenge #loveinrealife #lizzoinreallife #lizzo ♬ original sound – Kimber Rose
In 2023, three former dancers with the singer sued her, alleging that Lizzo subjected them to sexual, religious and racial harassment, as well as weight shaming and a hostile work environment. In December, some of the allegations including harassment, were dismissed, but a judge ruled that the case can still go to trial.
“I was deeply afraid of people and I didn’t want to be seen. Eventually, I got over that fear and I went to a concert. And as I was walking through the crowd, something miraculous happened. Somebody I didn’t know looked at me and said, ‘Lizzo, I love you.’ And we hugged and it felt so damn good. And then it was 10 people and then it was 100 people and then it was 1,000 people then it was 10,000 people showering me with love and support.”
She continued, “It was f–king life-saving.” She added, “After that experience, I was like, ‘Damn, you can’t get this kind of s–t on the Internet, bro,” she said as the crowd laughed. “This is the kind of love you can only get in real life.”
Lizzo explained that she wasn’t sharing the story to gain more sympathy, joking, “We beyond that. Look at me, bitch! Ha!” But she emphasized she wanted to share her story for anyone else going through a depression of their own.
“It’s a universal feeling and I know I sound like a broken record, but I say it all the time: Reach out. I say it because it’s so f–king hard to do,” she said.
Lizzo then obliquely referenced the economic crisis under the second Trump administration: “If you mad about the government, reach out to someone else who’s mad about the government.”
In December, Lizzo told Keke Palmer she was “blindsided” by the allegations: “I was literally living in my dream, and then the tour ended, and three ex-dancers just completely blindsided me with a lawsuit.” She added, “Let’s be clear, I did nothing wrong.”
