Page 31 - AT

A31
PEOPLE & ARTS Saturday 15 February 2020
Lizzo talks diversity, self-confidence and femininity

By BERENICE BAUTISTA As-
sociated Press
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Fresh
from winning three Gram-
mys, singer Lizzo visited
Mexico City for a private
concert, surprising her fans
with acoustic versions of
her hits and a toast with te-
quila.
The star from Detroit, who
won best pop solo per-
formance ("Truth Hurts"),
best traditional R&B per-
formance ("Jerome"), and
best urban contemporary
album for "Cuz I Love You,"
at the January awards
show sat for an interview
with The Associated Press.
Lizzo spoke about diversity
in the music industry, self-
confidence and femininity
and the disputes over the
authorship of "Truth Hurts."
Answers have been edited
for brevity and clarity.
AP: Congratulations on
your Grammys. There was a
controversy about the lack
of diversity at the awards
this year. What would be an Recording artist Lizzo performs at the Pepsi Zero Sugar Super Bowl Party at Meridian on Island Gardens in Miami on Friday, Jan. 31,
ideal version of the Gram- 2020, in Miami, Fla.
mys for you? (Photo by Scott Roth/Invision/AP)
LIZZO: There's always a lack AP: I grew up watching pop to get there. It sounds so this still going on? internet or that came from
of diversity, that's the is- stars that were blonde, su- cliché, but life is your great- LIZZO: What it's done, is a tweet or came from a
sue in general. I don't think per skinny, that looked per- est teacher and you learn done. I was so happy to meme, but that person
it's like "the 2020 Grammys fect in every way. Then you the best lessons from life. I give up a piece of my song- who created it never got
lack diversity," it's like the come up and I'm grateful learned a lot in the last 10 writing credit to a woman credit and the songwriter
industry lacks diversity. So, for that. years about myself, about in London who tweeted 'I only gets credit. At the end
the world I would like to LIZZO: I'm perfect, sis! Take who I am. I also learned to took a DNA test, I'm 100% of the day, there's nothing
see, of course, has an even that back! I think that even love that person. that bitch,' like she tweeted new under the sun, but it
playfield: I think there are the blonde, thin pop stars, AP: Your song "Lingerie" it the same year that I wrote definitively taught me how
more women, more black they have imperfections, portrays a woman is a very the song, and I was happy to be more careful in the
people, more brown peo- but unfortunately the me- sensual way. Do you think to share that with her. Even future.
ple, more people from oth- dia portrays them as per- women should embrace though I've never seen that AP: You play classical flute.
er countries where you just fect, and I think that even and own their femininity? tweet, I knew that she in- Do you see yourself doing
don't put them in a foreign those women struggle with LIZZO: I think women should spired one of the biggest something in the future with
category, you put them in having to live up to a body embrace whatever it is songs of 2019. Björk, who also likes flute?
THE category. Someone type or stereotype and about themselves. I think She didn't write the song at LIZZO: I'm such a Björk fan!
like BTS. probably suffer from a lot femininity is also something all and the other people I would love to play flute
But I think that comes with of depression. I am brown, that can be in flux. I think a who claimed to write the with Björk. I think that Björk is
just participation and using I am black, I am curvy, and woman can also embrace song didn't write it either, like a Missy Elliott where it's
my privilege now as some- I am perfect and beautiful. her masculinity. I think a but that's what happens a privilege to work with her.
one in the industry with a And I think that we, as well woman can embrace her when you become author And she doesn't have to
platform to just bring other as other people like Billie Eil- androgyny, her abilities to of a number one hit song, work with everybody or
people up. ish — I am completely dif- be everything. I personally everyone wants to state anybody, so I am waiting
AP: From the Grammys ferent from her, but she is am a hyper-feminine wom- claim on it, but the only for that Björk phone call.
you received, any that you also rebelling against the an. person who I was happy to AP: Being here in Mexico,
were not expecting? archetype of the pop star. I embrace my mascu- give a piece of that success is there something that in-
LIZZO: I did not expect to So, I'm glad you're grateful line side, but I am hyper- too was a black woman in spires you about the Latin
win the first award of the for me, but you also need feminine. I have a lingerie London who tweeted one American culture?
night (best pop solo perfor- to understand that I am just closet in my bedroom, and of the most clever things I LIZZO: Culture inspires me,
mance.) I thought Beyon- as perfect as they are. So I wanted to celebrate that ever heard. period. And I love Mexico.
cé was going to win, I really are you. about myself. I think that it AP: It's so hard to claim that It's my second time here,
did. I was even going, 'Be- AP: Were you always this ain't for everybody, but I do something is original nowa- and I always want to come.
yoncé, Beyoncé.' confident, or did you have think that we should be cel- days. Now I'll come back for my
But I'm so grateful and it to find the confidence with- ebrating ourselves more. LIZZO: Oh my God, tell me birthday, 'cause I have
was a very special, power- in yourself? AP: There was a dispute about it! And for me, my been here for work now. I
ful moment. Here's to more LIZZO: You really have to about the authorship of ego got in the way be- want to come here for play
moments like that in the fu- find it within yourself, but your song "Truth Hurts." Has cause I've seen a lot of so I can really explore the
ture. you have to go through life this been sorted out or is songs that came from the culture. q