Lizzo Reflects on Break and New Album ‘Love in Real Life’

LOS ANGELES, CA — Lizzo is set to release her much-anticipated album, “Love in Real Life,” and she is sharing insights into her recent hiatus from music. In an appearance on the “On Purpose With Jay Shetty” podcast, the singer, whose real name is Melissa Jefferson, explained her decision to take a “gap year” from releasing new music.

“I don’t feel like I’ve expressed myself fully in the last two years, like how I want to,” Lizzo said during the episode. “I feel like I’ve been kind of holding my tongue and like staying to myself, but I think that it’s for the best… Running your mouth these days, sometimes it’s just unnecessary and sometimes it can get you into some stuff you weren’t even trying to get into because people will misinterpret it and run with it.”

She continued, “I found when I was like, I’m taking a gap year, I’m protecting my peace. But like, people were like, wait, so what’s that supposed to mean?”

In the lead-up to the album, Lizzo has already released two singles, “Still Bad” and the title track, marking her first major drops since her 2022 album, “Special.” The album features hits like the chart-topping single, “About Damn Time,” which reached No. 1 for two consecutive weeks. This upcoming release also comes in the wake of a challenging summer for Lizzo, who faced a lawsuit filed by three former dancers.

The lawsuit, initiated in August 2023 by dancers Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez, accuses Lizzo and her touring company, Big Grrrl Big Touring Inc., of multiple allegations. Lizzo has publicly denied the claims, referring to them as “false allegations” and describing the narratives as “sensationalized stories” shared on social media platforms.

On the podcast, Lizzo opened up about her feelings towards public scrutiny. “I think when it was out of my control and someone else could tell a story about me that wasn’t true and people believed it, it crushed me,” she said. She emphasized the disconnect between public perception and her true self, stating, “Whoever Lizzo is to the world is not really even me. And that disconnect is depressing.”

Lizzo expressed a determination to reclaim her narrative, stating, “I’m the author… I’m taking back my narrative by continuing to tell my story from me.” She added, “I just have to continue to be me and people will see me for who I am.”

As she gears up for the release of “Love in Real Life,” Lizzo’s reflections reveal a personal journey of self-discovery and resilience. Fans and listeners can expect to witness a new, authentic chapter in her music career.