Lizzo Reflects on Darkest Career Lows Amid Public Backlash

The singer discussed the toll of this period during an appearance on the Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard podcast. She admitted that she had not fully grasped the magnitude of her own fame until the public turned against her. After the conclusion of her Special Tour, the intensity of the criticism felt distinct from previous waves of negativity, leading her to feel as though her life was over. She eventually realized the necessity of anchoring her identity in her character rather than defining herself solely through professional achievements.

This emotional struggle coincided with the lackluster performance of her June 5 album, B-TCH. The project failed to break into the Billboard Top 200, selling fewer than 3,000 copies in its opening week. Lizzo confessed that the result deeply hurt her, prompting a period of self-doubt where she even questioned her status as a failure during a candid check-in with fellow artist SZA. Despite these setbacks, the singer has pivoted toward a focus on personal well-being, including a commitment to sobriety and a disciplined fitness routine. She continues to navigate these challenges by setting firm boundaries with critics and prioritizing her internal peace over external validation.