After fans called her out, Lizzo removed an ableist insult from her new single “GRRLS”.
The Grammy Award winner, 34, released a revised version of her track “GRRRLS” from her upcoming fourth studio album Special on Monday after discovering that one of the lyrics featured an ableist insult.
She wrote in a statement, “It’s been brought to my attention that there is a harmful word in my new song ‘GRRRLS.’ Let me make one thing clear: I never want to promote derogatory language”.
“As a fat Black woman in America, I’ve had many hurtful words used against me so I overstand the power words can have (whether intentionally or in my case, unintentionally).”
“I’m proud to say there’s a new version of GRRRLS with a lyric change. This is the result of me listening and taking action. As an influential artist I’m dedicated to being part of the change I’ve been waiting to see in the world,” the statement concluded.
“GRRRLS” released on Friday June 10, featured the lyric: “Hold my bag, bitch, hold my bag / Do you see this s—? I’m a sp-z” which she has now been replaced with “hold me back.”
The new version has already replaced by the original on streaming platforms such as Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube.
Lizzo faced fire over the weekend over the single’s ableist lyric.
“Hey @lizzo,” disability advocate Hannah Diviney tweeted. “my disability Cerebral Palsy is literally classified as Spastic Diplegia (where spasticity refers to unending painful tightness in my legs) your new song makes me pretty angry + sad. ‘Spaz’ doesn’t mean freaked out or crazy. It’s an ableist slur. It’s 2022. Do better.”
Diviney, on the other hand, has backed Lizzo’s apology and solution, writing on Twitter, “Thank you so much for hearing us Lizzo, and for understanding that this was only ever meant gently and being open to learning, it honestly means the world.” “You’re a real true.”