Why Lizzo represents the new generation of pop stars

«I deserve the attention. I'm talented, I'm young, I'm hot. Do you know? And I've worked hard». ». Lizzo does not ask for permission. She does not apologize. She knows she is worthy. She knows she is talented and has worked hard to transform that potential into the fulfilled and successful woman she is today. And those who do not recognize that can go fuck themselves. She is black and plus size, sings, raps, dances, designs shapewear and fights for positivity and inclusion. She runs fast, following only the rhythm of her step, and it's almost impossible to keep up with her. Just like it's impossible to resist her sound and charm.

Melissa Viviane Jefferson, born in 1998, grew up listening to gospel music and her father's Elton John and Billy Joel records, and learned to play the flute at an early age. After leaving the University of Houston, she moved around the city for a while. Then she officially moved to Minneapolis. Here, around 2011, she became Lizzo to everyone and began seriously pursuing a music career, joining rock, R&B and rap groups. She's good. Even Prince notices, wanting her and her then group The Chalice in the song Boytrouble. But the singer is not ready to take off; she does not think she can be a solo artist. In the years that follow, she works, fights her insecurities and grows stronger as a woman and an artist. Her dedication and determination are rewarded with Cuz I Love You, her third solo album, which is a huge success with critics and audiences. in 2019, she is named "Entertainer of the Year" by Time, and her singles, including those from her past, go viral. Within three years, she releases a series of catchy super-pop singles, empowerment pills and self-love format songs that celebrate female sexuality and promote individualism. Juice, Truth Hurts, Good As Hell, Tempo, Rumours, About Damn Time become powerful anthems that millions listen to and listen to again and again. Lizzo is not just a hitmaker. She is a true queen of the stage and each of her live shows, like the only Italian concert of The Special Tour 2023, which will take place on 2 March at the Mediolanum Forum in Milan (tickets are available at livenation.it), is an event not to be missed, a joyous collective party where you can go wild together with the American star and her Big Grrrls, the group of dancers who accompany her in her performances. Always with ad hoc make-up by Alexx Mayo, often using Charlotte Tilbury products.

2019 American Music Awards, in Valentino

2020 Grammys, in Versace

2021 Grammys, in Balmain

2020 Grammys, in Versace

2020 BRIT Awards, in Jeremy Scott for Moschino

2022 Met Gala, in Thom Browne

2022 VMAs, in Jean Paul Gaultier by Glenn Martens

2022 Emmys, in Giambattista Valli

2022 BET Awards, in Gucci

Watch Out for the Big Grrrls premiere, in Valentino

2023 Grammys, in Dolce & Gabbana

2019 Met Gala, in Marc Jacobs

2023 BRIT Awards, in Act N°1

Cardi B's birthday party, in Matthew Reisman

Amex Brunch, in Richard Quinn

Lizzo in Yitty

Lizzo wearing make up by Alexx Mayo using Charlotte Tilbury's products

Lizzo wearing make up by Alexx Mayo using Charlotte Tilbury's products

Lizzo in Gucci

Lizzo in Gucci

Lizzo in Norma Kamali

2017 VMAs, in Seth Pratt

The myth of Lizzo begins with her music. It continues with her stage performances. It spreads through her words, videos, witty posts on social media and the many looks she wears on the red carpet and in daily life. Every gesture she makes, every album and every outfit tells of her extraordinary personality and unique aesthetic. "If I am shinin', everybody gonna shine" she sings in Juice and I am my inspiration" in Water me and these are the only two guidelines she follows when it comes to fashion. She does not dress to be trendy, for photographers, to bow to the dictates of showbiz. She only does it for herself, to feel good and to accentuate her body. Each of her red carpets becomes an opportunity to show confidence, to love herself and at the same time to affirm that her body is art. So wearing a see-through dress, as at Cardi B's birthday party, or a tight catsuit, as she flaunts on tour, becomes a political statement, an open challenge to a fatphobic and racist society, but also a powerful antidote to body shaming. "I am a bad bitch who takes risks and wears what she wants," she repeats in interviews and, advised by her stylist Marko Monroe, always chooses striking, eye-catching, colorful and bold outfits. She experiments with new looks and designers; she is constantly reinventing herself. She goes from the Valentino signature barbiecore she showed up in at the premiere of Lizzo's Watch Out for the Big Grrrls, to the Versace Old Hollywood dress seen at the 2020 Grammys; from the all-black (including lipstick) Jean Paul Gaultier by Glenn Martens for the MTV Video Music Awards2022 to the regal outfit by Thom Browne for the Met Gala 2022; from the red tulle haute couture gown by Giambattista Valli she chose when she won her first Emmy to the vintage diva by Gucci at the BET Awards2022.

In a society that values slim bodies, blonde white girls with long mermaid waves and thinks the moderately softer body shapes of the Kardashians are the best, Lizzo, when she dances wildly and gleefully in the video for About Damn Time or wears whatever she wants, is a disruptor, an outsider. Someone who is fucking different and important. Black, plus-sized, fierce, talented, with a positive attitude and free sexuality, she represents a new kind of superstar, able to break established patterns in music and beyond.