Lizzo is getting candid about the mental health challenges she faced during her time offstage. At her first concert in nearly two years, the “Truth Hurts” singer shared a raw and emotional moment with her audience, revealing her battle with deep depression.
Performing at the Wiltern in Los Angeles on March 12, Lizzo took the opportunity to speak about her emotional struggles, which had kept her away from the spotlight for a while. “About a year and a half ago, I was in such a dark, deep depression,” she said. “I was so heartbroken by the world and so deeply hurt that I didn’t want to live anymore.”
This dark period for Lizzo came just after her “Special” tour wrapped up in August 2023. At that time, the singer was confronted with lawsuits from three of her former dancers, who accused her of sexual harassment, weight-shaming, and disability discrimination. Additionally, her wardrobe stylist, Asha Daniels, filed a separate lawsuit alleging racial and sexual harassment. Though Lizzo was ultimately dismissed from the suit personally, her production company, Big Grrrl Big Touring Inc., remained involved in the ongoing case. These accusations left the artist feeling blindsided, prompting her to step back from the public eye.
During her hiatus, Lizzo decided to take what she called a “gap year,” focusing on personal projects rather than public-facing work. She reflected on her time away from the limelight, recalling how the isolation left her feeling so fearful of the world that she didn’t want to be seen.
However, things began to change when Lizzo ventured out to a concert similar to the one she was performing at that night. She recalled an experience that helped shift her outlook. “Somebody I didn’t know looked at me and said, ‘Lizzo, I love you,’” she remembered. “And they reached out, and I reached back, and we hugged. And it felt so damn good.”
That moment of connection, she explained, began to snowball, turning into a powerful wave of support from thousands of people. Lizzo emphasized how powerful real-life interactions are, saying, “This is the kind of love you can only get in real life.”
Throughout her performance, Lizzo encouraged her fans to reach out to loved ones when facing their own struggles, especially during dark times. “I share that story because I know somebody here tonight either is currently going through, or has gone through, depression or darkness or felt so betrayed by someone they trusted or was lied on and hated for those lies,” she said. “It’s a universal feeling and experience.”
Lizzo’s openness about her mental health serves as a reminder that no one is alone in their struggles and that seeking support, whether from friends, family, or a community, can be a crucial step in overcoming personal hardships.