You may or may not have seen Lizzo’s viral red carpet photo for the 2019 AMAs but it’s something else to say the least. Is the bag practical. No. Is the bag over priced for the size. Yes. Is it kind of hilarious. Absolutely.
If you’re not aware of who Lizzo is (birth name Melissa Viviane Jefferson) a r&b/soul/hip hop American Artist. She has been active since 2010 but it was her album Cuz I Love You (2019) that garnered critical acclaim and led to a rise in popularity. But why? No doubt she is a
talented singer/performer/flutist but does her being a plus sized woman have anything to do with it?
For reference and context let’s look at another plus size artist, Meghan Trainor. In 2014 Trainor’s single All About that bass was released and its initial response was mixed. Some praised it calling it a summer hit whilst others felt that lyrically it was not as body positive as it was marketed to be. Though I could see the intentions for the song were to make women accept their bodies. Lines in the song like “all the right junk in all the right places” and “Boys like a little more booty to hold at night” seem out of place and goes along the idea that thin bodies are not good. It can also be noted that Trainor herself doesn't like the term “plus sized” I've always hated the word "plus-size." It bugs me.
Why does a person's weight/personal appearance dictates whether they'll have success or not?
Surely, if a person is talented their looks are not a priority. Well, to that I would say that the music industry (entertainment) has always valued beauty particularly in female artists. For more extreme examples look into the South Korean beauty standards and female K-idols. Back to Lizzo she might not be the typical American body but maybe that's why she stands so much because she can differentiate herself compared to American singers.
Beauty standards are very hard societal aspects that takes years to change but I believe that now in the 21st century, the lines are becoming more blurred. Platforms such as social media has facilitated the comparison of oneself of appearance. The obsession with celebrity culture can have both a negative/positive influences to its audience (particularly teenagers who are dealing with self-esteem issues). However, saying all this... there's something powerful in the way Lizzo was photographed for her album Cuz I Love You. Photographing nude can be said to be a representation of self confidence and embracing your appearance can be empowering for the artist but also for those who see the album cover.
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