Lizzo Slays The Cover Of 'British Vogue' & Opens Up About Negative Self-Talk
Whoever said a plus-sized Black woman couldn't star on the cover of Vogue and f*cking kill it was a damn lie and you can tell them Lizzo said it. The woman who gave us all the "Juice", reminded us that the "Truth Hurts", and constantly encourages us to give ourselves "Good As Hell" love that we deserve was recently featured on the cover of British Vogue and showed TF out.
In a form-fitting low-cut, Versace dress and feather boa, Lizzo gave us our entire lives and shared how her quest to carve out her own lane allowed her to create a whole new avenue for women who look like her. In an Instagram post, the singer wrote:
"Big black girls, if you're reading this... you're a cover star. Nothin less. Period Pooh. Fin b*tch"
Although the 31-year-old singer may have the confidence of 1000 Beyonce's now, she revealed that her issues with self-worth are decades in the making and ultimately impacted her mindset in a major way. Negative self-talk is one hell of a drug; one that Lizzo says she indulged in unapologetically. She explained:
"I would watch things on television and I would look at magazines and I would not see myself. When you don't see yourself, you start to think something's wrong with you. Then you want to look like those things and when you realize it's a physical impossibility, you start to think, 'What the fuck is wrong with me?' I think that took a greater toll on me, psychologically, growing up than what anyone could have said to me."
In the past, Lizzo has been transparent about her battle with anxiety and depression and says that fame hasn't made her journey any easier. Although the singer still has anxious moments, self-care has been her key to leveling up her mental health and rediscovering self-love.
"I think if I was 21 right now, I would not be able to maintain this lifestyle without having major anxiety and panic attacks. But thank God, my journey is all about self-care and finding that love for yourself and nurturing yourself. Because that's what artists need more than anything."
The singer also says that over the years, she has found some upside to her anxiety. The mark of a true boss is being able to turn any disadvantage into a win, and Lizzo says she's done exactly that by channeling her restlessness into her art:
"When I get really, really anxious before a show, I just go harder and harder and harder when I'm performing and I just go crazy. I don't know why, but my anxiety sometimes fuels who I am as a performer and who I am as an artist – and I know that is not the case for everyone. I don't know if my body just, like, out of a desperate need to find a place for my anxiety or find a use for it, takes it and puts it there."
Today, Lizzo has become the representation that she so desperately needed as a kid but according to her, her goal has never been to sell records. To Lizzo, her hustle has been all about self-love:
"Anybody that uses body positivity to sell something is using it for their personal gain. That's just it,. We weren't selling anything in the beginning. We were just selling ourselves and selling ourselves on the idea – selling ourselves on ourselves, you know? I'm not trying to sell you me. I'm trying to sell you, you."
Featured image by lev radin / Shutterstock.com
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Taylor "Pretty" Honore is a spiritually centered and equally provocative rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a love for people and storytelling. You can probably find me planting herbs in your local community garden, blasting "Back That Thang Up" from my mini speaker. Let's get to know each other: @prettyhonore.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Rihanna Talks Shedding Expectations And Finding Balance As A Mother
Since becoming a mother in 2022, Rihanna has defined parenthood by her terms and hopes to pass that sense of autonomy on to her children.
For Vogue China’s April cover story, Rihanna shared her perspective on raising her two sons with A$AP Rocky, and how she hopes to preserve her children’s uniqueness, devoid of societal expectations.
"The most beautiful thing...is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity,” she told the publication. “Which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group."
The “Work” artist, known for her trendsetting style and captivating persona, expressed her desire to support children in fully embracing their individuality and encouraging them to be whoever they want to be. "It's really beautiful to see and I want to continue to help them navigate that and make sure that they know they can be whoever they want to be,” she says.
She continues, “They should embrace it completely, because it's beautiful, and it's unique. I love them just that way."
From shattering music charts to shaking up the beauty industry, Rihanna has forged a path that has since created the “dream” life we see today. One that she says has made her parents proud of.
“I’m living my dream,” she continued. “My parents were very proud of that because they just wanted me to be happy and successful. So, I think the key thing is to find some kind of balance. Yes, balance is important. Do this and you get the best of both worlds. You can write your own life the way you want, and it will be beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to let go of everyone’s expectations and start living your own story.”
Rihanna, who shares sons, RZA, 23 months, and Riot, 8 months, with rapper A$AP Rocky, recently shared her vision for expanding her family in the future in Interview Magazine.
When stylist Mel Ottenberg asked about the number of additional children she hoped to have, Rihanna replied, "As many as God wants me to have.”
"I don't know what God wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl,” she adds. “But of course, if it's another boy, it's another boy."
Featured image by Neil MockfordWireImage