Lizzo fears plus-size women are being ‘edged out’ amid rise of weight-loss drugs

November 24, 2025 – Radio 854 Music News:

Pop icon Lizzo is raising a powerful warning: plus-size women are increasingly being “erased” from society as the popularity of weight-loss drugs soars. In a deeply personal Substack essay, she reflects on her own journey, the shifting face of body positivity, and the unintended consequences of the so-called Ozempic boom.

Her Message: Representation Is Disappearing

At 37 years old, Lizzo says she still weighs over 200 pounds, calling herself “a proud big girl.” uk.news.yahoo.com But she’s alarmed by how the landscape for plus-size representation is changing. Lizzo argues that extended sizes are quietly vanishing from fashion websites, and plus-size models are getting fewer bookings.

She writes:

“All of our big girls are not-so-big anymore.”

Her concern isn’t just about weight — it’s about belonging, visibility, and the heart of a movement that once celebrated all bodies.

Behind the Words: Her Own Struggles

Lizzo also opens up about a very difficult chapter of her life. She says her weight-loss journey began in late 2023, during a period of deep depression. She felt suicidal, but instead of returning to earlier coping mechanisms, she turned to Pilates and therapy to process her pain.

She explains that her weight had once acted as a “protective shield,” but she eventually decided to let go of that defense.

The Role of Weight-Loss Drugs

A major part of her essay is a critique of weight-loss drugs—specifically GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, which have exploded in popularity. Lizzo argues that while some people are choosing these medications, the wider cultural effect is concerning: “undoing the effects of the Ozempic boom” means losing representation for plus-size communities.

She also suggests the body positivity movement has become commercialized and diluted, losing its original purpose.

A Call to Action: Rebuild, Expand, Include

Lizzo doesn’t just raise the alarm — she’s ready to do the work. She writes that she wants to restore trust in the movement that once empowered her. Her goal? To help the body positivity movement grow in a way that is nuanced, inclusive, and honest, rather than being defined by commercial trends.

She challenges society to expand its understanding of bodies — to move beyond rigid categories of “good” or “bad” — and to fight for continued visibility for all shapes and sizes.

Why This Matters for Us

• Lizzo’s message shines a light on a growing tension: health choices vs. cultural representation.

• Her story shows that even as individuals make personal changes, broader societal trends can erase entire communities.

• For Radio 854, this is a reminder of the importance of diversity in media — not just in music, but in how we talk about bodies and wellness.

Lizzo’s essay is deeply personal — but her point is universal. As debates around weight-loss drugs continue, she invites us not just to make room for change, but to keep the room open for everyone.