Photo Credit: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Lizzo Apologizes And Changes Lyrics of "Grrrls" After Using Ableist Lyric
Lizzo has released a new version of "Grrrls" after disability advocates called her out for using the word "spaz" at the start of the songs.
Lizzo is taking the high road. After facing backlash from fans for using the word "spaz" in new single "Grrrls," the Watch Out for the Big Grrrls host subsequently changed the lyric, also releasing a statement to social media on Monday (June 13).
"It's been brought to my attention that there is a harmful word in my new song "GRRRLS," she wrote. "Let me make one thing clear: I never want to promote derogatory language," she continued. "As a fat black woman in America, I've had many hateful words used against me so I understand the power words can have (whether intentionally or in my case unintentionally). I'm proud to say there's a new version of GRRRLS with a lyric change."
\u201c\u2764\ufe0f\u201d— FOLLOW @YITTY (@FOLLOW @YITTY) 1655160415
"This is the result of me listening and taking action," she ended her statement. "As an influential artist I'm dedicated to being part of the change I've been waiting to see in the world."
Prior to changing the lyric, users on TikTok and Twitter discussed the word "spaz" referring to spastic diplegia, a condition that affects motor control in the legs and occasionally associated with mild brain damage.
The Cambridge Dictionary also defines the slur as "an offensive way of saying 'a stupid person.'"
\u201cHey @lizzo my disability Cerebral Palsy is literally classified as Spastic Diplegia (where spasticity refers to unending painful tightness in my legs) your new song makes me pretty angry + sad. \u2018Spaz\u2019 doesn\u2019t mean freaked out or crazy. It\u2019s an ableist slur. It\u2019s 2022. Do better.\u201d— Hannah Diviney (@Hannah Diviney) 1655002677
\u201cI\u2019m disappointed in @lizzo for using the word \u201csp@z\u201d in her new song \u201cGrrrls\u201d. There\u2019s no excuse for using an ableist insult in a song in 2022. As someone who champions women, plus size people and others whom society treats poorly, Lizzo preaches inclusivity and should do better.\u201d— Callum Stephen (He/Him) (@Callum Stephen (He/Him)) 1654981648
Others came to Lizzo's defense, saying that using "spaz" was an honest mistake.
\u201cAlso re: Lizzo and the lyric that uses an ableist slur\n\nWhat\u2019s really making this situation difficult for me as an activist is seeing other activists refusing to give the benefit of the doubt. Like y\u2019all are assuming she used the word maliciously.\u201d— dildo daggins | she/they/he (@dildo daggins | she/they/he) 1655043156
\u201cI've seen a few comments across the internet talking about "Cancelling Lizzo" and that's not what we want - we want to educate her and have the word changed\u201d— Shelby \ud83d\udda4 (@Shelby \ud83d\udda4) 1655057216
After the lyric was changed, fans thanked Lizzo for being mindful of their requests.
\u201cI\u2019m going to cry \ud83d\ude2d Thank you so much for hearing us Lizzo and for understanding that this was only ever meant gently and being open to learning, it honestly means the world \u2764\ufe0f. You\u2019re a real true ally\u201d— Hannah Diviney (@Hannah Diviney) 1655160961
After airing Watch Out for the Big Grrrls on Amazon Prime, the musician last spoke with Variety about releasing a scripted project with Amazon Studios in the future. Lizzo's fourth album Special is due to release on July 15 via Nice Life Recording Company/Atlantic Records.
