Lizzo’s return to music has been far from the smooth, triumphant comeback fans might have expected.

In a new cover story with New York published Monday, Sept. 8, the 37-year-old singer opened up about the challenges of reentering the music world while facing multiple lawsuits and personal struggles over the past few years.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lizzo (@lizzobeeating)

“I put out those two singles, and it feels like I had a crash course in what putting music out as a pop artist in 2025 looks like, and it’s … interesting,” Lizzo told the publication. “The industry and the landscape change every year. What worked last year is not going to work this year.”

The singer, whose real name is Melissa Viviane Jefferson, released her 2022 album Special with confidence, navigating the “gatekeepers from radio to marketing to media.” Fast-forward to 2025, and Lizzo admits that the rollout of her latest mixtape, My Face Hurts from Smiling, has been chaotic.

“I had three years to plan this s--- out, and all of my plans kind of crumbled,” she said. Despite the upheaval, Lizzo says the project allowed her to “subvert that expectation” and encourage fans to rediscover who she is.

Her return comes after a series of lawsuits that have placed her in the public eye for reasons beyond music.

In August 2023, Lizzo’s backup dancers filed lawsuits alleging sexual harassment, racial harassment, and a hostile work environment. Lizzo denied the allegations in an Instagram post, stating she is “not the villain that people and the media have portrayed me to be these last few days.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lizzo (@lizzobeeating)

Weeks later, former wardrobe assistant Asha Daniels filed a separate lawsuit claiming that Lizzo’s team fostered a “racist and sexualized” environment while on tour. Lizzo’s representatives dismissed the claims as “meritless” and a “publicity-stunt lawsuit.”

While Lizzo is no longer named individually in Daniels’ suit, her touring company remains a defendant, with the trial set to begin in December 2025.

Fans have reacted strongly to Lizzo’s struggles, with social media buzzing over whether she deserves a second chance or should be held accountable for the allegations. Some defend her, citing her openness about sexuality and artistry, while others question whether her legal controversies cast a shadow over her comeback.

Despite the hurdles, Lizzo remains determined to reconnect with her audience. Her candid reflections on the unpredictability of the music industry and her desire for reinvention show an artist willing to confront challenges head-on—both personal and professional as she navigates the next chapter of her career.

Photo Credit: @lizzobeeating on Instagram.