Lizzo Says She’s ‘Taking a Gap Year’
Lizzo is in Bali, and she might stay there for a while.
“I’m taking a gap year & protecting my peace,” the singer announced in an Instagram update posted on Sunday (Aug. 25).
Over the weekend, Lizzo started giving fans a glimpse at her visit to Indonesia. In one post she teased, “Unfortunately I’ll be posting way too many bikini pics,” showing off her figure to the camera (no doubt feeling “Good as Hell”).
In an Instagram Story, Lizzo shared some fitness footage from Bali: a clip of herself getting some jump-rope time in on the balcony, which looked particularly impressive with the video sped up.
Just before summertime, the star gave an update on her mental health, a topic she’s been candid about over the past year amid harassment allegations and public scrutiny. (In August 2023, three former tour dancers filed a lawsuit against her, alleging sexual misconduct and hostile work conditions. Lizzo claimed the accusations to be false and deemed them “sensationalized stories”; the lawsuit was put on hold in March pending appeals.)
“I’m the happiest I’ve been in 10 months,” Lizzo wrote on Instagram in a May update. “The strange thing about depression is you don’t know you’re in it until you’re out of it. I’m definitely not all the way as carefree as I used to be. But the dark cloud that followed me every day is finally clearing up. My smile reaches my eyes again and that’s a win.”
Two months prior, in March, she’d expressed frustration over heightened public criticism. “I’m getting tired of putting up with being dragged by everyone in my life and on the Internet,” said Lizzo. “All I want is to make music and make people happy and help the world be a little better than how I found it. But I’m starting to feel like the world doesn’t want me in it.”
At the time, the star said, “I’m constantly up against lies being told about me for clout & views… being the butt of the joke every single time because of how I look… my character being picked apart by people who don’t know me and disrespecting my name. I didn’t sign up for this s— — I QUIT.”
Lizzo explained in a follow-up message that she was not resigning from her career in music. “I just need to clarify — when I say I quit, I mean, I quit giving any negative energy attention,” she said. “What I’m not gonna quit is the joy of my life, which is making music, which is connecting with people. I know I’m not alone. In no way, shape or form am I the only person who is experiencing that negative voice that seems to be louder than the positive … I’m going to keep moving forward, I’m going to keep being me.”
Now Lizzo — who last released an album in 2022, Special, a set that debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart and featured the Hot 100 No. 1 “About Damn Time” — appears to be getting a wellness reset by way of nature, exercise and relaxation in Bali.
Get inspired to take some time for yourself with Lizzo’s latest Instagram post below.
Ashley Iasimone
Billboard
