Lizzo has never been one to shy away from vulnerability, and in a recent interview with the podcast "Swiftologist," she laid bare her feelings about the commercial disappointment of her latest album, "Bitch." The 38-year-old singer, whose real name is Melissa Viviane Jefferson, admitted that the album's first-week sales of just 2,649 copies left her feeling "soul-crushing" sadness and forced her to confront the way she measures her self-worth.
"It dropped, and I was like, 'Oh, OK, this isn't what I thought it would be,'" she said in the interview, released June 28. "I didn't think it would be crazy, but I also didn't think it would be this. There was, like, 24 hours of my life where I based my success and my worth on a number, and I think that was soul-crushing."
The Album's Reception
"Bitch," which arrived on June 5, was Lizzo's first studio album since the Grammy-winning "Special" in 2022. That previous effort debuted with 39,000 equivalent album units, soared to No. 2 on the Billboard 200, and spawned the massive hit "About Damn Time" — a No. 1 single that also won Record of the Year at the Grammys. In stark contrast, "Bitch" failed to even chart on the Billboard 200, and its lead single, "Bitch (Let's Go)," didn't crack the Hot 100. According to data reported by Rolling Stone, the album moved only 2,649 copies in its first seven days — a staggering 93% drop from its predecessor.
For an artist who had become a household name, a radio staple, and a champion of body positivity and self-love, the numbers were especially jarring. The album, a 12-track project that Lizzo has described as her most personal and playful work, seemed to miss the mark with both longtime fans and casual listeners. Streams on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music were modest, and physical sales — once a stronghold for the artist's earlier releases — were also lackluster.
Industry observers pointed to several factors: the shift from radio dominance to streaming, the lingering effects of the 2023 workplace misconduct lawsuit filed by her former dancers, and a general cooling of interest in the pop-rap-energetic style that Lizzo helped popularize. Yet for the artist herself, the disappointment was deeply personal.
The Emotional Aftermath
In the "Swiftologist" interview, Lizzo described a period of intense sadness and introspection. "I had to reframe and be like, 'But aren't you proud of yourself?' And I was like, 'Yeah, I actually am proud of myself.' Aren't you excited to sing these songs? Aren't you glad they're out?' Yeah."
She admitted that she "took it to heart really, really, heavily" because she believes "Bitch" is some of her best work. "I was really stressed and I was really sad for a few days, because I just was like, 'Wait a minute. This is some of my best stuff. I want people to find it,'" she said. The experience forced her to come to terms with the fact that her "connection, musically, with the world is different" now than it was during her peak years from 2019 to 2022.
Lizzo explained that she meditated and prayed on the situation, ultimately deciding that she cannot define her success or impact by numbers. "It's soul-crushing if you do," she warned. The singer has long advocated for self-love and mental health, and her public grappling with commercial failure serves as a raw, real-world example of practicing what she preaches.
Lizzo's Career Context
To understand the significance of "Bitch"'s underperformance, it helps to look back at Lizzo's meteoric rise. Born in Detroit and raised in Houston, she started her music career in indie and alternative circles before breaking through in 2019 with the album "Cuz I Love You" and the smash single "Truth Hurts." That song, originally released in 2017, went viral and spent seven weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It became a cultural anthem, synonymous with the empowerment movements of the late 2010s.
Lizzo followed up with "Special" in 2022, which solidified her status as a global pop star. The album earned multiple Grammy nominations, and "About Damn Time" won Record of the Year. She headlined festivals, appeared in major ad campaigns, and became a visible advocate for body positivity, racial justice, and LGBTQ+ rights. Her flute-playing, twerking, and unapologetic confidence made her a singular presence in pop culture.
But the lawsuit filed in 2023 by three former dancers — Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez — changed the narrative. They accused Lizzo of sexual harassment, assault, and creating a hostile work environment. Lizzo has vehemently denied all allegations, calling them "sensationalized stories" and "outrageous." The case is ongoing, with both sides presenting evidence in court. The legal battle has undoubtedly affected public perception, and Lizzo herself acknowledged on social media that "the very obvious and public attack on my career changed things."
The Impact of the Lawsuit
The lawsuit has cast a long shadow over Lizzo's recent work. In an earlier post on X (formerly Twitter), she reacted to a comment that she no longer has a fanbase. "Streaming replaced radio & I was a radio darling," she wrote. She added that the "public attack" on her career — a clear reference to the lawsuit — had shifted her relationship with the audience. While she continues to deny the allegations, the mere existence of the legal proceedings has been enough to cool the enthusiasm of some fans and radio programmers.
Radio had been one of Lizzo's biggest strengths. Hits like "Truth Hurts," "Good as Hell," and "About Damn Time" received massive airplay, propelling her to the top of the charts. In the streaming era, however, radio's influence has waned, and playlist placement on platforms like Spotify has become the new battleground. Lizzo's new music seemed to struggle to crack major playlists, which may have contributed to the low first-week numbers.
Despite the legal cloud, Lizzo has remained defiant and creative. She told USA TODAY ahead of "Bitch"'s release that she was "reclaiming who I am" with the record. "A lot of my identity has been manipulated by people outside of me, so this album is me taking that back — showing the Lizzo everybody knows and loves, letting her tell her side of the story and just letting her play again," she said. The album's themes of self-assertion, joy, and resilience are unmistakably Lizzo, even if the commercial reception has been muted.
Broader Industry Trends
Lizzo's experience is not unique. Many artists who peaked during the radio era have seen their album sales plummet in the streaming age. The shift to on-demand listening has fragmented audiences, and the nostalgia-driven streaming boom has made it harder for new releases from established acts to break through. The rise of TikTok as a tastemaker has also changed how music is discovered, often favoring short, viral moments over full album cycles.
Moreover, the album "Bitch" arrived at a time when the music industry is dominated by mega-tours and catalog sales. Legacy acts like Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and Drake continue to command huge numbers, while mid-tier artists — even those with Grammy wins — struggle to maintain momentum. Lizzo's previous success may have set an unrealistic benchmark, making the "failure" of "Bitch" seem more pronounced than it would be for a lesser-known artist.
Still, the album's supporters argue that its quality should not be judged by sales alone. Critics have praised "Bitch" for its bold production, introspective lyrics, and infectious energy. Songs like "Bitch (Let's Go)," "Playground," and "IDGAF" showcase Lizzo's versatility, blending pop, hip-hop, funk, and soul. Fans who have discovered the album on streaming platforms have called it a return to form, even if the numbers don't reflect that.
Looking Ahead
For Lizzo, the path forward is unclear but not without hope. She continues to tour and perform, and her live shows remain high-energy celebrations of self-love. She has hinted at new music and collaborations, and she maintains a strong, if somewhat diminished, social media presence. The legal case will likely continue to be a factor, but Lizzo seems determined to separate her art from the courtroom drama.
In the end, the story of "Bitch" is not just about a sales flop. It's about an artist confronting the fragility of fame, the pain of unmet expectations, and the resilience required to keep creating. Lizzo's willingness to speak openly about her struggles — from weight fluctuations to mental health to career setbacks — has always been part of her appeal. Now, she is adding another chapter to that narrative, one that may ultimately resonate more deeply than any chart position.
As she told "Swiftologist," she is proud of the album and excited to perform the songs. "I want people to find it," she said. Whether or not the commercial train picks up again, Lizzo has already shown that her worth is not defined by a number — even if it took a soul-crushing few days to remember that.
Source: USA TODAY News