Lizzo says she has come to terms with her recent album flop, despite initially being saddened by its reception.
The singer previously criticized Atlantic Records for allegedly failing to properly promote the project. However, her apparent explanation for its poor performance has drawn pushback after netizens brought Bebe Rexha’s numbers as an indie artist into the conversation.
Lizzo said that despite the poor performance, the album, titled “B-TCH,” remains some of her “best stuff” to date.
Lizzo’s fifth studio album, “B-TCH,” did not reach the commercial heights many had expected and has recently made headlines over claims that it underperformed.
Amid the conversation surrounding the album’s performance, the singer offered a “non-PR” response during a recent appearance on the Swiftologist podcast, per NME.
“I was really stressed and really sad for a few days because this is some of my best stuff,” the rapper said on the podcast.
She added, “I had to come to terms with the fact that not only is the music industry different – we need to talk about the radio aspect – but also my relationship and my connection musically with the world is different. And I think I had to mourn that.”
Fans Question Label Argument After Sales Flop
Lizzo’s comments about her label have only intensified the conversation around her album’s poor performance, with some fans not buying the idea that promotion was the main issue.
On X, one critic brought Bebe Rexha into the debate to challenge that argument, writing, “lizzo tryna blame her album selling 2.6k on the lack of support from her label when bebe rexha just sold 20k as an indie artist.”
The comparison appears to stem from reports around Rexha’s independent album “Dirty Blonde.” While some fans rounded the figure up to 20,000, chart accounts reported that the project debuted with about 19,000 total units on the Billboard 200, after earlier projections placed it near 20,000.
Responding to a related post on X, one fan said, “Mind you Lizzo missed 200 spots,” while another added, “Not she out selling Lizzo, oh the downfall needs to be investigated.”
SZA Reached Out To Comfort The ‘Juice’ Singer
Following its release, Lizzo’s latest album failed to enter the UK Top 100 Albums Chart. It also posted a disappointing performance in the United States, her biggest market.
By comparison, her previous album, “Special,” debuted at No. 2 on the U.S. Albums Chart following its release in 2022 and peaked at No. 6 in the UK.
Fortunately for the singer, says she received support from loved ones, including a fellow artist, as she came to terms with the album’s reception.
“Thank God for Solána [SZA], she called me and was like. ‘You’re on my mind.’ I was like, ‘Am I a failure?’ and she was like, ‘Oh my god, no!’ – she’s so sweet,” Lizzo said elsewhere on the podcast.
Lizzo Addresses Former Employees’ Lawsuit
In her personal life, Lizzo continues to deal with a harassment lawsuit filed by former employees Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez. Some of the claims in the lawsuit have since been dismissed, including allegations that she fat-shamed the plaintiffs.
Speaking with “Today” host Craig Melvin earlier this month, the four-time Grammy winner said she could have settled the case out of court but chose to fight it because she is “not a woman who’s afraid of the truth coming out.”
“I’m not afraid to fight,” she added. “I’m really excited for all the claims to be dropped and for us all to just move forward.”
Lizzo Says Settling The Case Would Be An ‘Easy Out’
Last month, Lizzo also discussed her decision not to settle the case while promoting her album during an interview with TV personality Gayle King for “CBS Mornings.”
“I think it is an easy out,” Lizzo said about not settling. “I’m fighting the case because I know that it’s not true.”
What remains now are the sexual harassment claims, which the singer said she is ready to fight. She also said she is prepared to take the stand and testify if her accusers refuse to drop the suit.
“I would look fabulous while doing it,” the rapper joked. She added at the time, “I’m not afraid of the truth. The truth is less salacious than the headlines.”
