Boyce Watkins, a social media and political pundit, set off a Twitterstorm Monday when he attacked Lizzo’s weight.
He complained that the recently named Time Magazine’s entertainer of the year is popular because her weight is reflective of the obesity epidemic in the U.S. He lamented that people classified as obese are dying from diabetes, adding an image of Lizzo alongside the commentary. Fans took to Twitter in no time to condemn the remarks. Lizzo also responded, asking why male artists like DJ Khaled were not subjected to the same scrutiny.
READ MORE: Lizzo named Time Magazine 2019 Entertainer of the Year
#Lizzo popular is because there is an obesity epidemic in America. Rather than encouraging people to do better, we are simply lying to them and telling them that they are just fine the way they are.
Unfortunately, Many of these people are dying from diabetes and heart disease pic.twitter.com/75TY8jJRIX
— Dr Boyce Watkins (@drboycewatkins1) December 20, 2019
Lizzo argued that she is popular because she writes songs that resonate with fans and that she’s a talented performer. She also noted that she’s doing fine and Watkins needs to check himself.
I’m popular because I write good songs and I’m talented and perform high energy hour and a half shows filled with love.
The only person who needs to do better is you.
Keep my name out ya mouth & look in the mirror before you come for me.
Here’s the attention you ordered 😏 https://t.co/zXnOv4f9Dr
— Feelin Good As Hell (@lizzo) December 23, 2019
More than 207,000 Twitter users liked Lizzo’s tweet, many of whom accused Watkins of fat-shaming and sexism, focusing on the singer, instead DJ Khaled, because she’s a confident Black woman at the top of her game.
Here are samples of fans rushing to her defense:
Lizzo is popular because she lets all women know they’re beautiful and fabulous exactly as they are and that we don’t need the validation of any man or anyone but ourselves. She reminds us we are enough. Don’t let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya, sir.
— Music City Mel (@musiccitymel) December 24, 2019
Dr. Watkins out here addressing your fine-ness like he has an MD behind his name.
Sir, your PhD is in finance. @lizzo he just big mad that no amount of his work will reach the people you reach, through love.
Be well, beautiful. xx
— 🎁 Veronica is Present 🎁 (@LovesTheBern) December 23, 2019
Not one to be silenced, Watkins hit back:
Why #Lizzo is popular: We take toxic, deadly, dysfunction and make it cool. All of us are worthy of love, but we should not encourage our people to be unhealthy. https://t.co/XymmVpD7Jj pic.twitter.com/OqOs55kylt
— Dr Boyce Watkins (@drboycewatkins1) December 24, 2019
Let us know your thoughts about this debate in the comments section.
READ MORE: For the Big Black girls who are apathetic about Lizzo’s bare bottom
The post Lizzo responds to critic who claims she is popular because of ‘obesity epidemic’ appeared first on theGrio.
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