US pop star Lizzo has sparked a body positivity debate after posting videos of her 10-day smoothie diet progress.
The Grammy-winning singer has previously been lauded for her body-positive stance, celebrating “big girls” on songs like Juice.
Now in a series of Tik Tok videos, she has charted her weight loss attempts.
Many fans have commended her efforts on health grounds, while other have criticised the star for encouraging “diet culture”.
The conversation around Lizzo’s weight was re-opened after she showcased her new daily diet results, saying it had made her feel “amazing”.
Following reaction from fans, both positive and negative, she responded with a follow-up video, explaining that she was “proud of the results” and how “every big girl should do whatever they want with their bodies”.
‘Get back to where I was’
“As you know, I would normally be so afraid and ashamed to post things like this online because I feel like as a big girl, people just expect if you are doing something for health you’re doing it for a dramatic weight loss, and that is not the case,” said Lizzo.
“In reality, November stressed me out – I drank a lot, I ate a lot of spicy things and things that [messed] my stomach up, and I wanted to reverse it and get back to where I was.”
The 32-year-old said the diet has improved her sleep, her skin and her “inner peace”, as well as her “mental stability”.
“I’m just as proud of my results from my smoothie detox as I am of my belly curves and swerves,” she added in the video caption.
“Thank you Lizzo for being an inspiration,” responded one fan, Nick, online. “Thank you for your music and flawless talent. You do you Queen!”
Another named Leah said she felt let down by the videos. “My heart hurts with all my fat peers today,” she tweeted. “I’m sorry that Lizzo did that to us.”
Latonya, meanwhile, noted: “Lizzo can’t be fat, so she changes her diet. Now, she can’t be skinny! Damn, can she just be happy?! However she defines it.”
Latonya, meanwhile, noted: “Lizzo can’t be fat, so she changes her diet. Now, she can’t be skinny! Damn, can she just be happy?! However she defines it.”
UK singer Adele caused a similar stir earlier this year by posting a picture of herself after losing weight.
The singer has otherwise mostly stayed out of the public eye this year, but did recently host US variety show Saturday Night Live.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
