A PR expert has weighed in on the Lizzo‘s bizarre social media post on Saturday morning with a few choice words to say about the singer’s tactics. This comes a day after singing flute player Lizzo appeared to have yeeted herself out of the music industry via a post to her social media.
Molly McPherson, a crisis management and public relations expert with over half a million followers on TikTok, has now stepped in to give her two cents.
“No no no no no c’mon Lizzo, we are not going to quit,” McPherson begins.
“Creators understand that when people come at you, it’s rough.”
She goes on to delineate two groups of people. The first is trolls and the second is the internet, which in McPherson’s mind, represents public opinion.
“This new narrative of blaming the internet for these crisis outcomes? Tsk Tsk” she warns.
“[This is] the easiest PR crisis to handle.
“All she [Lizzo] would’ve had to do is settle [her court case with the dancers].
“Most reasonable people would believe the dancers … you don’t keep fighting them months later.”
“The internet is public opinion. When public opinion is against you, it means the legal and PR campaign is not working.”
Ooft.
In case you missed it, Lizzo, whose real name is Melissa Viviane Jefferson, published a statement this weekend venting her frustrations with the world.
“I’m getting tired of putting up with being dragged by everyone in my life and on the internet,” the text post began.
“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.
“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 shit— I QUIT”, the post concluded, featuring a “peace out” emoji.
The response in the comments section has been largely positive, with many of Lizzo’s followers sending messages of support.
“I don’t know if it helps, but you’ve definitely helped me feel more confident and brave to post. I think you’re amazing and it’s unfair how people treat bigger black women on the internet. You don’t deserve all this, I do hope it stops soon,” wrote one fan.
Not everyone was so sunshine and rainbows though.”Ik [I know] this is a marketing stunt,” commented a drastically more suspicious follower.
Ever since she shot to worldwide notoriety, it’s not a reach to say that Lizzo has certainly been the recipient of widespread internet trolling and hate.
The situation took a darker turn in the middle of 2023, however, when three of Lizzo’s former dancers filed a lawsuit against her claiming sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment.
Another ex-employee then sued her over bullying and harassment claims.
More to come.
Images via @Lizzobeating on Instagram and @MollyBMcPherson on TikTok.