History of Lizzo in Timeline
Lizzo, born Melissa Viviane Jefferson, is an American singer and rapper who gained prominence after moving to Minneapolis. She initially pursued a hip-hop career, releasing two studio albums, Lizzobangers (2013) and Big Grrrl Small World (2015), independently. She later signed with Nice Life Recording Company and Atlantic Records, releasing her first major-label EP, Coconut Oil, in 2016. Her early career reflects a journey through different cities, influencing her musical style and path to mainstream recognition.
1994: Whitney Houston's Achievement
In 2022 after "About Damn Time" Reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, Lizzo became the first black female singer since Whitney Houston in 1994 to win the Grammy Award for Record of the Year.
2006: High School Graduation
In 2006, Lizzo graduated from Alief Elsik High School, where she had started rapping.
2009: Performs in Ellypseas
In 2009, Lizzo performed lead vocals and flute in the jazz/prog rock quintet Ellypseas.
2010: Continues with Ellypseas
In 2010, Lizzo continued to perform lead vocals and flute in the jazz/prog rock quintet Ellypseas.
2011: Move to Minneapolis
In 2011, Lizzo dropped out of college and moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota.
2012: The Chalice First Album Release
In 2012, the Chalice, which Lizzo helped form released its first album, We Are the Chalice, which was locally successful.
2012: Rihanna's Hit 'Diamonds'
In 2019 after Truth Hurts topped the Hot 100, Lizzo became the first black solo female R&B singer to claim the top spot on the Hot 100 since Rihanna's 2012 hit "Diamonds".
October 15, 2013: Lizzobangers Album Release
On October 15, 2013, Lizzo's hip-hop-focused debut album, Lizzobangers, produced by Lazerbeak and Ryan Olson, was released.
October 2013: City Pages' "Picked to Click" Award
In October 2013, Lizzo won City Pages' "Picked to Click" award for best new Twin Cities artist.
2013: Lizzobangers Release
In 2013, Lizzo released her first studio album, Lizzobangers.
September 2014: Featured on Prince's Album
In September 2014, Lizzo was featured alongside her Chalice bandmates Sophia Eris and Claire de Lune on the song "BoyTrouble" on Prince's and 3rdeyegirl's album Plectrumelectrum.
October 7, 2014: Late Show with David Letterman Appearance
On October 7, 2014, Lizzo appeared as the musical guest on the Late Show with David Letterman.
2014: StyleLikeU's What's Underneath Project
In 2014, Lizzo participated in StyleLikeU's What's Underneath project, where she removed her clothes as she talked about her relationships with her body.
2014: Time's Music Artists to Watch
In November of 2013, Time named Lizzo one of 14 music artists to watch in 2014.
December 11, 2015: Big Grrrl Small World Album Release
On December 11, 2015, Lizzo's second studio album, Big Grrrl Small World, was released.
2015: Big Grrrl Small World Release
In 2015, Lizzo released her second studio album, Big Grrrl Small World.
March 8, 2016: "Good as Hell" Release
On March 8, 2016, "Good as Hell" was released as the lead single from the Coconut Oil as part of the soundtrack for the 2016 film Barbershop: The Next Cut.
October 7, 2016: Coconut Oil EP Release
After signing with Atlantic Records, Lizzo released her first major-label extended play, Coconut Oil, on October 7, 2016.
2016: "Good as Hell" Climbs the Charts
Around the time of her performance at the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards, Lizzo's 2016 single "Good as Hell" climbed the charts, reaching the top three of the Billboard Hot 100 and the top ten of the UK Singles Chart.
2016: Coconut Oil Album Success
In 2016, Coconut Oil peaked at number 44 on US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, making it Lizzo's first release to chart.
2016: Grrrl Prty Disbands
In 2016, the hip-hop group Grrrl Prty, which Lizzo was a member of, played its final show at Rock the Garden and disbanded.
2017: Good as Hell Tour
In 2017, Lizzo embarked on the Good as Hell Tour to promote the extended play Coconut Oil and headlined The Infatuation's annual food festival, EEEEEATSCON. She also appeared as a guest judge on the tenth season of RuPaul's Drag Race.
2017: "Truth Hurts" Initial Release
In 2017, Lizzo released the single "Truth Hurts".
June 11, 2018: ModCloth's "Say It Louder" Campaign
Highlighting body inclusivity and celebrating individuality, Lizzo appeared in ModCloth's "Say It Louder" campaign, which launched on June 11, 2018.
June 2018: NYC Pride's Pride Island performance
In June 2018, Lizzo performed at NYC Pride's Pride Island event sporting the first plus-size outfit made for FIT's Future of Fashion runway show by Grace Insogna.
June 2018: Discussion of Sexuality in Interview
In a June 2018 interview, Lizzo discussed her sexuality, stating she doesn't ascribe to one thing and considers herself an ally who "leans heterosexual".
2018: Discussion about musical influences
In an interview in 2018, Lizzo discussed her musical influences including Missy Elliott, Lauryn Hill, and Beyoncé. She mentioned she had been afraid of singing, but Lauryn Hill influenced her to incorporate singing in her music.
2018: Tours with Haim and Florence and the Machine
In early 2018, Lizzo toured with both Haim and Florence and the Machine.
January 4, 2019: "Juice" Release
On January 4, 2019, "Juice", the lead single from Lizzo's third studio album, was released by Atlantic Records.
April 19, 2019: Cuz I Love You Album Release
On April 19, 2019, Lizzo's album Cuz I Love You was released.
July 23, 2019: MTV VMA Nominations
On July 23, 2019, Lizzo was nominated for Push Artist of the Year and Best New Artist at the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards.
September 9, 2019: Cuz I Love You Certified Gold
On September 9, 2019, Cuz I Love You was certified gold by the RIAA with over 500,000 equivalent units sold.
December 2019: Controversy at Lakers Game
In December 2019, Lizzo sparked controversy at a Los Angeles Lakers game for her dance and attire.
December 21, 2019: Saturday Night Live Debut
On December 21, 2019, Lizzo made her debut as a musical guest on Saturday Night Live, which was hosted by Eddie Murphy and marked the final episode of the year and the decade.
2019: Mainstream Success with 'Cuz I Love You'
In 2019, Lizzo attained mainstream success with the release of her third studio album, Cuz I Love You, which peaked at number four on the US Billboard 200. The album included singles "Juice" and "Tempo".
2019: Acting Roles and 'Entertainer of the Year'
In 2019, Lizzo voiced a character in UglyDolls, appeared in Hustlers, and was named Time's "Entertainer of the Year."
2019: Credited for Woodwind Renaissance
In 2019, Lizzo was credited by writer Leonie Cooper in The Guardian for "the woodwind renaissance" as "the flute's brightest champion" in the mainstream.
2019: "Truth Hurts" Gains Popularity
In 2019, after inspiring an internet meme on TikTok and being featured in Someone Great, Lizzo's 2017 single "Truth Hurts" began to gain popularity and was added to the deluxe version of Cuz I Love You.
2019: Filmmaker Sophia Nahli Allison dropped documentary project
In 2019, filmmaker Sophia Nahli Allison traveled with Lizzo but dropped out of the documentary project and later wrote a statement supporting the dancers in the lawsuit filed in 2023.
2019: Performance at BET Awards
Lizzo performed "Truth Hurts" at the 2019 BET Awards with her flute, Sasha Flute, earning a standing ovation, including from Rihanna.
January 5, 2020: Departure from Twitter
On January 5, 2020, Lizzo stopped using Twitter, citing "too many trolls" as the reason. Her account has since been updated by her management.
January 2020: FOMO Festival Headliner
In January 2020, Lizzo headlined the FOMO Festival, performing in four Australian cities and Auckland, New Zealand. She also performed a sold-out show at the Sydney Opera House, where she had performed as a young flute player.
August 2020: Production Deal with Amazon Studios
In August 2020, Lizzo signed a production deal with Amazon Studios to develop new projects.
August 2, 2021: Announcement of "Rumors" and New Era
On August 2, 2021, Lizzo announced the beginning of a "new era" with the upcoming release of her song "Rumors".
October 2021: Criticism for Chris Brown Comment
In October 2021, Lizzo received criticism for calling Chris Brown her "favorite person in the whole fucking world" due to Brown's various convictions.
2021: "Rumors" Release
In 2021, Lizzo released the single "Rumors" (featuring Cardi B), which debuted in the top five of the Billboard Hot 100.
March 23, 2022: Announcement of "About Damn Time" Release
On March 23, 2022, Lizzo announced that her single "About Damn Time" would be released on April 14.
March 24, 2022: Premiere of Lizzo's Watch Out for the Big Grrrls
On March 24, 2022, Lizzo's reality competition series, Lizzo's Watch Out for the Big Grrrls, premiered on Amazon Studios, marking her first project under her production deal.
April 16, 2022: Saturday Night Live Appearance
On April 16, 2022, Lizzo returned to Saturday Night Live as both host and musical guest.
June 10, 2022: "Grrrls" Release and Controversy
On June 10, 2022, Lizzo released "Grrrls" as the first promotional single from her album Special. The song generated controversy due to its use of the word "spaz," which was later replaced.
July 15, 2022: Release of 'Special' and Lizzoverse Experience
On July 15, 2022, Lizzo released her fourth studio album, Special, to critical acclaim, and launched Lizzoverse, an immersive light show experience.
December 17, 2022: Saturday Night Live Appearance
On December 17, 2022, Lizzo returned to Saturday Night Live for her third appearance as a musical guest, with Austin Butler hosting, replacing the band Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
2022: Donation to Planned Parenthood
In 2022, Lizzo donated $500,000 to Planned Parenthood after the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
2022: Special Album Release and "About Damn Time" Success
In 2022, Lizzo released her fourth studio album, Special, which was preceded by its lead single "About Damn Time". "About Damn Time" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
2022: Relationship with Myke Wright
In 2022, Lizzo was romantically linked to comedian Myke Wright.
February 2023: "About Damn Time" Wins Record of the Year at Grammys
In February 2023, Lizzo's song "About Damn Time" won the Record of the Year award at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards, marking her first major category win.
August 2023: Lawsuit from Former Backup Dancers
In August 2023, three former backup dancers filed a lawsuit against Lizzo, her production company, and her dance captain, accusing them of various forms of harassment and discrimination.
January 2024: Started daily fitness routines
Starting in January 2024, Lizzo began incorporating daily fitness routines into her life while continuing to advocate for body positivity.
February 2024: Rejection of Lizzo's Request to End Dancers' Case
In February 2024, a Los Angeles judge rejected Lizzo's request to end the case brought by three backup dancers, though he dismissed some charges including fat-shaming and disability discrimination claims. Sexual harassment and racial and religious discrimination allegations were upheld.
December 2024: Dismissal of some charges in lawsuit
In December 2024, a Los Angeles judge ruled that clothing designer Asha Daniels could not sue Lizzo and her tour manager as individuals, dismissing all causes of action against both. Several of Daniels' other claims were also dismissed. Lizzo's company remains a defendant in the lawsuit.
2024: Endorsement of Kamala Harris
In 2024, Lizzo endorsed Kamala Harris for the U.S. presidential election.
February 15, 2025: Teasing new project LIRL
On February 15, 2025, Lizzo began teasing a new project titled "LIRL" with a video clip on social media, setting a release date for February 28.
February 28, 2025: Release of "Love in Real Life"
On February 28, 2025, Lizzo released "Love in Real Life", the lead single from her upcoming fifth studio album.
March 2025: Weight Loss Reveal
In March 2025, Lizzo posted a video revealing she had gradually achieved significant weight loss, after having done daily fitness routines since January 2024, while continuing to advocate for body positivity.
June 24, 2025: Sharing track listing and cover art for 'My Face Hurts from Smiling'
On June 24, 2025, Lizzo shared the track listing and cover art for her third mixtape, My Face Hurts from Smiling, slated for release on June 27.
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