Rising from the Ashes and as “Bad” as Ever: Lizzo
Posted on April 24, 2025
Joey Chou
After 2019’s “Truth Hurts,” 2022’s “About Damn Time,” and a 2-year hiatus, Lady Lizzo has returned with two new singles “Still Bad” and “Love in Real Life.” Asia Pop 40 connected with her to talk about the new her.
What’s it like to get back into performing after two years away?
Yeah, I played my first show in two years. I did a little mini tour in L.A., Minneapolis and New York, and it was so amazing to be around my fans again. I had to learn how to be a performer again. I mean, I never really forget, but I was so nervous before the first show. My stomach was doing flips. I was like, how do I be myself again? But once I get out there, it’s like riding a bike. It all came back to me.
Did you get a new look for the music videos? Did you get a perm?
This is natural. I don’t have to perm it (laugh). But I will say this: I had a lot of fun coming up different looks. I wanted “Love in Real Life” to look super 80s, you know, Michael Jackson, Cher… And then I wanted “Still Bad” to just be fantasy baddy in the forest. So I had a lot of fun playing with the looks. I had a lot of fun with the red paint freckles on my face. And I thought that was so cute. I kind of want to do that again for Halloween. I felt like a strawberry shortcake.
In the music video there seems to be choreography inspired by Michael Jackson. And, of course you’ve worked with Prince before, mentored by him, even. Which of these two musical icon is your biggest idol?
Do you have to choose? We’re so lucky and fortunate to live in a time where they both were the kings of what they did. And I think that there was a lot of Prince, I think there was a lot of Michael, I think there was a lot of Cher. I think there was a lot of Tina (Turner) I think there was a lot of those influences. It wasn’t like I was trying, but they just, you know, I grew up with them. I know them so well that it just comes out of me.
Speaking of influences, you’re about to play Sister Rosetta Tharpe in a movie, a very influential figure in Gospel, rhythm-and-blues, and rock-and-roll. Is that in production?
Funny enough. The more that I’ve researched about Sister Rosetta Tharpe, I learned that we have a lot of similarities. We both grew up in the exact same church of God in Christ, so the Pentecostal Church, which is a very specific sect of the Baptist Church, and we have very specific hymns and songs and gospels that we’ve been singing for 100 years. So, I felt very, very close to her in that way. We have not even started shooting yet. We are not even in pre production. I have to still release my album and tour my album. So, we’re here to put her stamp down, and we’re here to make her the legend that she is.
You’ve won an Emmy and multiple Grammys. Now that you’re shooting a movie, are you going after the EGOT title (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Toni Awards)?
You know, what’s so funny? I never aimed for the first two. I didn’t aim for a Grammy. I didn’t aim for an Emmy. And I’m not going to aim for an Oscar. I’m going to aim for the best possible biopic, the best story, the best film, the best performance, the best music and the best experience. And that’s enough for me. That’s my trophy. And I’m not just saying that to be that girl, because I could sit up and be like, “Yeah, I’m about to get an EGOT.” But that’s just not the way I operate. I just want to make the best film ever and honor Sister Rosetta Tharpe.
That’s good work ethics. Finally, how are you celebrating your birthday on April 27th?
Oh, honey…probably working. I’m probably going to be working. And I’ll probably go see Beyonce (concert).
