Lizzo says Beyonce helped her with her depression

‘She is my North Star,’ the pop star says

Kate Ng
Tuesday 28 June 2022 13:03 EDT
Comments
Lizzo confesses listening to Beyonce helped her with depression

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Beyonce’s uplifting music was Lizzo’s “North Star” when she battled with depression, the “About Damn Time” singer has revealed.

Lizzo, 34, appeared in an episode of James Corden’s popular series Carpool Karaoke on Tuesday and opened up about the impact that Beyonce has had on her.

She said: “When I was shy or when I didn’t think I was cool, when I was getting picked on, I would listen to Beyonce in my bedroom and it would transport me.

“I would feel that my life was going to be better, there’s hope for me. When I dropped out of college and I was really depressed, I listened to ‘B’Day’ on repeat and I was like, I’m gonna be a singer.”

Lizzo, whose given name is Melissa Viviane Jefferson, previously spoke about her experience with dropping out of college and having to live out of her car for six months.

But Beyonce’s music helped the “Good As Hell” star discover what she wanted to do with her own artistry.

“The way she makes people feel is the way I wanna make people feel with music,” she told Corden. “She is my North Star.”

The singer said that she named her flute, an instrument she has been playing since she was 12, Sasha Floot after being inspired by Beyonce’s alter-ego Sasha Fierce.

After Lizzo said she had never met Beyonce, Corden pulled his phone out and suggested they call the iconic diva.

But he later admitted: “I’m joking, there’s no way I’ve got her phone number.”

Lizzo also revealed during the interview that she has “pissed a few family members off” by using cuss words in her songs and performing in revealing costumes while on stage.

She also often posts nearly-nude snaps of herself on Instagram with empowering messages for her 12.6 million followers.

The pop star said: “My cousin Pookie gets mad at me all the time. He’ll call my mum and say, ‘Hey, tell Melissa to put some clothes on’.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in