Lizzo removed an offensive term for disabled people from her latest song after days of public criticism, saying she “never wanted to”[ed] to reinforce degrading language.”
GRRRLS, the latest track from the musician’s upcoming album Special, was released on Friday. In the opening clip, the pop star — best known for her songs championing acceptance and self-love — used the derogatory term for cerebral palsy, also known as spastic hemiplegia.
The song was almost immediately criticized by fans and disability advocates, with tweets and tiktoks explaining History and offensive nature of the term It is shared and liked hundreds of thousands of times.
Lizzo issued a public written apology on Monday.
“It has been brought to my attention that there is a harmful word in my new song GRRRLS. Let me make one thing clear: I never want to promote offensive language.” “As a fat black woman in America, many hurtful words have been used against me, so I understand the power of words you can have (whether on purpose, or in my case, unintentionally.)
She said she was proud to release a new version of the song with her lyrics changed.
“This is the result of my listening and taking action,” she wrote. “As an influential artist, I have dedicated myself to being a part of the change I have been waiting to see in the world.”
Since the song has not yet been released as an actual purchase, the previous version of GRRRLS on streaming services and digital stores has been replaced with a new song called “Hack Me.”
Special is scheduled for release in July.
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