Niamh Shackleton
Lizzo's speech at Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) gala has left people online divided.
The 'Truth Hurts' songstress attended the prestigious night yesterday, 21 September, and rocked up in a black sleeveless silk gown.
Lizzo, whose real name is Melissa Viviane Jefferson, went on to win the Quincy Jones Humanitarian Award and took to the stage to accept her award and say her thank yous.
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At the beginning of her speech, the 35-year-old said she 'needed this right now'.
"God’s timing is always on time! I’ve been blessed to receive a lot of incredible awards. But this one truly hits different because humanitarianism is selfless. And to be kind to someone isn’t a talent." she said.
Elsewhere in her speech, Lizzo discussed 'doing the right thing'.
The singer then said to the crowd: "It’s easy to do the right thing when everybody’s watching you.
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"But it’s what you do in those moments where nobody’s watching that defines who you are. I’m going to continue to be who I am, no matter who’s watching.
"I’m going to continue to amplify the voices of marginalized people because I have a microphone and I know how to use it."
But her speech has divided people online, with some hailing her words as 'ironic' and 'ridiculous'.
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"Lol this is so ridiculous," someone wrote.
"I find this beyond ironic! They just give these awards to anyone nowadays," added a second.
While another person echoed similar sentiments, writing: "The irony is crazy."
"The timing of this… priceless," continued someone else.
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But others voiced their congratulations to the 'About Damn Time' singer.
"Go lizzo!!!" someone said, while another wrote: "dope."
"Congrats to her" one viewer said.
And a fourth said the award was 'very deserved'.
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UNILAD has contacted Lizzo's reps for comment.
The comments come in the wake of Lizzo facing lawsuits from some of her former backup dancers.
Three of her ex-dancers filed the suit last month in Los Angeles Superior Court, where they accused the popular singer of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment.
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Lizzo now reportedly plans on countersuing them as the songstress has vehemently denied the allegations made against her.
“These last few days have been gut wrenchingly difficult and overwhelmingly disappointing,” she said in a statement at the time of their filing.
"My work ethic, morals and respectfulness have been questioned.
"My character has been criticized. Usually I choose not to respond to false allegations but these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous to not be addressed.
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"These sensationalized stories are coming from former employees who have already publicly admitted that they were told their behavior on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional."
Lizzo has also been named in another lawsuit filed by designer Asha Daniels.
In the legal documents, 35-year-old Daniels also accuses wardrobe manager, Amanda Nomura, of performing stereotypical impressions of Black women, and calling performers names such as ‘fat’, ‘useless’, and ‘dumb’.