When you’re winning, why even bother to address the naysayers?
That’s the approach taken by Lizzo, the singer-songwriter and rapper (as well as flutist!) who took the world by storm in 2016 with her hit single, “Good as Hell” – and hasn’t stopped racking up record sales, online followers and awards since.
She continued her years-long winning streak Sunday evening, when she took home the Video for Good award at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards. The recognition was in honor of the video for her song, “About Damn Time,” which celebrates survival through adversity.
Lizzo, famously body-positive and outspoken in defense of marginalized individuals, dedicated part of her speech to shutting down those who insult her appearance. And she did it by – brilliantly – refusing to speak to them directly. She noted to viewers that she’s often encouraged to fire back at the negative comments, but “I’m not gonna say nothing,” she asserted.
“Why don’t you clap back?” she asked rhetorically in response to those requests. “Because b*tch, I’m winning.”
Who can argue with that?
The VMAs proved to be a good night for women overall, with four female directors up for the Video of the Year award – the ceremony’s biggest honor. Superstar Taylor Swift, who ultimately won the category this year, made history herself by becoming the first person ever to snag the award three times.
In addition to lifting herself up, Lizzo used her time at the VMAs podium to encourage young voters who voiced their musical preferences to MTV to also head to the polls in November.
She told viewers that their votes mean “everything to make a change in this country.” Lizzo added, “So remember, when you’re voting for your favorite artists, vote to change some of these laws that are oppressing us.”
