Lizzo Sends Powerful Message During Live Performance

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| LAST UPDATE 09/27/2021

By Joyce Ballard
Lizzo Global Citizen Performance
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Lizzo rocked the stage in Central Park on September 25th for this year's Global Citizen Festival. The Grammy-winner stunned in a skin-tight, hot pink catsuit as she performed some of her hit tracks, from Good as Hell to Juice. But in typical Lizzo fashion, the performance wasn't complete without a powerful message that got us all in our feels.

Lizzo Racism Global Citizen
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This year, Global Citizen's goal was to "help end COVID-19... protect the planet, [and] advance equity for all," according to the event's official website. And Lizzo had a little something to add about where the New York branch of the festival took place. "Thank you so much to Global Citizen for having me," the 33-year-old expressed.

Global Citizen Performances 2021
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"You know, big Black girl from Detroit by way of Houston, Texas, doing big ass things with my life. I'm just so grateful every time I can step on the stage and sing for y'all. Thank you so much," she continued. "And now I'm a rich bitch, that's exciting, that's never happened." But it looks like the Rumors singer has been thinking a lot about what to do with all of her moolah.

Lizzo talks about racism
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"I'll be like, 'What kind of rich bitch do I want to be?' And I decided I want to be a philanthropist," Lizzo shared. "I want to give back. Why would god give me so much if I can't give it back? So thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to give back."

Lizzo social justice message
Kevin Mazur / Contributor via Getty Images

Then Lizzo discussed how the stage where she stood, located in what's now NYC's Central Park, would've once been part of Seneca Village. The primarily African American neighborhood existed until the mid-1800s when people were kicked out of the area to build Central Park. "As we talk about climate change and making the world a better place and solving homelessness, we also have to talk about the institutionalized racism that happens in this country all the time," the superstar said.

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Lizzo live performance, news
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"And if we don't talk about our history constructively, how can we build a better future?" Lizzo asked the crowd. "It's time to talk about things, and it's time to make a change. And it starts within. You got to better yourself, so you can be better to others." Retweet!

Check out this year's other performances on Global Citizen's official YouTube page.