Celebrity
Beyoncé Accused Of Thinking She’s “Above Criticism” After Using The Same Ableist Slur That Lizzo Was Called Out For
In June, Lizzo was praised when she swiftly changed the lyrics to her single “Grrrls” after learning that the original words were considered offensive to people with disabilities.
The track was a lead single from her fourth studio album Special, which came out last month, and it immediately sparked backlash for its opening.
“Hold my bag, bitch / Hold my bag / Do you see this shit? / I’mma spaz,” the song began. The use of the word “spaz” was criticized by listeners.
In fact, it wasn’t long before “Grrrls” was trending on TikTok as users called Lizzo out for the ableist lyric.
The term is viewed as an incredibly offensive slur against people with disabilities.
It is also used as a verb to describe the act of losing physical and emotional control, which is how Lizzo intended it in her single.
But regardless of Lizzo’s intentions, fans argued that the word’s loaded connotations should have been enough for her not to include it in the lyrics.
One person tweeted at the time: “@lizzo please re-release ‘Grrrls’ without the ableist slur. That word is not kind to disabled people. Your music is global and you have a voice folks listen to. We are trusting and asking you to release it without the slur.”
@lizzo please re-release “grrrls” without the ablist slur. That word is not kind to disabled people. Your music is global and you have a voice folks listen to. We are trusting and asking you to release it without the slur.
xo
a disabled person who just wants to enjoy music
“Hey @lizzo my disability Cerebral Palsy is literally classified as Spastic Diplegia (where spasticity refers to unending painful tightness in my legs) your new song makes me pretty angry + sad,” another said. “‘Spaz’ doesn’t mean freaked out or crazy. It’s an ableist slur. It’s 2022. Do better.”
Hey @lizzo my disability Cerebral Palsy is literally classified as Spastic Diplegia (where spasticity refers to unending painful tightness in my legs) your new song makes me pretty angry + sad. ‘Spaz’ doesn’t mean freaked out or crazy. It’s an ableist slur. It’s 2022. Do better.
Someone else wrote: “If you’ve never been bullied and called a spazz or a spastic because of your disability you don’t get to decide whether Lizzo’s new song is offensive or not. Kindly sit the fuck down.”
Here man if you’ve never been bullied and called a spazz or a spastic because of your disability you don’t get to decide whether Lizzo’s new song is offensive or not. Kindly sit the fuck down.
Others claimed that they genuinely had no idea that the word was offensive and argued that Lizzo was probably just as unaware when she wrote the song.
@Shelbykinsxo I’m just now finding out that word is offensive I doubt Lizzo meant any harm
But the star did not attempt to justify or excuse the lyrics when she reacted to the backlash, and was nothing but respectful and apologetic to those who had taken offense.
In fact, Lizzo wasted no time in issuing a statement addressing the backlash and was proactive in rerecording “Grrrls” with a lyric change for immediate release.
“It’s 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 derogatory language,” the statement read. “As a fat black woman in America, I’ve had many hurtful words used against me so I overstand the power words can have (whether intentionally or in my case, unintentionally). I’m proud to say there’s a new version of ‘Grrrls’ with a lyric change.”
“This is the result of me listening and taking action. As an influential artist dedicated to being part of the change I’ve been waiting to see in the world,” she added.
The amended version of “Grrrls” opens with: “Hold my bag, bitch / Hold my bag / Do you see this shit? / Hold me back.”
Lizzo was celebrated for the way that she handled the situation, with many thanking the singer for being receptive to the criticism and taking action without making any excuses.
Some even said that other celebrities should “take note” of Lizzo’s actions, with one writing: “Lizzo just displayed how to learn and fix your mistakes with grace. She did the right thing when being met with deserved criticism, and I hope other artists take note.”
Lizzo just displayed how to learn and fix your mistakes with grace. She did the right thing when being met with deserved criticism, and I hope other artists take note
But just weeks later, music lovers found themselves embroiled in the ableist discourse all over again when Beyoncé used the same slur in a song from her new album, Renaissance, which was released on Friday.
While the album has won high praise from critics and fans alike, Beyoncé’s inclusion of the lyrics “Spazzing on that ass / Spaz on that ass” in her song “Heated” was not well received.
In addition to the initial backlash of Beyoncé using the offensive term in the first place, there was confusion over her choice to include the slur in her new release in spite of the reaction to Lizzo less than two months earlier.
Many argued that even if Beyoncé had missed the headlines personally, it’s highly unlikely that nobody on her team, or amid the song’s 11 writers and nine producers, would have seen the backlash.
And some claimed that the decision to go ahead with the lyrics despite the response to Lizzo suggested that everyone involved believed that Beyoncé was “above criticism.”
“Did Beyoncé not learn from Lizzo first?! Lizzo just went through this and corrected it IMMEDIATELY and Beyoncé still thought she could get away with it? Bruh come on,” one person tweeted.
Did Beyoncé not learn from Lizzo first?! Lizzo just went through this and corrected it IMMEDIATELY and Beyoncé still thought she could get away with it? Bruh come on.
“The disabled community does not have the energy for people to not learn their lessons,” another added. “We just had this issue with Lizzo a month ago how did Beyoncé learn nothing from that. I already have chronic fatigue I don’t have to energy to explain multiple times why words are offensive.”
The disabled community does not have the energy for people to not learn their lessons. We just had this issue with Lizzo a month ago how did Beyoncé learn nothing from that. I already have chronic fatigue I don’t have to energy to explain multiple times why words are offensive
“Really disappointed to see the music industry remain ignorant despite education provided and requested. Learn from Lizzo, Beyoncé,” one more said. “Language is powerful.”
There’s nothing wrong with ignorance as long as you’re willing to accept you may be wrong. Education is power.
Really disappointed to see the music industry remain ignorant despite education provided and requested. Learn from Lizzo, Beyoncé.
Language is powerful.
And UK disability charity Scope also called Beyoncé out in a statement. Retweeting its previously issued statement about “Grrrls,” it added: “It’s all the more surprising that she’s used this word, given the enormous response to Lizzo’s song ‘Grrrls’ in June. Thankfully, Lizzo did the right thing and re-recorded the song. It’s hard to believe that could have gone unnoticed by Beyoncé’s team.”
It’s all the more surprising that she’s used this word, given the enormous response to Lizzo’s song ‘Grrrls’ in June.
Thankfully, Lizzo did the right thing and re-recorded the song. It’s hard to believe that could have gone unnoticed by Beyoncé’s team. https://t.co/8QlAaSy0jK
“After the outcry from Lizzo using the word ‘sp@z’, I can’t believe that nobody in Beyoncé’s team was aware of how hurtful the word is to many within the disabled community. Surely one of ‘Heated’s 11 writers and 10 producers must have known?” someone else asked.
After the outcry from Lizzo using the word “sp@z”, I can’t believe that nobody in Beyoncé’s team was aware of how hurtful the word is to many within the disabled community. Surely one of ‘Heated’s 11 writers and 10 producers must have known?
“Honestly fuck Beyonce,” another tweeted. “There’s absolutely NO way her and her team didn’t know sp*z is a slur considering we just did the discourse w/ Lizzo. The fact that stans are patting her on the back for ‘listening & responding swiftly’ NO! THEY KNEW! They just figured she’s above criticism.”
Honestly fuck Beyonce. There’s absolutely NO way her and her team didn’t know sp*z is a slur considering we just did the discourse w/ Lizzo. The fact that stans are patting her on the back for ‘listening & responding swiftly’ NO! THEY KNEW! They just figured she’s above criticism
“It’s very hard to believe neither Beyoncé nor anyone in her team didn’t recognise the ableist slur when Lizzo very publicly made the same mistake a month ago (and graciously corrected it). Exhausting,” one more tweeted.
It’s very hard to believe neither Beyoncé nor anyone in her team didn’t recognise the ableist slur when Lizzo very publicly made the same mistake a month ago (and graciously corrected it). Exhausting. https://t.co/FYtKeiXayH
Following the backlash, Beyoncé did the same as Lizzo and promised to change the lyrics of “Heated.”
A representative for the star told Insider on Monday: “The word, not used intentionally in a harmful way, will be replaced.”
“That’s great to hear but it’s shouldn’t have taken this happening *again* so soon after the Lizzo lyric change,” one person tweeted in response to the alteration. “Maybe now we can learn from these incidents, drop words like this one & make sure there don’t need to be any more retrospective lyric changes?”
That’s great to hear but it’s shouldn’t have taken this happening *again* so soon after the Lizzo lyric change.
Maybe now we can learn from these incidents, drop words like this one & make sure there don’t need to be any more retrospective lyric changes? https://t.co/sDwmnqMlW1
“Appalling,” someone else wrote. “What was she even thinking? Did she learn nothing from the Lizzo episode?”
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Andrea Caamano
The Strictly Come Dancing couple are spending Christmas apart, with Dianne Buswell in Australia and Joe Sugg in England
Joe Sugg and Dianne Buswell might be thousands of miles apart this Christmas, but they are still very much on each other’s minds.
Whilst the Strictly Come Dancing pro partner has been gushing about reuniting with her parents, her brothers and her nieces, and hitting the beach, Joe has returned to Somerset to spend time with friends and family.
The 31-year-old has been documenting his “wonderful trip to the shire” and couldn’t help but send girlfriend Dianne a hidden message.
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Whilst gushing about his stay “at the amazing Court Farm”, a lovingly restored 16th Century farmhouse in Somerset, Joe sent Dianne a décor hint, revealing: “I kinda want our house to look like this!“
Joe has travelled to Somerset to see family and friends
The gorgeous bedroom, as shown in a photo posted on his Instagram Stories, boasts a superking bed under a vintage chandelier, with an authentic barn door which opens onto a bathroom with both a huge walk-in shower and contemporary roll top bath.
Joe also praised the log burner, keeping him warm during his stay. “You cannot beat a good log burner this time of year,” he wrote.
The couple fell in love whilst taking part on Strictly Come Dancing
The theme would no doubt work well in Joe and Dianne’s country home in Sussex. The couple met on Strictly in 2018 and swapped their London flat for their first home together complete with a beautiful garden boasting uninterrupted country views.
Joe went on to reveal to his followers that he was visiting Lacock, a village in the county of Wiltshire.
“Forever grateful for this beautiful village where I grew up,” he said.
He then visited The Lacock Bakery and showed its gorgeous window display, which featured a copy of his book, Grow: How Nature Can Restore Balance in a Busy World.
“I used to go to this bakery as a toddler in my pushchair and now look! I left a special message in this book,” he remarked.
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Hannah Hargrave
World News Tonight anchor David Muir has fans wondering if he’s found love
ABC star David Muir has long kept fans guessing about his personal life, refusing to share details online or across social media sites like many of his colleagues. But fans do know that David is still on the market and he’s not married, although it remains unclear if he is even dating.
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In fact, as the video below explains, despite being connected to several other high profile TV personalities, there’s only one certain someone who does take up David’s time…
Despite numerous reports of romance for the World News Tonight anchor, David has always refused to publicly address his love life, but has been vocal about a number of leading ladies who he holds dear to his heart.
Kelly Ripa is one of those special people, so much so that the Live with Kelly and Ryan star paid a heartfelt tribute to David in her book, Live Wire.
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An extract from the book – which is released on 27 September – was posted on Kelly’s Instagram Stories over the weekend, and the message is included on a page of acknowledgements.
It read: “To David Muir, you are the backbone and moral compass I need sometimes.”
Kelly and David have been close friends for years
His fellow ABC star, Amy Robach, is also a firm favorite of David’s and they have been known to spend time together both on and off-screen.
His sister, Rebecca, is close with David and he calls his many nieces and nephews his “squad,” and says he’s incredibly proud of all of them.
At home, it’s his beloved gun dog, Axel, who has his heart, as he regularly shares adorable photos with the pup, who he is clearly besotted with.
That’s not to say he hasn’t had his fair share of marriage proposals though! Not a day goes by when he isn’t flooded with compliments from his adoring fans on social media.
But alas, the dedicated journalist is practically married to his job, leaving little time for love!
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Jenni McKnight
Today star Al Roker shared some sad news with fans on Thursday as he mourned the death of legendary producer Thom Bell
Al Roker shared some sad news with fans on Thursday as he paid an emotional tribute to an influential figure in his life.
The Today star – who made a shock departure announcement this week – took to Instagram to pay his respects to legendary Jamaican-born Philadelphian producer, arranger, and songwriter Thom Bell, who sadly died aged 79, although his cause of death has not been disclosed.
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Sharing a photo of Thom, Al wrote: “Legendary Philadelphia producer Thom Bell passing away at 79. His music was the soundtrack of my life.
“From The Spinners, The O’Jays, The Delfonics, The Stylistics to Elton John, he was part of that distinctive Sound Of Philadelphia. Thank you for your gift.”
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Many of Al’s followers were saddened by the news and left crying-face and praying hand emojis in the comments as well as paying their own emotional tributes to the late music star.
Al paid tribute to Thom Bell
“Such a tremendous loss of an amazing talent that was able to capture and create a sound like no other,” replied one. A second wrote: “Rest in Peace. Love the music you shared with us. Prayers for his family.”
A third shared their condolences while also wishing Al a speedy recovery, writing: “Sad news – wonderful legacy. I hope you are continuing to feel better and stronger. @todayshow is not the same without you.”
It’s been a particularly hard time for Al over the past few weeks, as not only has he been recovering after having blood clots on his lungs, but he also faced the devastating news that his sister Patricia had passed away shortly after he was discharged from hospital.
Al is recovering at home with his family
The TV star, who has been a part of Today for over 25 years, was admitted to the hospital shortly after Thanksgiving due to blood clots and remained hospitalized for over two weeks.
Al, who has taken an absence from the show ever since, gave an update to viewers from home last week. “It has been a tough slog. I’m not going to lie. It has been the hardest one yet and I’ve had my share of surgeries.
He continued: “I have a lot of things and people to be thankful for. It gives you a profound sense of gratitude for this outpouring of prayers and thanks.”
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