Lizzo has changed the lyrics in her latest song after fans complained it used an ableist slur.
The 34-year-old singer released her new single 'Grrrls' on Friday (June 10), but was met with criticism for its use of a derogatory term for the condition spastic diplegia.
In the first verse, she sang: "Hold my bag, b***h, hold my bag / Do you see this s**t? I’m a s**z."
The term emerges from the word "spastic", which is used medically to describe the spasms one might experience from conditions such as cerebral palsy.
After the release of the single, fans and disability activists took to social media to condemn the lyric, with some calling on the musician to censor the offensive line.
Hannah Diviney, writer, and disability advocate wrote on Twitter: "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. ‘S**z’ doesn’t mean freaked out or crazy. It’s an ableist slur. It’s 2022. Do better."
Callum Stephen, writer, and autistic advocate also expressed his disappointment: "I’m disappointed in @lizzo for using the word 'sp@z' in her new song 'Grrrls'. There’s no excuse for using an ableist insult in a song in 2022. As someone who champions women, plus-size people, and others whom society treats poorly, Lizzo preaches inclusivity and should do better."
After receiving backlash over the weekend, Lizzo announced on Monday (June 13) that she heard the concerns and revised the lyrics.
"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 derogatory language," she said.
"As a fat black woman in America, I have had many hurtful words used against me so I understand the power words can have (whether intentionally, or in my case, unintentionally)," she continued.
The 'Truth Hurts' singer then announced that she was releasing a new version of 'Grrrls' that removed the ableist word and wrote: "This is the result of me listening and taking action."
"As an influential artist, I’m dedicated to being part of the change I’ve been waiting to see in the world," she signed off.
The previous version of 'Grrrls' has now been replaced on streaming services and digital stores with the new lyric "hold me back".
