Days after her bombshell “I quit” statement, Lizzo, whose real name is Melissa Viviane Jefferson, has shared an essay about “feelings.”
The ‘Truth Hurts’ artist recently made headlines after taking to social media to say she is sick of “being dragged by everyone in my life and on the internet,” adding, “I Quit.”
She later clarified that she meant she was quitting “giving any negative energy attention.” Now, she is grabbing fans’ attention once again, this time by sharing an essay she wrote about feelings, which is seemingly about herself.
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‘Melissa Hated Her Feelings’
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The essay titled, ‘Melissa Hated Her Feelings’, begins with:
“She buried them in a chest in the 5th grade (along with her ability to express them). Other peoples’ feelings on the other hand [were] her forte. She could process, decipher and regurgitate other people’s emotions effortlessly. This gift could’ve taken her through college, all the way to a degree in psychology.”
“Distinguished Dr. Jefferson with a PhD and a cozy office and [an] impressive roster of high-profile, wealthy clients was a shiny idea,” the essay continued. “Fate would have a different hand for Melissa her talents were exhausted on mediating family fights, friend group drama, and charming her way out of confronting her own feelings.
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Now, of course, Lizzo’s real name is Melissa, so it seems this essay is about her and her childhood.
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Is Lizzo Referencing Her Childhood In Her New Essay?
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The essay further explains how Melissa had three rules when her family was in a “living room brawl.”
1.) Don’t cry.
2.) Stay neutral; De-escalate
3.) Don’t take anything personal. This isn’t about you
“She broke rule number 1,” she wrote. “Her father, Michael was proud and angry, his big belly filled with self-righteousness. She knew he would be unyielding in his resolve and at this point, her only option was to de-escalate.”
“Rule number 2’,” she continued. “Then her sister the water sign and calamity for the evening sat on the floor nearly fetal, face red and raw with emotion.”
According to the essay, Melissa wanted to tell her sister, “It’s not your fault. You just didn’t follow the rules… you’re loved,” but she couldn’t tell her that because if she did, she’d be breaking rule number 3.
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‘She Was Strong’
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Later in the essay, Lizzo explained how “traumas began to compact on Melissa, as they do.”
Adding, “Humans tend to collect traumas like pebbles on a long hike. We toss them into our backpacks and keep moving forward. Some hikers would falter, but Melissa was built for this. She’d carried the stones of her family’s traumas uphill for years. She was strong.”
The essay went on to tell more details and stories of Melissa’s childhood before concluding with:
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“Melissa began to fall for her feelings. Her feelings gave life purpose. They weren’t always logical, as feelings seldom are. They were sloppy and embarrassing and rude and so f—ing uncomfortable. But they were hers. And they were real. And when she sat alone sipping wine, staring at the moon…They were the only ones still by her side. Ready to break the rules for her because they loved her.
And she finally loved them back.”
Fans Thanks Lizzo For Being Vulnerable
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“You are brave Mija,” one of Lizzo’s fans said as another wrote, “We need more essays of pure vulnerability thank you.”
A third expressed, “Love you, Lizzo. You always know you’re living an authentic life when people (men) get angry. They know who really owns their power, and it ain’t them.”
“I’m glad that Lizzo is being open about her life experiences with us. Healing truly is a beautiful journey,” another one of her followers wrote.
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Lizzo Receives Praise For Sharing Her Essay
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The comments didn’t stop there as other fans shared things such as “Such a healthy way to release my Queen! I love that you are writing. Let me go read,” and “Keep going. You are not alone.”
Another expressed, “I love that you share your writing. I think it’s good to live life how you want, not how you’re expected to by the invisible rules others put on you.”
“It gives [a] healthy coping mechanism, very proud! I hope it inspires someone else to do the same,” one of her fans said.
Read Lizzo’s full essay here.