Lizzo Clarifies the Evolution of Her Latest Album: It Wasn’t Shelved, It Was Reborn
Lizzo is setting the record straight regarding the fate of Love in Real Life. While many fans assumed the project was abandoned following her decision to pivot to last year’s mixtape, My Face Hurts From Smiling, the superstar reveals that the album has actually been hiding in plain sight all along.
In a candid conversation with Billboard, Lizzo addressed the rumors that she had scrapped her highly anticipated follow-up. “I think the biggest misconception is that I shelved Love in Real Life,” she explained. “I didn’t. [Bitch] is technically the same album—I simply changed the name. The music remains untouched.”
The Grammy winner noted that the decision to rebrand the record came down to the title track, which she ultimately cut from the final tracklist. According to Lizzo, the name change was a deliberate act of creative manifestation. “When you alter the title of something, you alter its destiny,” she shared, drawing a parallel to her own career evolution from Melissa to Lizzo. “I believe Bitch allows me to express myself exactly how I want to right now. Where Love in Real Life felt introspective and somber, Bitch radiates self-actualization, boldness, and empowerment.”
The path to Bitch has been non-linear. After teasing the era with singles like “Love in Real Life” and “Still Bad” in early 2025, Lizzo hit the brakes to prioritize her mixtape. Reflecting on that choice, she remarked, “By 2025, both I and the world had shifted. I realized I needed to follow my instincts.”
Beyond the studio, the multi-hyphenate artist has also been turning heads with an unexpected collaboration: a reimagining of the iconic Chili’s “Baby Back Ribs” jingle. Infused with her signature flute flair and fresh lyrics, the campaign features a playful, nostalgic spot that has already become a viral talking point.
Looking at the bigger picture, Lizzo remains philosophical about the music industry’s current climate. She believes that today’s “nostalgia-obsessed” culture makes it difficult for new music to receive immediate appreciation. “We’re in an era where everyone hates everything upon release,” she says. “You have to let things cook. I dropped my mixtape knowing it would appreciate in value—in five years, people will look back at My Face Hurts From Smiling and recognize it as a classic.”
Watch: Lizzo’s Chili’s Jingle
