Lizzo is giving Taylor Swift her flowers, specifically praising the superstar for her peerless ability to nurture a dedicated and interconnected fanbase. During her appearance on the Proto Pop web series this past Sunday, the Yitty founder highlighted how Swift has turned community-building into the bedrock of her enduring success.

In a candid conversation with influencer Zachary Hourihane—widely known as The Swiftologist—Lizzo reflected on a shift in her own priorities. Moving away from the pressure of chasing massive commercial metrics, the singer is now focusing on the core of her identity as an artist: “It’s really about who my fanbase is, who my community is, and who I’m speaking to directly.”

“I’m speaking to the Lizzbians,” she explained regarding her evolved creative strategy. “I’m speaking to my people. I’ve always admired Taylor for that—she has been operating that way for such a long time.”

Swift’s reputation for fostering deep, personal connections with her audience is legendary, spanning from intimate, post-show meet-and-greets during her early career to heartfelt social media interactions and thoughtful gestures, like hand-selecting gifts for fans. “It’s pure genius,” Lizzo remarked. “I’m not even sure if it was a calculated move from the start, but she built that foundation organically. Now, she has a powerful, unwavering community that truly has her back.”

Lizzo’s perspective on prioritizing loyalty over mass-market approval follows a period of reflection regarding her latest album, Bitch. The project, which did not secure a spot on the Billboard 200 or the Hot 100, prompted the artist to reevaluate her relationship with success. “When it dropped, I realized it wasn’t the reception I anticipated,” she admitted. “I spent a difficult 24 hours equating my self-worth to numbers, and it was a deeply soul-crushing experience.”

Ultimately, this realization has reinforced her commitment to her core audience. By centering her work on the people who matter most—her devoted fanbase—Lizzo is finding a renewed sense of purpose.

Watch the full, insightful discussion between Lizzo and The Swiftologist above.