Whoopi Goldberg defends Lizzo after she's attacked for her weight: 'I'm thrilled that she's a big-figured woman'
Lizzo’s music must make Whoopi Goldberg feel “good as hell.”
Goldberg defended the musician after fitness guru Jillian Michaels attacked her for her weight during a recent interview with BuzzFeed News.
Michaels questioned why people need to “celebrate” Lizzo’s body and cautioned that her weight could lead to health issues.
“Why do we need to celebrate her body? Why does it matter?” asked Michaels. She added, “Why aren’t we celebrating her music? Because it isn’t going to be awesome if she gets diabetes. I’m just being honest. I love her music, and my kid loves her music, but there’s never a moment when I’m like, ‘I’m so glad she’s overweight!’”
Lizzo posted on Instagram shortly after Michaels’ comments went viral, saying in part: “This is my life. I have done nothing wrong. I forgive myself for thinking I was wrong in the first place. I deserve to be happy.”
Michaels told TMZ she stands by her comments, and responded to the backlash in a Twitter post:
— Jillian Michaels (@JillianMichaels) January 9, 2020
Goldberg echoed the sentiment of many fans when she defended the singer on Thursday’s episode of The View.
“I’m thrilled that she’s a big-figured woman. I’m thrilled that she is and that she has no compunction about wearing whatever she wants to wear and she’s comfortable,” said Goldberg.
She added, “I do celebrate her.”
Co-host Joy Behar noted, “Jillian Michaels is entitled to her opinion, but not everyone can be a skinny bi***.”
Twitter exploded with reactions to Michaels’ comments and Goldberg’s defense, and many agreed with The View co-host:
People should mind their own weight and their own business. Lizzo asked nobody for their commentary on her body.
— GaiGaiBae (@gaigaibabe) January 9, 2020
Let's be real @JillianMichaels is just jealous of @lizzo cause she knows all the training and weight loss in the world and she'll never be fit enough to dance in heels, sing, and play the flute like Lizzo does. One of them has a more physically demanding job and it ain't Jillian
— Jess (@jessyish) January 9, 2020
Lizzo performs rigorous dance routines while maintaining breath control and belting, and also plays the flute in between. For an hour. Every day on tour, plus practices and other performances. She is highly athletic. Jillian is just fatphobic. 🥱 https://t.co/GPiH4ra4JC
— jordyn (@J0RDYNLYRIC) January 9, 2020
But others said Michaels was right and that sometimes the “truth hurts”:
I agree with Jillian’s comments, It’s about health. Lizzo needs to listen and get healthy or she won’t be around for any more singing career.
— Angel Love (@Angel3Bella) January 9, 2020
Jillian is so right in this. She just thew diabetes out there as a quick example when it could be so many other obese related illness and people are jumping on diabetes because they don’t want to admit the truth. She meant no harm and spoke the truth. #Lizzo #JillianMichaels
— Psaratt (@Sunshineonetwo) January 9, 2020
Lizzo isn’t healthy, Jillian is.
— Mr. Tommy (@TeflonTommy2) January 9, 2020
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