Lizzo called out for using "ableist slur" in "Grrrls" lyrics

Last Friday (10 June) Lizzo released her second Special album single "Grrrls". The Max Martin, Benny Blanco, Pop Wansel, ILYA and Blake Slatkin-produced song has seen been criticised online, with some users highlighting an "ableist slur" in the lyrics.

One user wrote, "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. ‘Spaz’ doesn’t mean freaked out or crazy. It’s an ableist slur. It’s 2022. Do better."

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. ‘Spaz’ doesn’t mean freaked out or crazy. It’s an ableist slur. It’s 2022. Do better.

— Hannah Diviney (@hannah_diviney) June 12, 2022

Another person tweeted, "Really disappointing that Lizzo has written an empowerment “anthem” for women but in the first verse she uses the word sp*z, empowering one group doesn’t mean you can use ableist language."

really disappointing that Lizzo has written an empowerment “anthem” for women but in the first verse she uses the word sp*z, empowering one group doesn’t mean you can use ableist language

— Hol (@vvitcherii) June 11, 2022

"I’m disappointed in Lizzo for using the word "sp@z" in her new song "Grrrls"," another user wrote. "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."

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.

— Callum Stephen (He/Him) (@AutisticCallum_) June 11, 2022

Another tweet read: "So disappointed to see Lizzo using an ableist slur in her latest song… We don’t not need language like this normalised, especially when disabled people struggle to fight off so much stigma on a daily basis. DO BETTER this was so unnecessary and is such a set back."

So disappointed to see @lizzo using an ableist slur in her latest song…

We don’t not need language like this normalised, especially when disabled people struggle to fight off so much stigma on a daily basis.

DO BETTER this was so unnecessary and is such a set back

— Ella Willis (@EllaEllaaW) June 11, 2022