More and more celebrities are speaking up amid devastating violence, genocide and famine in Palestine, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Lizzo took to Instagram on Monday (May 13) to join the conversation.
“I just want to take a second and give a personal thank you to all of the activists who have been working tirelessly to help the liberation and the freedom of the people who have been genocided all over the world, specifically Palestine, Sudan and the Congo,” she shared in an Instagram video, speaking directly to the camera. “As someone who has worked closely with activists, I know the toll it can take on your mental and your physical and it can feel thankless so if you have not heard it today, thank you. Your work is not in vain. You have helped so many people, you have saved literal lives and, on a personal note, you have activated me.”
The “Special” singer added that she was “in a deep, dark depression” and “had some mental health crises and episodes” over the last year, which left her in “an emotional state where I could not process or handle anything. It was very dark.”
She continued, “I’m not saying this to make excuses, nor do I want sympathy. I just haven’t been able to be transparent with y’all in a long time. This has been weighing on my heart to share with y’all. The people in my life who love and care about me, they helped me get out of this dark space. I appreciate them, kind words from people on the internet, they really motivated me, but also the activism that I’ve been seeing has been extremely motivating. Y’all have really motivated me to get my a– up and get back to who I am.”
Lizzo concluded her message by shouting out the students who have been tirelessly protesting on college campuses, as well as organizations like Operation Olive Branch, which have been working to connect people directly with struggling Palestinian families. “I have been reaching out to activists seeing how I can help and stay tuned for more information on how you can help these ongoing genocides in the world because we ain’t free ’til we all free,” she shared.
Watch Lizzo’s full video below.
