On Tuesday, Lizzo received the People’s Champion Award at the Santa Monica ceremony, where her mom presented her with the trophy. In her acceptance speech, she showed viewers exactly why she earned the award.
The singer was awarded two trophies, including song of the year for “About Damn Time.” It was her People’s Champion award, and her following comments, that had people talking.
“She has shown us all that we don’t have to conform to anyone’s standards in order to be happy, to be creative and to feel worthy,” Lizzo’s mom said of her daughter. “I know that Lizzo has literally saved lives. No one is more deserving of this honor. I am so proud of her.”
The sweet moments didn’t end there. The singer highlighted 17 female activists when accepting the award by both shouting them out and bringing them on stage.
“I’m going to be honest, when I first heard about this award, I was on the fence about whether I should accept,” she said. “Because, if I’m the people’s champ, I don’t need a trophy for championing people. You know what I’m saying?”
She continued, “I’m here tonight, because to be an icon isn’t about how long you’ve had your platform. Being an icon is what you do with that platform. And ever since the beginning of my career I’ve used my platform to amplify marginalized voices.”
“I am sharing this honor,” she went on. “Make some noise for the people, y’all. These are all the activists and people that I think deserve the spotlight.”
With that, Lizzo encouraged the audience to raise the roof as she introduced to the stage a variety of human rights advocates, freedom fighters, artists, walking inspirations, each of whom she named. The guests of honor included: Mari Copeny, Shirley Raines, Yasmine Aker, Emiliana Guereca, Esther Young Lim, Felicia “Fe” Montes, Jayla Rose Sullivan, Kara Roselle Smith, Maggie Mireles Thomas, Amelia Bonow, Odilia Romero, Tarlan Rabizadeh, Sahar Pirzada, Chandi Moore, Crystal Echo Hawk, Reshma Saujani and Tamika Palmer.
On stage, Lizzo called out the “senseless and despicable gun violence that has become far too common,” and asked for organizers and onlookers to give the activists “their flowers.”
The singer ended with, “Power will always be to the people. Thank you so much People’s Choice. Follow them, follow them and support them.”
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