Lizzo’s recent return to the spotlight, following what she called a “dark” time, is stirring mixed emotions.

In the face of legal battles involving allegations of harassment and hostile work environments, her re-emergence onto the cultural stage leaves many wondering: Is this a comeback rooted in healing—or a strategic move to overshadow controversy?

Lizzo has long been a symbol of empowerment, body positivity and unapologetic self-love. Her presence in pop culture was refreshing for many of us who rarely see women who look like her commanding the stage. She wasn’t just a performer; she was a movement.

But with power comes great responsibility. The lawsuits against her painted a troubling picture that contrasts with the persona she built—the persona of someone who empowered others to accept their bodies and so much more.

While everyone deserves due process, it’s hard to ignore how her return is carefully crafted. A soft reentry via social media and a polished performance just in time for headlines to shift—this doesn’t feel accidental. It feels calculated.

Perhaps it’s both. Maybe Lizzo is healing while also reclaiming her narrative. Artists are often caught between their truth and brand, especially in today’s digital era. The pressure to stay relevant, marketable and “clean” in the public eye is relentless, particularly for Black women.

So it may be that Lizzo’s return isn’t just about deflecting from lawsuits; perhaps it’s about reclaiming power in the only way she knows how—through performance.

Yet, I think accountability and authenticity have to coexist. If this comeback is genuine, Lizzo must address the pain she caused, not just the pain her career endured. True healing can’t happen in the spotlight unless it first happens in the shadows.

As someone who sees art as divine and believes in the resurrection—not just in spirit but in career—I’m watching, not to tear down but to witness whether this comeback will be performative or profound.

Amyri Jones is a 23-year-old digital advertising and religious studies senior from Baton Rouge, La.