Popstar Lizzo’s April 21 leg of “The Special 2our” was quite remarkable. The “Grrrls” singer performed at the Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, TN, where she invited drag performers to her stage and gave a speech that practically flipped off the state’s HB 9 (SB 3).
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee enacted a new law that prohibited “adult cabaret performances,” meaning “performances in a location other than an adult cabaret that features topless dancers, go-go dancers, exotic dancers, strippers, male or female impersonators who provide entertainment that appeals to prurient interest, or similar entertainers.”
It’s an attack on drag queens.
Lee’s actions didn’t sit right with Lizzo, causing the “Truth Hurts” hitmaker to show solidarity with drag queens and the LGBTQIA+ community by inviting drag performers on stage.
She shared the powerful moment on her Instagram and wrote in the caption, “Knoxville, you have my heart. Thank you for creating a safe space with me.”
In the video, she paused the show to give a heart-melting speech.
“In light of recent and tragic events and current events, I was told by people on the internet, ‘Cancel your shows in Tennessee,’ ‘Don’t go to Tennessee,'” Lizzo told the audience, who started to “boo.” “You don’t have to boo that person. Their reason was valid, but why would I not come to the people who need to hear this message the most? … Why would I not create a safe space in Tennessee where we can celebrate drag entertainers and celebrate our differences? And celebrate fat Black women?”
She continued, “What people in Tennessee are doing is giving hope, so thank you so much for standing up for your rights, protecting each other and holding the people accountable who should be protecting us.”
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Many people in her comments praised her for her support.
