American singer-songwriter Melissa Jefferson, better known by her stage name Lizzo, was BOTD in 1988. Born in Detroit, Michigan, she was raised in Texas, where she became interested in music. At age 14, she formed the female rap group Cornrow Clique, adopting the stage name “Lizzo”, an amalgam of her first name and JAY-Z’s 2001 song Izzo (H.O.V. A.) She won a scholarship to study music at the University of Houston, leaving before graduation to pursue a rap career. She moved to Minneapolis in 2011, co-founding female rap groups The Chalice and Grrrl Prty, and worked with Prince on his album Plectrumelectrum. She released her first solo album Lizzobangers in 2013, creating an upbeat blend of R&B, pop and rap with positive lyrics about self-acceptance. Her 2019 album Cuz I Luv You, featuring the single Truth Hurts, topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart and won three Grammy Awards. She repeated her success with 2022’s Special, her first album to reach No 1 on Billboard, while her single About Damn Time won two Grammys including Record of the Year. Her other projects include a cameo in the 2019 film Hustlers and contributing a song to the soundtrack of the 2023 film Barbie. She has attracted a loyal fanbase for her candid discussions about struggling with depression and obesity, and for promoting a body-positive image for plus-sized women. In 2022, she appeared in the TV reality series Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls, documenting her search for plus-sized dancers to join her tour, and the documentary Love, Lizzo. She has also nurtured an extensive queer fanbase, identifying as an LGBTQ ally and dropping hints about her possible bisexuality. In 2023, Lizzo was sued by three of her back-up dancers for sexual and racial harassment, creating a hostile work environment and fat-shaming. She denied all accusations, and largely withdrew from public life pending resolution of the case. Her next album is due for release in 2025.