Lizzo’s acceptance speech at the Grammys was perhaps the most unrelentingly joyful of the night, bringing nearly every star in the audience to their feet.
The singer took home the award for record of the year for “About Damn Time,” a catchy anthem from her latest album “Special.” She also dedicated the award to her idol, Prince, with whom she had collaborated prior to his death in 2016.
“When Prince died, I decided to devote my life to making positive music,” Lizzo, who won three Grammys in 2020, said. “This was at a time when positive music was not widely available. I felt very misunderstood … but I stayed true to myself. Because I wanted to make the world a better place, so I had to be that change to Improve the world.
Lizzo
“I’d like to believe that we are not only capable of doing good, but that we are good,” Lizzo said. “We are inherently good.”
Lizzo spent every second of her time onstage praising her fellow performers and exuding joy. She maintained her cool until she turned her gaze to Beyoncé, who was standing on her feet in the audience. Lizzo held back tears as she spoke directly to Bey, recalling skipping school in fifth grade to see Beyoncé perform.
“You changed my life,” Lizzo told Bey, who won her 32nd Grammy on Sunday. “I was like, ‘I want to make people feel this way with my music,’ because of how you made me feel.”
Beyoncé cheered her on from the audience as Lizzo performed.
“We won a f******g Grammy!” exclaimed the group.