Biography
Who is Lizzo?
Early life and education
Melissa Viviane Jefferson was born in Detroit, Michigan, on April 27, 1988. When she was ten years old, her family relocated to Houston, Texas. During her youth, she received classical training as a flutist for eight years, continuing this practice until she graduated from Alief Elsik High School in 2006. It was during these high school years that she first began rapping.
At the age of 14, she joined a musical group called Cornrow Clique alongside her friends. During this period, she adopted the stage name Lizzo, which was a variation of her nickname Lissa, inspired by the Jay-Z song Izzo (H.O.V.A.). She continued her musical studies at the University of Houston, where she focused on classical flute performance. However, she eventually dropped out and moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 2011 to pursue her music career.
Musical career beginnings
While living in Minneapolis, she performed with several groups, including the electro soul-pop duo Lizzo & the Larva Ink. She also helped organize an all-female rap and R&B trio called the Chalice. The group found local success with their 2012 album titled We Are the Chalice. Also, she was a member of the hip-hop group Grrrl Prty, which released two EPs before disbanding in 2016.
Her debut studio album, Lizzobangers, was released on October 15, 2013, and focused heavily on hip-hop. The project was produced by Ryan Olson and Lazerbeak. The album received positive critical attention and topped the Twin Cities Critics Tally list for 2013. Following this release, she toured across the United States and the United Kingdom, often opening for Har Mar Superstar.
Breakthrough and major success
In 2016, she signed a deal with Atlantic Records and released her major-label debut EP, Coconut Oil. This project marked a shift in her sound, exploring themes of body positivity and self-love. In 2019, she achieved big mainstream success with the release of her third studio album, Cuz I Love You. The album peaked at number four on the US Billboard 200 chart and earned her multiple Grammy Awards.
Several of her singles became viral hits, including Truth Hurts, which eventually reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100. She followed this success with her fourth studio album, Special, released in 2022, which featured the hit song About Damn Time. That track secured her a Grammy Award for Record of the Year.
Acting and television work
Beyond her music, she has pursued a career in acting and television. She provided a voice role for the 2019 animated film UglyDolls and appeared in the crime comedy-drama movie Hustlers the same year. She later ventured into reality television as the host and executive producer of the Amazon Prime Video series Lizzo's Watch Out for the Big Grrrls.
Her television work earned critical acclaim, including a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Competition Program. Throughout her career, she has consistently advocated for body inclusivity, especially by featuring plus-size dancers in her performances. Her contributions to music and entertainment led Time magazine to name her Entertainer of the Year in 2019.
Birthday and age
Lizzo was born on April 27, 1988, which makes Lizzo 38 years old today. That birthday falls under the Taurus sign. Lizzo shares the date with 59 other famous people.
Explore more
