Lizzo talks ‘suppression’ during Billboard Music Awards speech: ‘Use your voice’

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The 2020 Billboard Music Awards went down in Los Angeles on Wednesday night and Lizzo took a stand against suppression when she accepted the award for Top Song Sales.

The 32-year-old singer spoke out with her style in a black dress with the word VOTE printed all over it and delivered a powerful speech when she accepted her award.

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“I just want to say thank you to Billboard, thank you to Atlantic. Thank you to Team Lizzo, Thank you to everyone who listened to my music and supported me,” she began. “I just wanted to say I’ve been thinking about suppression and the voices that refused to be suppressed. And I wonder, would I be standing here right now if it weren’t for the big, Black women who refused to have their voices be suppressed. I just want to say right now, if you’re at home watching this, you are thinking about changing yourself to feel worthy, this is your sign to remain true to who you are.”

She continued, “Let me tell y’all something–When people try to suppress something, it’s normally because that thing holds power they’re afraid of your power. There’s power in who you are there’s power in your voice. So whether it’s through music, protest, or your right to vote, use your power. Use your voice and refuse to be suppressed.”

Read More: Lizzo slams TikTok for removing her bikini videos ‘but allowing other girls in bathing suits’

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The 2020 Billboard Music Awards were presented without a live audience and star-studded event was hosted by Kelly Clarkson. The show featured performances by Brandy, En Vogue, John Legend and Doja Cat, among others. Some of the night’s big winners included Post Malone, Khalid, Cardi B and Kanye West.

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