Lizzo had to make "peace" with her new image after she was sued by her backing dancers.

In 2023, the 38-year-old pop star was embroiled in a scandal when she was accused of creating an "abusive work environment" in a lawsuit filed by some of her former dancers who alleged they had been "sexually harassed and weight-shamed" during their time of employment.

Lizzo - who has always denied the claims - has now admitted she's had to accept the world sees her in a new light after the legal battle. During an interview with Willie Geist for Sunday Today, she explained: "I had to make peace with the fact that there's a version of Lizzo that exists now that the world controls. The world controls the narrative, and I don't.

"But what I can control is who I really am."

Lizzo - whose real name is Melissa Jefferson - went on to insist she doesn't feel the need to fight back against untruths, saying: "I'm not a fighter. I'm a lover," before adding: "How many headlines can I have out there about the things that I'm doing that I'm proud of and that I actually did?"

However, the singer is trying to remain optimistic. She explained: "Everything that happens to you, good or bad, is an opportunity for growth.

"It's an opportunity for self-reflection and to learn about yourself and to, even if you don't like parts of yourself, deal with it and work on it.

"And then the person you become at the end of that is someone you couldn't even imagine, and you fall in love with them."

Lizzo's legal battle with her former dancers is ongoing, but she previously denied their claims in an emotional statement posted online.

She wrote: "Usually I choose not to respond to false allegations but these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous to not be addressed,.

"These sensationalized stories are coming from former employees who have already publicly admitted that they were told their behavior on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional ...

"With passion comes hard work and high standards. Sometimes I have to make hard decisions but it's never my intention to make anyone feel uncomfortable or like they aren't valued as an important part of the team.

"I am not here to be looked at as a victim, but I also know that I am not the villain that people and the media have portrayed me to be these last few days.

"I am very open with my sexuality and expressing myself but I cannot accept or allow people to use that openness to make me out to be something I am not."