Lizzo's Watch Out for the Big Grrrls is More Than a Dance Competition - It's An Empowering Show

I've never been a fan of reality TV shows, but there was something about Lizzo and her show that intrigued me. I told myself to watch the first episode or two just to see her presence on the show, see the contestants, and get a feel for the tone of the show.

In this reality show, Lizzo searches for plus size women to join her Big Grrrl backup dancers, and go on tour with her. For starters, I didn't know that Lizzo had and strived for plus size dancers. That was the first thing that drew me in. I loved seeing the big girl representation, and the diversity - women of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds. There was also a trans woman among the dancers. #Represenation

In the pilot, Lizzo said, "I asked dance agencies for big girls, and they gave me nothing! Girls that look like me simply don’t get representation." So she devised this show, and was surprised to receive thousands of submissions.

To describe the show, some reviews have said think America’s Next Top Model meets So You Think You Can Dance. I agree with that description, except that this reality TV show did not focus heavily on challenges or elimination. Not all the dancers were selected in the end, but throughout the show Lizzo was more focused on the women's ability as dancers, their ability to pick up instructions and choreography quickly, present a strong stage presence, and exhibit stamina while dancing consistently.

"I want them to know that it's possible to wake up and love yourself, and love the skin you're in. It's ingredients to being a badder bitch, to being a better person, to being a fully realized human being."

I loved how open, transparent, and vulnerable (and professional) Lizzo allowed herself to be with the group of women. I loved how she shared intimate pieces of her life with us, and her self love journey. I love seeing her now, after and still on the journey, working to help others on their journey. Lizzo is genuine and authentic. She's more than just music and looks, she's an inspiration to the plus size community and I love that she's using her platform to publicly praise and empower full-figured women.

Women Empowering Women

I loved Lizzo's passion for not only seeking big girl representation but also for her promotion of self love and body positivity among the group of women. "[Society] doesn't want big girls to be sexy or happy... It's hard to love yourself in a world that doesn't love you back." - Lizzo

This was not just a competition. Intertwined throughout each episode were moments of uplifting and positivity from Lizzo, her team, and the dancers. Lizzo orchestrated classes/exercises to help the women feel empowered and sexy, to feel good about themselves and their bodies. There were moments of shared stories and experiences, shared struggles and tears stemming from self doubt and hate on social media (fatphobic and hateful comments, public humiliation, desexualization, and racism).

Lizzo continued to recognize the ladies with little rewards and ongoing encouragement through "The Juice Award" and "The 100% That B!@ch Award."

"I have a little bit of body dysmorphia from all the years comparing myself to other girls in the mirror every day at dance. I might be objectively beautiful to other people, but to me, I've never felt beautiful. I'm afraid to be beautiful."

I Learned Things

The Big Grrrl contestants stayed in a house together throughout the competition, and the show broadcasted times where the women ate together, talked, and bonded over similar issues being members of the plus size community. As dancers, they discussed going through life without proper training for women of their size. "[People] didn't know how to teach full-figured girls how to properly move around the floor because the weight is heavier on our limbs."

"I notice a lot of big girls have knee problems or ankle problems because they're not teaching how to compensate for 'close in first position' with a bigger thigh."

I'm not a dancer so that terminology doesn't mean much to me, but it's important for bigger women to learn how to move their bodies safely. Bigger women like to dance so it's something that needs to be taught. Period.

Through another episode I learned from one of the contestants that in Korea, plus size starts at size 8 versus the in the US which starts at a 14/16. I can't wrap my head around how plus size starts in the single digits. I can't imagine how bigger bodies are ostracized there. That contestant also opened up about being publicly fat shamed online by people using her body as a way to scare themselves into not being fat, and I think that's absolutely disgusting.

"They don't want to see a big bitch thrive. They want us to be sad and crying over somebody. It's like no, I'm happy and I love my body. They want us to hide."

The Contestants Learned

Throughout their time in Lizzo's house, the aspiring Big Grrrl dancers compete to be a backup dancer at the Bonnaroo music festival. Along the way, they learned from Lizzo's legendary choreographer Tanisha Scott. They learned new styles of dance and how to work on building endurance and stamina. They learned to dance onstage with a variety of elements including pyros, wind, and special effects. They learned to embrace their curves with confidence through a sensual class with body movement expert Rashida Khanbey.

They're encouraged to break through negativity and past body trauma, and embrace their curves through a nude photo shoot. Not all of the dancers were comfortable being nude and I loved that Lizzo didn't push them to pose nude. She encouraged them to do only what made them comfortable so some of the ladies didn't fully shed their clothes and expose their natural bodies. When everything was said and done, every one of the girls felt beautiful when seeing their final shots from the shoot, and I loved that.

I still find myself surprised by the amount of women who struggle with loving themselves and their bodies, who struggle with negative thoughts and self doubt. That's all the more reason why it's so special that Lizzo represents for big girls and uses her platform to empower them. Growing up, I didn't have a league of plus size celebrities to gain inspiration from. I didn't have a set of women in the limelight who looked like me, or who spoke about issues I could relate to.

"This is me breaking through the bullshit, breaking through these negative words that I used to say to myself to take myself down."

Plus Size Dancers are Impressive

I’m always impressed by the things dancers can do with their bodies, the control they have over their limbs, how they leap, flip, and bend, how they land on solid ground without breaking. I loved seeing these full-figured women do all the above and more. I imagine a large portion of viewers have never seen a plus size woman move like that, I haven't seen too many myself. Mind you, it's not that bigger bodies can't move impressively but plus size bodies have been "shamed out of publicly expressing themselves this way." I loved it.

"Exercise has nothing to do with how you look. We don't work out not to be big. We work out to be strong. And I'm the strongest bitch I know ho."

Not Your Typical Drama

I was so relieved that the group of women being filmed were above petty arguments and physical fights. In reality, drama exists and when merging a group of strangers, I believe it can intensify a bit but outside of a few snide remarks and strong personalities, the vibes were very positive. The ladies spent more time uplifting each other than tearing each other down. Many even admitted to forgetting they were in a competition because of the close bonds and relationships that were formed. It was refreshing to see that energy amongst the group daily. It was special to see a group of women collectively learning to love themselves after admitting to thoughts of self-hatred, and thoughts of never feeling pretty or sexy.

"Exercise has nothing to do with how you look. We don't work out not to be big. We work out to be strong. And I'm the strongest bitch I know ho."

I loved everything about Lizzo's Watch Out for the Big Grrrls. Lizzo’s emphasis on body positivity and personal vulnerability is what I needed to see. It was heartening without making the show woeful. The empowerment talk didn't feel dull and just about every other scene was filled with high energy moments, bright costumes, and personal stories so the overall tone of the show was joyful.

Shoutout to Lizzo for the show, for the entertainment and the realness. I appreciate the effort she put into finding women who look like her and doing her best to make sure they feel their best. I appreciate her having the confidence to put herself out there as a plus size black woman and for putting her emotions on display. Lizzo's the supportive role model and friend we all need.