Growing up in the late-‘80s and mid-‘90s, the relationship she had with her hair was complex; its texture differed greatly from the rest of her immediate family. “My brother, my sister, my mother and father — they all had completely different hair textures, and they [were] all softer than mine,” she says. “My mom had really long hair that she always pressed out. My dad had a long ponytail, wavy hair.”

As a coping mechanism, Lizzo spent years concealing her natural hair with wigs, usually of the synthetic variety and in bold colors, which she admits to putting on without much styling or care; a little reckless toward the roots and strands beneath.

A turning point came in 2016, right before she signed with Atlantic Records, during an emotional interview for the popular video series “That What’s Underneath Project,” by the multimedia platform, StyleLikeU, which features subjects sharing personal stories of self-acceptance as they shed their clothes. The creators’ thought-provoking questions pushed Lizzo to confront those deep-seated insecurities. “That was the beginning, for me, when I was [like], I need to pay attention to my hair — my real hair,” she explains.

Lizzo still finds joy in experimenting with hair — ever-changing colors and eye-catching styles are a core part of her identity — but she is more mindful about the pieces she wears now. These days, her hair is a source of power and creative expression, rather than something shameful that she feels compelled to conceal out of embarrassment. “I still get to play in the playground,” she asserts. “But now I'm playing in my own playing field. I'm not dippin' in the other people's shit.”

This playful attitude carries over to her wardrobe, too. Just scroll her entertaining Instagram account and, between hilarious twerking videos with her flute (lovingly named Sasha Flute), you’ll find myriad photos featuring Lizzo’s incredible ensembles. Her onstage performances are fashion spectacle, as she brings the house down in bespoke, bedazzled, and bedecked bodysuits and corsets made by her stylist, Marko Monroe, with her equally dazzling plus-size dancers behind her.

Lizzo is constantly topping best-dressed lists for her red-carpet outfits and her music videos are master classes in impeccable style. (Case in point: The visuals for her catchy new feel-good hit, "Juice," wherein she transforms into different personalities in a late-night TV circuit, include a shimmery, floor-length dress reminiscent of the Supremes.) Though Lizzo is a stylistic genius, biases against plus-size women are still a frustrating and unavoidable reality, creating limitations that stifle such creativity in self-presentation.

“If you’re not making clothes for me, and if you don’t want to make clothes for me, I don’t want to wear your [designs]. I look good in other things anyway. But if you want to change the game and dress a fat body, call me.”

Despite the plus-size market’s exponential growth, many high-end designers have been slow to expand their size ranges — inertia that gets no sympathy from Lizzo, who couldn’t care less about waiting for reluctant members of the industry to get it together. “If you’re not making clothes for me, and if you don’t want to make clothes for me, I don’t want to wear your [designs],” she states matter-of-factly. “I look good in other [things] anyway. But call me if you want to dress me. If you want to change the game and dress a fat body, call me.”