The song has been replaced with a new version on streaming platforms
Lizzo has removed an offensive term for disabled people from her latest single after a backlash from fans online.
On Friday, the popstar released 'Grrrls', the latest track from her upcoming album
Special. In the opening verse of the song, the singer used a derogatory term for someone suffering from spastic diplegia, a form of cerebral palsy.
The 34-year-old has become famous for promoting body confidence, acceptance and self-love with her music.
On the songs release, several took to social media to voice their unhappiness with the use of the ableist slur.
One wrote that the term is "really offensive to the disabled community."
https://twitter.com/Shelbykinsxo/status/1535398153297461250?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1535398153297461250%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fmusic%2F2022%2Fjun%2F14%2Flizzo-removes-harmful-ableist-slur-from-new-song-grrrls-after-criticism
Another said they were "disappointed" in the popstar and that there is "no excuse for using an ableist insult in a song in 2022."
https://twitter.com/AutisticCallum_/status/1535730458239111168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1535730458239111168%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fmusic%2F2022%2Fjun%2F14%2Flizzo-removes-harmful-ableist-slur-from-new-song-grrrls-after-criticism
A third said the use of the word made them "angry and sad."
https://twitter.com/hannah_diviney/status/1535818662749548545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1535818662749548545%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fmusic%2F2022%2Fjun%2F14%2Flizzo-removes-harmful-ableist-slur-from-new-song-grrrls-after-criticism
Lizzo has since apologised for the lyric, saying that "as a fat black woman in America" she understands the "power words can have."
In a written public apology released on Monday, the singer wrote: "It has been brought to my attention that there is a harmful word in my new song Grrrls. Let me make one thing clear: I never want to promote derogatory language.
"As a fat black woman in America, I have had many hurtful words used against me so I understand the power words can have (whether intentionally, or in my case, unintentionally.)"
https://twitter.com/lizzo/status/1536480260732047361
She continued: "I'm proud to say there's a new version of GRRRLS with a lyric change. This is the result of me listening and taking action.
"As an influential artist I’m dedicated to being part of the change I’ve been waiting to see in the world."
The song had yet to be released in physical copies, and the new version has replaced the original on streaming services including Apple Music, Spotify and YouTube.
The offensive term has been replaced with the new lyric "hold me back."
The 'About Damn Time' singer has since been thanked by fans for listening to them.
https://twitter.com/hannah_diviney/status/1536482552554614784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1536482552554614784%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fentertainment-arts-61794502
Lizzo's third studio album
Special is set to be released on July 15.
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