Lizzo recently sparked a major online conversation regarding air travel. Using her platform to spotlight issues that resonate with her, Lizzo has called out airlines for their requirement that “bigger bodied” people must purchase two seats.
In a TikTok video aimed at her 26 million followers, she passionately sang about this issue. In her captions, she made her stance clear, stating, “Forcing big-bodied people to buy 2 airline seats is a fascism indicator,” expressing her true feelings without hesitation. Lizzo didn’t stop there; she also addressed the body shamers and trolls taking shots at her in the comments. She remarked, “Pretending to care about a fat person’s health in the comments is body shaming (& lame).” To wrap up her strong messages, she boldly told her critics to “shut the f–k up, b–h!”
Unsurprisingly, social media was abuzz with varied reactions. The responses were mixed, reflecting the complexity of the issue. Some fans expressed their fatigue over the ongoing dialogue, with one joking, “She talks so much about her weight, I forgot she makes music.” Meanwhile, others voiced their frustrations, stating, “Sorry if your body parts spilling into my seat is an issue.” On the other hand, numerous individuals celebrated her, appreciating that a prominent celebrity is amplifying a discussion that affects so many.
This heated debate sheds light on the genuine challenges faced by plus-size travelers. Activist Jaelynn Chaney launched a petition just last year, urging the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to implement a standard policy that allows passengers who need an extra seat to obtain it at no additional charge. The current policies of airlines vary significantly, leaving many passengers feeling anxious and embarrassed. While some airlines may offer a refund for a second seat, others do not, creating inconsistencies that fail to support plus-size travelers.
What are your thoughts? Is it just for airlines to charge extra for a second seat, or should they offer more understanding?
