AUSTIN, Texas — One of the largest venues at SXSW wasn’t big enough to accommodate everyone who wanted to see three-time Grammy-award-winning superstar Lizzo. The line outside the Convention Center’s Ballroom D stretched down a long hallway, out the door, down one set of steps and up another, and still there were fans who couldn’t get in to see the 33-year-old singer’s keynote talk Sunday.

Lizzo’s message of body love and positivity have been resonating since her debut 2019 hit Truth Hurts became the longest-running number one by a solo female rap artist in history. Later this month, Lizzo will build on that messaging with a new television show. “Watch Out for the Big Grrrls” on Amazon Prime Video follows the singer as she works with a group of ten thick-bodied backup dancers to get them ready for the Bonnaroo Music Festival.

Lizzo spoke with radio host Angela Yee at SXSW. The following conversation has been condensed and lightly edited for clarity.

ANGELA: You executive produced your first project for Prime Video, so let’s discuss why “Watch Out for the Big Grrrls” was so important for you.

LIZZO: This has been a passion of mine for years and years and years before I had a TV show. Like, I needed big girls more than I needed a television show. Ever since 2014, I’ve had open casting calls for dancers that look like me, and it’s been very difficult, especially the more I’m in the industry. We have these agency casting calls. I don’t see me reflected in, you know, the dancers. And then one day I say, “You know what, mother? I gotta get a TV show to bring some awareness to this.”

ANGELA: Let’s discuss even the setup of the show because it’s not like a competition type of elimination. Why was it important for you to show this representation the way you did?

LIZZO: If I sent everyone home, I wouldn’t have dancers. I needed dancers, man. And it was also important that I changed the narrative of what a reality television show looks like. We don’t always have to be cruel. We can be kind, and we don’t have to pit people against each other. I feel like it’s hard enough in the dance world already for girls who look like me. So why would I create that environment in my space? If I have the power to change that, why not change that?

ANGELA: You also had some vulnerable moments yourself on there, so let’s talk about some things that you learned just doing this show.

LIZZO: One of the more controversial moments is when “Rumors” dropped last year. I had a moment. I saw some really cruel things online about me, nothing about the music, you know. It was just some things about my character that really deeply hurt me. And it was coincidentally the day that I had to film. I went on live, and I cried. I was talking about the fat phobia and the racism that, you know, people just harbored towards people who look like me and specifically me. And then I had to clean up my face and go in and play “Rumors” for the girls. You know, this was not planned at all, but I got extremely emotional when I walked in the room and was like, man, I’ve been dealing with so much today, but I get to share this moment and put these women on a pedestal and on a platform. And we’re gonna eventually show the world that you cannot treat people like that. You cannot treat people who look like me like this. Sometimes people think celebrities aren’t human beings. I got feelings.

ANGELA: I want to quote something that you said: “If you don’t see my tears, you’re not going to respect my joy.” Talking about these vulnerable moments that you had, what was that journey like for you even being able to open up?

LIZZO: It was just a personal choice to be vulnerable in that way. If I’m always, “I’ve got this,” they’re like, “Are you really always so happy? Are you really always that positive? How?” And I was like, wow, people really not believing me. They not feeling me. So, I opened myself up, and I was like, let me share everything. I can be an example for a younger person who’s watching me on social media. It’s okay to be sad. It’s okay to cry. It’s okay to have emotions. It’s okay to be angry about something. And it’s also okay to be radically positive and practice radical self-care. I’m doing this for the generation after me to have something to look at and be like, “Hey, that’s me. I see myself in that person.”

ANGELA: I’m sure you realize the importance of the representation that you bring. You are a body icon.

LIZZO: I’m a symbol. I’ve seen a lot of change. You never really heard songs that I love myself. I’m gonna be kind to myself today. It was just drugs and partying or I’m sad, I’m lost without you. I can’t breathe without you. Those songs are great, but I was like, why don’t I just sing about loving myself? And it was so shocking to people back then, but it’s such a beautiful thing: body positivity, self-love, love yourself.

These are very common terms now being used in media. And that was not the case over five years ago. So, we’ve come super far, and I’m super proud of that. As far as body representation, we got a long way to go, but I’m seeing the change. Big girls have always had value, but I don’t think society has seen the value in bigger bodies. So, by just being myself and being extremely talented and iconic and beautiful and super special, I think it has shown the world I am valuable; I am worthy. I don’t need to prove that to nobody. I just am.

ANGELA: What are some other things that you’re hoping to see?

LIZZO: Well, this is just the beginning. I want them to shake up the industry, come in and shift the paradigm and be in demand and change the rules. I think they’re doing that already just by existing. And I’m so glad I found them and they found me.

ANGELA: Let’s talk about you as an executive producer. This is a new role for you. So, what was that like?

LIZZO: I’ve been a boss. I just wasn’t put in the position to have that title. Thank goodness I have an incredible team. Shout out to Prime Video. They put me in the position to put some respect on my name. Yo, I am an executive producer from the beginning. I’ve touched every single thing that comes out, from mixing my music to editing my music videos to making sure that I am a part of everything creative and you know, I got business people for the business stuff, you know. 2022 is the year of me stepping into my power and reclaiming my title.

ANGELA: Sometimes we as women don’t know how to negotiate for ourselves or even know our own value. What is some advice that you would give to them?

LIZZO: I would say don’t be hard on yourself because society don’t make that easy. They don’t set us up to see our value or to see our worth, especially Black women, especially big Black women. They’ve devalued us. I wasn’t set up for success. You know, born in Detroit, raised in Houston, big Black girl. If I was 10 years old and they’re like, “Hey, you’re gonna be a body positive body icon, superstar pop star,” I would’ve been like, “Damn what the hell kinda lies?” So, I would say don’t be hard on yourself. Just remember that you are whatever you say you are and you’re whatever you believe. You’re not what these people say. You’re not what society says you are. So, look in that mirror and remind yourself.

ANGELA: For 2022, what are some things that you plan to do? Obviously, we got the ladies that are going to be on tour. I’ve been hearing some new music.

LIZZO: Literally I’m flying home today to master my album, so it’s coming very, very soon. And it’s good. I worked real hard on this, so it better be good, but it’s good.

ANGELA: On the show, I did see some music. So, is some of that on the album?

LIZZO: Yes. There’s gonna be some previews of new music on the show before the album comes out, so if you want some new music, watch “Watch Out for the Big Grrrls” on Prime Video March 20.