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Lizzo Brings 17 Activists Onstage at the 2022 Peopleā€™s Choice Awards

Photo: Chris Polk/E! Entertainment/NBC via Getty Images

James Madisonā€™s crystal flute isnā€™t the only one who gets to share the spotlight with Lizzo. The Special singer was honored as the Peopleā€™s Champion at last nightā€™s Peopleā€™s Choice Awards, but she quickly shifted the focus to 17 activists who she felt also deserved the recognition. ā€œTo be an icon isnā€™t about how long youā€™ve had your platform,ā€ Lizzo said in her acceptance speech. ā€œBeing an icon is about what you do with that platform. And ever since the beginning of my career, Iā€™ve used my platform to amplify marginalized voices.ā€ The women she then invited onstage represented a range of causes, including the Flint water crisis, abortion access, and trans rights. All of their faces were projected onto the stage screen. Lizzo appeared to get particularly choked up when she introduced a woman who is working to combat ā€œsenseless and despicable gun violenceā€ after her sister was killed in the Uvalde shooting. She also recognized Tamika Palmer, the mother of Breonna Taylor, for her contributions to the fight against police violence. ā€œGive them their flowers!ā€ Lizzo concluded. ā€œPower will always be to the people!ā€ Watch her honor each activistā€™s cause in full below, proving exactly why she won the award.

Lizzo Brings 17 Activists Onstage at Peopleā€™s Choice Awards