Nicki Minaj and Lizzo, two of music’s most prominent and outspoken figures, have found themselves at the center of a highly publicized feud that has spilled well beyond the usual boundaries of celebrity rivalry. The latest flare-up came just after the 2026 Grammy Awards, when Minaj, notably absent from the ceremony, unleashed a scathing critique of Lizzo on X (formerly Twitter), igniting a firestorm that quickly became about much more than just music.
On February 2, 2026, Minaj took to social media with a post that was as blunt as it was provocative: “Fat Lizzo lost 300 lbs just to sell 300 albums. So now she has loose skin and a flop album and a weird charge. Sheesh.” The comment, which referenced Lizzo’s dramatic weight loss, her recent musical output, and an ongoing legal dispute, immediately drew widespread attention—and not a little outrage. According to Complex, the post did not specify which album was being referenced, and no recent sales data confirms Minaj’s claim of a flop. In fact, Lizzo has not released a full studio album since 2022’s Special, though she did drop a mixtape titled My Face Hurts from Smiling in 2025.
Minaj’s “weird charge” barb alluded to a civil lawsuit filed by three of Lizzo’s former backup dancers, who accused the singer of sexual harassment and creating a toxic work environment. While a judge dismissed the fat-shaming portion of the suit in December 2025, the harassment allegations remain active. It’s worth noting, as reported by Complex, that Lizzo faces no criminal charges—something Minaj’s post seemed to gloss over, muddying the distinction between civil and criminal proceedings.
The roots of this very public spat run deeper than a single tweet. Back in December 2025, Lizzo openly criticized Minaj’s appearance at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest, a conservative event that drew attention for its political undertones. Lizzo suggested that celebrities were increasingly aligning themselves with political movements for personal gain. “You’re about to see an influx of people who see that it is more profitable and more beneficial to join that side,” Lizzo said, according to a clip cited by Complex. She argued that such shifts were driven by profit and privilege, not principle, and predicted that fans would soon see more public figures making similar choices. The implication was clear: Lizzo viewed Minaj’s political moves as opportunistic rather than genuine.
This criticism clearly struck a nerve. The tension simmered in the background until it boiled over following the Grammy Awards, when comedian Trevor Noah joked about Minaj’s absence. “Nicki Minaj is not here. She’s still at the White House with Donald Trump, discussing very important issues,” Noah quipped, referencing Minaj’s recent political positioning. Minaj didn’t take the joke lightly; she fired back online with pointed remarks about Noah’s sexuality and posted images meant to draw connections between various public figures, according to Complex and FOREIGN.
Minaj’s response to both Lizzo and Noah went far beyond political disagreement—it veered into deeply personal territory. By mocking Lizzo’s physical transformation and questioning the commercial success of her recent music, Minaj’s comments crossed lines that many observers found troubling. The reference to “loose skin” and “a flop album” was especially pointed, given Lizzo’s well-documented journey toward better health and her efforts to promote body positivity. Critics quickly noted the hypocrisy of body shaming, especially considering Minaj’s own history with cosmetic procedures.
The backlash to Minaj’s remarks was swift and polarized. Supporters of Lizzo highlighted her Grammy wins—she’s won more of the coveted awards than Minaj has—and praised her for working hard to improve her health. They questioned why Minaj would attack someone for achieving personal goals and called out the unnecessary cruelty of body shaming. On the other side, Minaj’s fans argued that Lizzo had started the conflict by commenting on Minaj’s political choices, suggesting she had inserted herself into controversy and was now facing appropriate pushback. Still, many on both sides acknowledged that personal attacks about appearance and body image are a step too far, regardless of who started the disagreement.
Beyond the personal barbs, the feud has sparked broader conversations about celebrity activism and authenticity. Lizzo’s suggestion that financial incentives drive political alignments resonated with those skeptical of sudden ideological shifts among high-profile figures. Others saw her comments as presumptuous, arguing that she was assigning mercenary motives to decisions she couldn’t possibly understand from the outside. The debate reflects a wider anxiety about the intersection of fame, politics, and personal branding in the modern music industry.
Ironically, the animosity between Minaj and Lizzo stands in stark contrast to their previous interactions. At the 2025 Met Gala, Lizzo expressed genuine admiration for Minaj, describing herself as starstruck by the rapper’s beauty and presence. She praised their warm exchange and seemed honored to share a space with someone she respected. That goodwill, however, has all but evaporated in the wake of political polarization and the competing narratives about celebrity responsibility.
As the dust settles from this latest exchange, it’s clear that the rift between Minaj and Lizzo is about more than just music or personal slights. It’s a reflection of the broader cultural and political divides that increasingly shape the entertainment landscape. The feud highlights how quickly relationships can deteriorate when public figures take strong stances on divisive issues, especially when questions of authenticity and financial motivation are involved.
For now, both artists remain vocal in their respective corners, with Minaj’s supporters defending her right to respond and Lizzo’s fans rallying behind her resilience. The ongoing lawsuit against Lizzo continues to cast a shadow, though the dismissal of the fat-shaming claims and the absence of criminal charges provide some measure of clarity. Whether the two will ever reconcile—or simply move on to other battles—remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: this is a feud that has captured the public’s imagination, not just for its headline-grabbing drama, but for what it says about the state of celebrity, politics, and personal accountability in 2026.
As the music world keeps spinning, the Minaj-Lizzo saga serves as a reminder that even the biggest stars are not immune to the pressures—and pitfalls—of life in the spotlight.