Lizzo under fire for saying Britney Spears is 'doing Janet Jackson impression': 'The audacity to talk'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Lizzo, in 2021, stirred social media with her bold declaration that Janet Jackson reigns supreme in pop music.

Fast forward to April 1, 2025. On the 'Sibling Rivalry' podcast, Lizzo addressed the backlash she received head-on, OK! Magazine reported.

Lizzo crowned who's who of music influence

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the 'Truth Hurts' hitmaker announced: “King of Pop — Michael Jackson; Queen of Pop — Janet Jackson.”

She didn’t stop there.

Lizzo dubbed Justin Bieber the "prince of pop", Rihanna the "pop princess" and Britney Spears the "princess of pop", a title widely associated with Spears since her late ‘90s debut.

She also acknowledged Usher as the “king of R&B”, and gave the overall music throne to none other than Beyonce, calling her the “queen of music”.

Back then, while many agreed with Lizzo’s royal designations, others, particularly Spears’ devoted fanbase, weren’t pleased with her calling Janet Jackson the “queen of pop”.

Lizzo defends naming Janet Jackson 'queen of pop'

During the 'Sibling Rivalry' podcast episode on April 1, Lizzo doubled down on her previous claims, clearing the air, she said, “I said what I said.”

“I have to really clear up some s**t,” she said unapologetically, adding, “Because people came for me on the internet because I said Janet Jackson is the queen of pop.”

Then, she explained her reasoning, not to dismiss others, but to give credit where she believes it's long overdue.

“I said Janet Jackson is the queen of pop. Here is why I said Janet is the queen of pop. Britney Spears is doing a Janet impression, and she said it.”

“Janet is her diva. There were no such things as pop divas before Janet. Janet was first. She was famous when Madonna was a kid watching her on television."

"And I'm just putting it out there. It's not because someone is better than the other. She was just first. And, she is Janet. She invented this s**t."

“I felt like I was fighting for my life because people was just dragging me by my ankles,” she confessed.

Britney Spears fans clap back at Lizzo’s' claim

Britney Spears fans stormed X in defense of their beloved pop princess, slamming Lizzo for reclaming her opinions on the podcast.

One fan chimed in, "Nobody thinks of THE Britney Spears as a Janet Jackson impersonator. She literally crafted her own sound and imagery at 16 and became the blueprint for every new pop girl. Worry about your career lasting one summer and your latest tweet not even crossing 100 likes @lizzo."

Another added, "She’s a hater obv or must have been living in a cave in the late 90s and 2000s. Janet is a legend, an inspiration for britney, but even in her prime she was nowhere near britney's popularity or impact. the audacity tho to talk THAT way about queen madonna and brit."

Someone else noted, "This is just me but maybe if you were almost canceled, don’t go out on some lame podcast and say stupid s**t about Madonna and run Britney’s name like that when she doesn’t deserve it."

A follower remarked, "Woke up to LIZZO dragging THE Britney Spears? I think the F**K not.Woke up to LIZZO dragging THE Britney Spears? I think the F**K not."

One comment declared, "That’s why @lizzo is flopping like a fish right now. Don’t disrespect those who came before you, especially when you’ll never be in their league. You’re few albums will never achieve what 1 album from Britney did."

Another observed, "Britney has always been very inspired by the Jacksons and she’s been open about that, everyone has inspirations. But I couldn’t picture Janet or Michael doing a Baby One More Time, Oops or Gimme More. It’s actually mad disrespectful to both Janet and Britney."

As one person explained, "People jumping Lizzo for calling Janet the queen of pop over Britney” no we’re actually jumping her for saying she’s impersonating Janet when she’s her own f*****g artist you DUMBA**."

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