Lizzo's Watch Out for the Big Grrrls

Make no mistake, this is a reality show about a talented Grammy Winning Artist with sold-out shows finding new backup dancers for an upcoming performance and stage show at Bonaroo 2022, which pre-pandemic audiences reached 85,000 folks!

Sounds harmless, right? Yeah. But this Grammy-winning talented artist is Lizzo, and the backup dance troupe she envisions for this show are plus-sized women like her, which she dubs "Big Girls."

However, many reviews about this reality program right here on IMDb have NOT been about that, which is unfortunate. It has been about personal preferences for women to look like "dancers " in shows. The reviews are full of negative stereotypes, mean, nasty adjectives and are missing the point of this reality show.

While some reviewers call this "watching unhealthy" or "promoting unhealthy" lifestyles, this reality program is doing something interesting. It's not doing any of those things; it's the opposite.

This reality show shows you how they have to go through the same grueling processes as ANYONE who wants to be a dancer/choreographer. The sweat, the exhaustion, the payoff - the HARSH rejection and getting the job for a lucky few.

The job. Yes, these are women auditioning for a job, a hard one. Being on the road performing in front of audiences. This reality show gives one a peek as all of them do in performing. As a reviewer, I can't write anything wrong with giving them the same props as I offer other dance performers on reality shows - good luck!! Bring on your best. Many did - some didn't. Jayla was my overall out-of-the-gate favorite, as there were a few others, and the game's name in this reality show is who can sustain the best stamina. STAMINA. There is nothing more healthy in dance & grueling, pressuring touring than stamina.

Even with the "ones that were chosen," there is still no guarantee they will make it to the stage for "Bonaroo ."Yep, just like in most performance dance reality shows.

There is the education here, and it seems like many need to be educated. Why is this really upsetting for those reviewers? Why are they so apt to write "promoting an unhealthy lifestyle" when those women are not sitting WATCHING life happen? They are auditioning and dancing just like ANY OTHER dancer - have THE SAME STORIES, and most importantly, the same talent. I question, all those writing bad reviews, did they look at the show(s); or did they just want to rush to negative judgment?

I applaud Lizzo and these dancers for allowing us to see how the process is none and WHY she chose to choose these dancers for her show. However, this reality show is not that spectacularly different from many dance reality shows. It follows the same formula as the ones preceding it. There's entertainment out there for everyone, and that's a good thing. We all do not have to fall for an appearance ideal, which is a good thing. As long as one is qualified and can do the work and gets the chance to do so - that's all that's needed.

Great job Lizzo! It's the show that I didn't know I needed to see.

I used to be one of those ladies when I was much younger. It reminded me of the way I was treated then. It started out good then a couple of episodes were a little preachy about the misrepresentation of overweight ladies and the constant reaffirmation that they deserved to be stars. Still, I had become invested in these ladies' journeys.

Ill start off by admitting that I'll pretty much watch anything that involves dancing. This show is fun, but the cinematography really detracts from the overall quality of the show. I can't even see the actual dancing because the camera is all over the place. Why would I want to watch a group number with the camera zoomed in on someone's waist or feet? I can't tell what's going on. Other that that, it's entertaining. There's a lot of haters in the comments but that doesn't really have anything to do with the quality of the show or the dancing.

I've never written a review for imdb before but when I saw the disgusting review bombing, I felt compelled to do so.

I am a fat woman, and I have never seen a show with so many fat people in it that didn't base its premise around fixing our bodies, especially for fat and trans women of color! The people who are saying this show "promotes bad habits/unhealthiness/etc" haven't even watched this show. They just see fat woc and immediately dismiss it without giving it a chance. Its literally about dancing. Where fat women. Exercise. Constantly on screen. We are not promoting an unhealthy lifestyle for simply existing in our bodies. Fat people and fat women will always exist. Statistically you probably have a fat friend and to those of you typing vitriol of us all over the internet, how do you think they would feel if they could read the things you say about us online?

I love that in this show you can see how the women are positively impacted by a space that Lizzo has created for these women to feel comfortable in their own skin. Before Lizzo, I know I have never thought I was allowed to be sexy, to learn how to accept my body as is, and it brought me to tears to see these women grow and improve throughout their personal and professional lives.

You can tell that Lizzo has control over this show and its premise, she discourages toxicity and looks to foster a group that builds each other up which is a rarity on reality television. This show is such a joy to watch, the women are so talented and always managed to surprise me. I hope this show opens the eyes of people who are straight sized and create more opportunities for fat people around the world to exist in peace.

Thank you Lizzo, for creating opportunities for these women who would not have it otherwise. You've changed the world and me. Watch this show with an open heart.

I have to say upfront that as someone in their 50s, I am not the target audience for this show. So while all the "you go girl" and "slay queen" sentiments make me wince, I can see that a younger audience would find it inspirational.

Lizzo herself comes across as a fun lady, somewhat bawdy and sweet at the same time, but I think the show has pigeonholed her into being a hyper-positive role model. All people are a combination of good, bad, positive, critical, mean and kind, but we are only allowed to see the good facets of her personality, making her a one-dimensional host.

I would love to see what her full personality is like. The parts where the camera lingers after she delivers yet another platitude are quite telling - she's almost laughing at herself, joking around. I would have like see more of that.

The contestants themselves aren't really all that exciting - LIzzo is the star of the show, and I think most people are aware that shows like this only exist to prop up the host and increase their fan base. Their journey also lacks any real tension because the eliminations are not part of every show, and it's reasonably obvious who is going to make the cut.

All in all, it's a a good time passer and for some it will be more than that. Someone a lot younger and less cynical than me.