Lizzo (37) Shares the Story Behind Her Grammy Virginity Promise and How She Kept It
Lizzo is offering a vulnerable look into her personal history, revealing that she navigated much of her early adulthood without certain common milestones. During her appearance on the Friends Keep Secrets podcast, which aired on March 31, the thirty-seven-year-old artist admitted to being a late bloomer in her sexual life.
She confessed to the show’s hosts—Benny Blanco, Lil Dicky, and Kristin Batalucco—that she spent a significant amount of time concealing the truth about her lack of experience. The singer, whose real name is Melissa Jefferson, eventually disclosed that she did not lose her virginity until 2020.
She explained that she had made a specific pact with herself during her youth to wait for a major professional achievement before taking that step. She told the group, “I promised myself when I was younger that I wouldn’t have sex until I won a Grammy.”
When the hosts expressed their astonishment, Lil Dicky questioned if she would have eventually abandoned the vow had the award eluded her. Lizzo, who secured her first win in early 2020, clarified that while the event didn’t happen on the actual night of the ceremony, it followed shortly thereafter.
She described the relief of finally sharing the truth, noting, “I feel a weight off of my chest right now.” The About Damn Time performer recalled the social pressure she felt in her younger years, admitting that she often resorted to lying to avoid embarrassment among her peers.
She remembered one specific night out with friends where the topic surfaced, leading her to make bold, exaggerated claims to fit in. She reflected on those moments with a mix of humor and chagrin, stating, “I remember it was so embarrassing. I said, ‘I love the D.’ I said that. And it held me over for a little while.”
Lizzo also looked back on her first kiss, which didn’t occur until she was twenty-one and left her feeling deeply frustrated. She attributed her late start to a religious upbringing and a childhood pact made at her church to remain abstinent until marriage.
The experience itself was far from romantic, as she described a forced encounter on New Year’s Eve that she felt ruined the milestone entirely. She recalled her anger at the time, saying, “My first kiss is ruined.”
Despite these early hurdles, the singer has found lasting happiness with her partner, Myke Wright. The couple has been romantically linked since 2022, though their history as colleagues dates back nearly a decade to their time co-hosting for MTV.
Lizzo has been vocal about the strength of their bond, previously stating that she is “very much in love with Myke” and views him as her life partner. Professionally, the Grammy winner is currently in the midst of a productive year.
She recently released her latest single, Don’t Make Me Love U, on March 20, which features an introspective music video exploring her relationship with her past self. This follows a successful series of intimate jazz performances at the Blue Note in both New York and Los Angeles earlier this year.
Fans can look forward to more from the artist this spring, as she is scheduled to perform at the Netflix Is A Joke Festival at the Greek Theatre on May 7. She is also currently finalizing her fifth studio album, tentatively titled Love in Real Life, which is expected to arrive later this year.
Have something to add? Share your thoughts in the comments.