We have all been there, scrolling through Instagram and seeing our favorite artists laughing at an awards show or posting a studio selfie, immediately assuming they are texting buddies in real life.
Lizzo is here to shut all that down. She is pulling back the curtain to let everyone know that the vast majority of her celebrity connections are purely professional, and the assumption that all famous people are part of one big, happy friend group is totally off base.
During a candid conversation on Joel Madden’s Artist Friendly podcast, Lizzo made it clear that a collab does not equate to a brunch date. She laughed off the notion that sharing a track or a stage means they are close enough to chat on the phone. “Even people who have songs together, people think they’re besties. It’s like, no. I like them as an artist, I respect their music and we collabed. But like, I sent them files. They recorded it and sent it back to me.”
The reality of the music industry is far more transactional than fans realize. Lizzo explained that even when you see artists filming a music video together, those hours on set are often the only time they interact. There is no secret group chat or late-night hangouts for most of these pairings; it is just a job. For someone at her level of fame, finding people who actually understand the lifestyle is a struggle, which makes the fake friendships even more apparent.
While the industry is filled with surface-level acquaintances, Lizzo holds a special place in her heart for SZA. Their bond goes beyond the studio and is one of the very few genuine relationships she has built in the spotlight. Because they truly understand the unique pressures of navigating massive success, Lizzo views her as a rare confidante. She explained the depth of their connection by saying, “I don’t really have many people who [I can] talk to about this sort of thing. I talk to SZA, I love her. She’s one of the only few people—you’ve gotta have her on the show. But like, she’s the only person that I can call and be like, ‘Okay b*tch,’ and she’s like, ‘Okay.'”
Lizzo isn’t interested in maintaining the illusion that she is best friends with every person she has ever stepped in a recording booth with. By being transparent about these boundaries, she is helping fans understand the distinction between a professional working relationship and a true friend. She keeps her inner circle extremely small and intentional, knowing that true connection is rare in an industry built on appearances.
Lizzo can always call @SZA with the tea — @Lizzo and @JoelMadden discuss how relationships and artist collabs really work — and the myth that everyone knows everybody.
Catch the full conversation from this week’s Artist Friendly on @Veeps and @SpotifyPodcasts pic.twitter.com/NsthFV9iaQ
— Veeps (@Veeps) May 22, 2026
