‘Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls’ is a Big Breath of Fresh Air

Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls is filling a much-needed void within the reality competition realm of television with its refreshing twist on the genre. 

I’m sure you’ve heard the self-help adage that says your only competition is yourself. It’s certainly good advice but putting it into practice is a whole other story. Taking that concept and putting it into a reality competition show sounds counterintuitive, doesn’t it?

It’s a good thing, then, that multi-talented, big-hearted superstar Lizzo is at the helm. Imbuing the series with her trademark message of self-love and body positivity, Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls is a love letter to Big Grrrls everywhere as well as a call out to all the haters.

For anyone who has ever felt marginalized or been subjected to body shaming, Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls is like a big, warm hug from the bad bitch herself. 

As if all of this comfort and validation wasn’t enough, Lizzo has made the show that bears her name as fun and cheeky and bold as she is. Essentially, it gives one all of the feels while it entertains and encourages one to be unapologetically true to oneself. 

Watch out, you just might experience an increase of confidence and self-acceptance in the end. 

Note: Spoilers for Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls Season 1 below.

“Boss Up and Change Your Life”

Much of Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls has familiar vibes because there are elements of many a reality show that have come before. Lizzo’s show uses this to its advantage, making it fresh and comforting at the same time. 

The house — or mansion, rather — has a kind of a Bad Girls Club feel to it, the competition is set up in a fashion similar to America’s Next Top Model, and there’s a “love yourself” motif kindred to RuPaul’s Drag Race.

The audition portion is reminiscent of the singing and talent shows like American Idol. Hopefuls arrive to strut their stuff for a chance to join the ranks of Lizzo’s prestigious Big Grrrls on a bonafide world tour. It’s not just a prize; it’s a dream career for these contestants, and one they’ve been working hard toward already.

With Lizzo’s help, they will hone their dance skills, build up their confidence, and basically learn valuable on-the-job training from a badass queen that shares many of the same body image struggles. 

The guidance and mentorship from Lizzo come from her genuine respect for these ladies. She doesn’t just hope to make them better dancers but wants to see them thrive in all aspects of their lives. The process of eliminations confirms her sincerity. 

The Antithesis of ANTM

Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls flips the script on the standard-issue, and frankly stale, reality competition show format — ten girls vie for… ten spots.

Yes, each and every competitor has the opportunity at claiming the prize of performing with Lizzo on stage at the Bonnaroo Music Festival with the chance of further advancement to go on tour as part of Lizzo’s official Big Grrrls crew. 

Lizzo: There’s room for all of you. But in the end, it’s up to y’all. You gotta want to be here.

Talk about being inclusive! America’s Next Top Model could never.

It’s been a while since I’ve gotten invested in a reality show like this (unless you count The Circle, with which I am also obsessed.) Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls has everything I love about a reality competition series but without the toxicity of reinforcing patriarchal norms or promoting harmful standards of beauty. 

Rather than teach these women how to mold themselves to be accepted in their desired industry like on America’s Next Top Model, Lizzo is helping them to unlearn the negative biases that society serves up in spades.

Whereas Tyra Banks on America’s Next Top Model was a lead judge among a panel of judges, Lizzo is more of a supportive leader that leads without judgment. 

And the results are amazing. 

One of the most important messages of the show is embedded right into its format: the woman next to you is not your competition, you are your competition. This is literally a lesson to live by — deep, personal fulfillment becomes attainable when one is able to let go of comparing oneself to others.

The ugliness that often accompanies competition is taken out of the equation. The contestants lift one another up instead of tearing each other down or sabotaging someone else’s progress. They celebrate individual successes together and rally around those struggling. 

Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls has created an environment that not only advocates for a positive and healthy self-image but also to root for those around you. Part of the prize is to be part of a team, so one’s ability and willingness to be a team player is highly considered during the audition process. 

Some shows like America’s Next Top Model might claim to encourage teamwork, but really it’s all about cultivating a toxic atmosphere of cutthroat competition.

And I’ll be the first to admit that I ate that shit up. I watched cycle after cycle until the show washed itself out by sticking to a close-minded and anti-feminist formula that pushed a patriarchal and capitalistic agenda. 

Just because Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls doesn’t subscribe to such superficial tactics doesn’t mean there’s no drama. Every reality show needs drama. There is plenty on the show, but it’s not the manufactured kind one tends to find in reality competition television.

It’s so much heartier than that. 

“Girl, Run That Sh*t Back”

It is possible to have dramatic reality show material without the seemingly built-in nastiness. By avoiding the pitfalls of pitting the girls against each other, the drama on Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls develops organically. 

There is naturally going to be some friction with different personalities living in close quarters, all while working both together and individually toward the same goals, and tea is definitely spilled. There are even shocking eliminations. 

Jasmine with her huge anime eyes and her huge ego butts heads with the others and becomes a proper reality show troublemaker, yet one you still want to root for. 

In addition, there’s the time-crunch of the quickly approaching Bonnaroo date. These dancers need to be stage-savvy and show-ready to perform alongside a headliner like Lizzo. It requires a certain level of confidence and stamina for Lizzo and her team to feel comfortable putting themselves into such a high-pressure situation. 

The only person standing in their way of achieving this dream is themself, asserting that internalized drama can be just as compelling. It doesn’t have to be multi-party tension to qualify as good dramatic reality television.

“Juice”

On Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls Season 1 Episode 2, “HBCYOU Band,” when welcoming the girls into their temporary home, Lizzo tells them about the awards she’ll be giving out after each challenge: the Juice Award and the 100% That Bitch Award. 

Lizzo: The Juice Award goes to the person who has the heart, who has shown tenacity, who has overcome something. That is so important. Yeah, it’s great to be perfect, it’s great to hit the steps, but I wanna see you progress in your life. 

The Juice Award gives the tired, docile Miss Congeniality title a run for its money. (Note: This does not apply to the delightful film franchise starring national treasure Sandra Bullock, Miss Congeniality and Miss Congeniality 2: Armed & Fabulous.)

Lizzo practices what she preaches and leads by example. After each episode, I want to give the show itself both the Juice and 100% That Bitch Award because it goes so hard, putting the positive messaging into a dazzling and well-produced reality show package. 

Another show that achieves this is RuPaul’s Drag Race. However, there is a comparison to be made where Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls double-downs on the self-love theme and Drag Race goes the drama route. 

One of my favorite Drag Race moments of all time comes from Alyssa Edwards on the behind-the-scenes companion show, Untucked, for Season 5 Episode 5, “Snatch Game.” Jade Jolie tells Alyssa that she has “disgusting” back rolls. It’s Alyssa’s iconic reaction that makes it so hilarious. “Back rolls?!”

I admit I find it really funny — drag queens tend to be gifted comedians — but it must be pointed out that it is perpetuating damaging, fatphobic beliefs. It’s body-shaming for the sake of entertainment. Now, fast-forward to Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls Season 1 Episode 4, “Naked,” and what contestant Asia Banks has to say about baring it all in a nude photoshoot. 

Asia: I’m gonna say the part of my body that’s my favorite is my back roll because for so long it was my least favorite. And I learned to just say, “This is my whole bakery. I have the cinnamon rolls. I have the honey buns, Big Texas. I have it all.”

Quite the different message between these two scenarios, huh?

Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls has it all, too — there’s something for everyone. Dancers and dance enthusiasts will love the choreography and technical aspects. People of all types will see themselves represented in some way, big or small.

Nneka Onuorah is the director of all eight episodes and also appears on Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls Season 1 Episode 3, “Curves and Confidence,” directing the music videos for the team challenge. This extends the representation to behind the camera, showcasing a queer Black woman in cool command of the set. 

The series touches on so many areas of body image, going well beyond just size or weight. Jayla Sullivan is a trans woman. Isabel Jones is half-Korean. Sydney Bell embraces her natural hair, and Charity Holloway celebrates her dark skin and bald head. 

Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls is like a crash course in self-love. So many of the lessons taught on the show can be applied to so many different aspects of life. And it’s such a good time that it hardly feels like learning. 

Lizzo’s fierce confidence comes through in her performances, be it on stage or in the studio. Her show allows us to see that same confidence in a more vulnerable light. 

Let me leave you with a pearl of wisdom from the goddess herself:

Whoever told you you can’t dance, whoever told you you’re not a bad bitch, tell them to shut the fuck up, even if it’s yourself.

Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls Season 1 is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

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