Dua Lipa recalls her devastation over mean comments as she shares her transformative experience from being the subject of viral memes to embracing a newfound confidence with her latest album, 'Radical Optimism.'
- May 6, 2024
AceShowbiz - Dua Lipa, the global pop sensation, recently opened up about the challenges and trials she faced in the limelight, particularly the impact of social media on her mental health and career. In candid discussions with The Guardian and during her appearance on Apple Music 1 with Zane Lowe, Lipa delved into the details of her journey from being a meme to achieving radical optimism in her life and music.
A few years ago, a clip of Lipa dancing at a 2017 concert went viral for all the wrong reasons, spawning countless memes and critiques of her performance skills.
Fans likened her dancing to a pencil in a "pencil sharpener," and a comment from her 2018 BRIT Awards performance saying, "I like her lack of energy, go girl give us nothing!" became a catchphrase used to deride other celebrities as well. This led to a significant amount of online backlash, compelling Lipa to take a hiatus from Twitter due to the humiliation it caused.
"The thing that made me the happiest - performing and writing songs - was also making me really upset because people were picking everything apart that I'd been working on," Lipa said. The criticism was particularly poignant as it coincided with her win for the best new artist Grammy, with many claiming she was undeserving of the accolade due to a perceived lack of stage presence.
However, Lipa didn't let these challenges deter her. Instead, she used the criticism as fuel to prove her detractors wrong. The release of her hit single "Don't Start Now" in November 2019 marked a turning point, showcasing her growth as an artist and performer. "And I went back, did that performance, and everyone was like, 'Oh, we were wrong.' I got a real kick out of that," Lipa reflected on the vindication she felt after her performance.
With the release of her third studio album, "Radical Optimism," Dua Lipa is now at a place in her career where she feels "really confident." She credits songwriting as a form of therapy that helped her navigate through the low points, transforming negativity into creative energy.
Lipa's journey underscores the resilience required in the face of public scrutiny and the power of optimism to overcome adversity. Through her experiences, she sends a powerful message to the young audience about growth, resilience, and the importance of staying true to one's path, regardless of the noise from the sidelines.
