Lizzo Details Why Watching Eddie Murphy In "The Nutty Professor" Made Her "Sad"

BYErika Marie4.1K Views
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Lizzo, Eddie Murphy
The classic film followed the story of an overweight professor who struggled with self-image and it hit a little too close to home for the singer.

Throughout her career, Lizzo has been a leading force in body acceptance. She has faced opposition from the public and the industry in regards to her weight, but Lizzo has managed to take that negativity and turned it into motivation to become the award-winning international superstar that she is. The 33-year-old multi-hyphenate entertainer recently sat down with Variety for a cover story and during the discussion, Lizzo spoke candidly about representation in Hollywood. She mentioned her reaction to seeing Eddie Murphy don fat-suits for several films, including The Nutty Professor.

"It's funny, because I’m the biggest Eddie Murphy fan of all time," Lizzo said. "But he definitely had a collection of fat-suit movies that people would be laughing at, but I would feel sad."

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"Not because I felt like, ‘Oh, my gosh — that’s me.’ But I had this empathy for Professor Klump [in The Nutty Professor]," she added. "Like, the scene where he opens his drawer and there are all these candies and M&Ms in his desk? I could literally cry right now thinking about it. People around me were laughing, but I hide food, too. I feel him. I feel sympathy and empathy for him.”

Lizzo also mentioned that she did audition for the role of Ursula in the live-action adaptation of Disney's The Little Mermaid, but eventually lost out to Melissa McCarthy. "But you know, I’m fine as hell. That has nothing to do with Ursula, but I was down to make Ursula a THOT, shaking ass."

Maybe she'll fulfill her THOT Ursula dreams one day. Check out the trailer for Murphy's hit 1990s film The Nutty Professor below.

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About The Author
Erika Marie is a seasoned journalist, editor, and ghostwriter who works predominantly in the fields of music, spirituality, mental health advocacy, and social activism. The Los Angeles editor, storyteller, and activist has been involved in the behind-the-scenes workings of the entertainment industry for nearly two decades. E.M. attempts to write stories that are compelling while remaining informative and respectful. She's an advocate of lyrical witticism & the power of the pen. Favorites: Motown, New Jack Swing, '90s R&B, Hip Hop, Indie Rock, & Punk; Funk, Soul, Harlem Renaissance Jazz greats, and artists who innovate, not simply replicate.
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