Lizzo took the stage at the Grammy Awards’ pre‑gala on Jan. 31, 2026 in Los Angeles and used the platform to celebrate Michael Jackson and Prince as the architects of modern pop stardom. She also announced that her new album, released on June 5, entered the Billboard 200 at No. 2 with 69,000 album‑equivalent units.

Jackson family credited with inventing pop stardom

Lizzo told the audience that the Jacksons “invented pop” and that their legacy will endure for 150 years,likening their influence to Mozart’s timelessness. She highlighted Janet Jackson’s role as “the queen of pop” and argued that Motown’s blueprint still underpins today’s chart‑topping music. According to the interview clip released on June 6, Lizzo believes no contemporary artist can match that magnitude of impact.

Prince crowned greatest guitarist of all time

When the conversation turnned to Prince, Lizzo described his guitar work as requiring “blisters and bleeding” from countless hours of practice, a level of dedication she says cannot be replicated by viral TikTok fame. She called Prince “the greatest guitar player of all‑time,” emphasizing the physical sacrifice behind his virtuosity. As she noted, the “Purple One” set a standard that modern musicians simply cannot reach.

New album debuts at No. 2 with 69,000 units

Lizzo’s first record in four years dropped on June 5 and landed at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, moving 69,000 total album‑equivalent units, per Luminate data cited in the report. The album’s title reclaims a once‑derogatory term, turning it into an anthem of self‑confidence, a move Lizzo says aligns with the empowerment legacy of artists like Meredith Brooks and Missy Elliott.

Why Lizzo says today’s artists face “too many distractions”

In the same interview, Lizzo warned that constant phone use and social‑media noise hinder deep artistic craft. she contrasted the relentless rehearsal schedules of Michael Jackson—practicing spins from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.—with the fleeting nature of viral fame,arguing that true greatness demands sustained, focused effort.

Who will fill the void left by Jackson and Prince?

The interview left open the question of whether any future act can replicate the cultural footprint of the Jacksons or Prince. lizzo herself declined to name a successor, stating that the level of dedication required is “not going to come to you after going viral on TikTok.” This silence underscores the uncertainty surrounding the next generation of pop innovators.