What's Lizzo's Watch Out For The Big Grrrls About?

As she prepares for her 2022 tour, superstar singer Lizzo auditions a group of plus-sized dancers, who compete in a season's worth of choreography challenges to earn a spot on the road with her. 

Who's involved?

Lizzo herself is the big draw, and she's a significant part of every episode. She not only gives critiques at the end of challenges, but also participates in group activities and generally makes it clear she cares about the dancers. Joining her are choreographers Tanisha Scott and O.G. Big Grrrls Chawnta’ Marie Van, Shirlene Quigley, and Grace Holden, choreographer Charm La’Donna, body movement expert Rashida KhanBey Miller, and multi-platinum singer/songwriter SZA. Lizzo co-produces with Bunim/Murray Productions, the production company behind reality staples like The Real World and Project Runway.

Why (and to whom) do we recommend it?

It's a compliment to say that for long stretches, you can forget Watch Out for the Big Grrrls is a competition. While the dancers and Lizzo herself certainly respect the responsibility of preparing for a superstar tour, the focus is explicitly on why these women are already amazing, even without the show. Most of the episodes don't end with eliminations, yet all of them feature the dancers pushing themselves, overcoming personal demons, and performing complicated choreography. 

This approach plays to Lizzo's strengths, since both her music and her social media brand are focused on hard work, impeccable artistry, and self affirmation. And while some viewers may get tired of hearing trendy enlightenment phrases like "my journey" or "my truth," it's a pleasure to see so many talented women prove what they can do. 

And when the competition does move to the foreground, the results are thrilling. These women are here to dance, and the standouts nail some killer routines. It's always rewarding to watch nice, talented people succeed at this level. 

Pairs well with

• We're Here (HBO), a heartwarming reality show about A-list drag queens visiting small American towns.
• Making It (NBC), another competition series that puts joy and kindness ahead of beating other contestants.
• Shrill (Hulu), Aidy Bryant's Emmy-nominated comedy about a plus-sized woman learning to love herself as she is.