Good morning! OpenAI's former CTO Mira Murati has been in discussion with employees about joining her next venture, CVS Health is exiting its core infusion services business, and Lizzo says women are dominating the music industry—finally.
- About damn time. Four-time Grammy award winner Lizzo recalls being asked the same question repeatedly as she began her music career, first in rap.
“There weren't that many women in rap, so I had to endure this question thousands of times. ‘How do you feel about being a female rapper in a male-dominated industry?’” the 36-year-old singer told Fortune’s Ellie Austin on the first night of the Most Powerful Women Summit in Laguna Niguel, Calif. “I started to resent that question, and I would answer, ‘You know what, my dream is that one day there are so many women that are dominating in the industry that you can fill an entire festival slot with just women.’ And that dream has come true.’”
Artists like Chappell Roan and SZA are redefining the music industry, Lizzo said, adding that she admires how Roan has navigated her quick and at times bumpy rise to fame—one that mirrors Lizzo's own entry into the spotlight. “It's an incredible time to be a woman, an artist, and a fan,” she said. “Fans are getting fed right now because there's so much great music out, and I'm so proud of my contemporaries and my sisters.”
Her appearance capped the end of the extended break Lizzo had taken from public appearances since she was accused of creating a toxic work environment, allegations she has steadfastly denied. She also told the crowd she had already cast her vote for Kamala Harris, and was no longer afraid of being canceled, joking that she has pretty much been canceled for everything. She declined to discuss the allegations and lawsuit directly.
She also talked about her other main endeavor: her shapewear brand Yitty. She appreciates competition from Spanx and Kim Kardashian's Skims. “How cool it is to finally be in a place where we can say that inclusive shapewear is a crowded category," she said. "I think that every business owner's dream is to see their business continue beyond them, and I...want [Yitty] to be known for what it's actually good at.”
The idea for Yitty came from Lizzo's experience looking for size-inclusive shapewear. “I have been through the shame and pain of wearing shapewear in middle school and wearing these garments that aren't breathable,” she tells Fortune. “Young girls don't have to grow up the way that I did with no options.”
Stay tuned for more from the MPW Summit tomorrow.
Alexa Mikhail
alexa.mikhail@fortune.com
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