In January 2020, the former Biggest Loser trainer stated on Buzzfeed News’ digital series AM to DM, “Why are we celebrating [Lizzo’s] body? Why does it matter? Why aren’t we celebrating her music? ‘Cause it isn’t going to be awesome if she gets diabetes.” Fans accused Michaels of fat-shaming the star.

Lizzo later expressed on Instagram, “I have done nothing wrong. I forgive myself for thinking I was wrong in the first place. I deserve to be happy.” She also added, “If my name is in your mouth, so is my p—y, bitch. Enjoy the flavor!”

Michaels later commented on E!’s Daily Pop, “We cannot deny the inevitable fact that being overweight leads to heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and these things kill people. So if me telling you I don’t celebrate someone being overweight because it could kill them is fat-shaming, ya got me. But by the way, I also don’t celebrate anybody’s weight. I don’t celebrate you if you’re a [size] 0. I don’t celebrate you if you’re a [size] 6. I don’t care.”

“And the argument that I’m trying to make is that I think people have felt so marginalized for so long and so excluded for so long, that the pendulum has swung to this place where it’s like, ‘You can’t hurt me with this, I love being overweight,'” Michaels continued. “And that’s the part where I, as a health expert, have to say, this will kill you.”

“I don’t celebrate anyone being overweight because it kills people,” she said. “And denying that fact because it’s politically correct isn’t honorable and isn’t virtuous. It’s irresponsible and arguably dangerous. I just, I’m sorry I won’t lie because it’ll make you like me. I don’t think it’s doing anyone any favors.”