STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

Lizzo’s ‘SNL’ Appearance Honors Annie Lee’s Iconic Painting ‘Blue Monday’

She took to Instagram to thank everyone who helped her pull it all off.

Over the weekend, Lizzo made her third stage appearance as a musical performer on Saturday Night Live and honored another legendary Black artist in the process.

During her set, the 34-year-old sang “Breakup Twice,” which referenced the acclaimed Blue Monday self-portrait by visual artist Annie Lee. The painting features Lee faceless, sitting in a bed wearing a white slip and leaning in exhaustion.

Taking to Instagram on Monday (December 19), Lizzo posted a comparison between the painting and the scene she recreated, as well as a thankful caption to those who helped her pull it off.

“You get me, you really get me💙 thank you to my creative team for helping me pull this vision off w less than a week to prepare!” she captioned the post. “@tanishascott @q_thervandross @brettalannelson @iwantalexx @theshelbyswain @erierinailz @kevinbeisler 💙 y’all make miracles happen!”

Painted during the 1980s, Blue Monday is the epitome of Lee’s work, which often depicts faceless figures with their body posture telling the whole story.

"I think my paintings connect me to women," Lee said in a 1997 story run by the Chicago Tribune. "I know that how I feel is the way a lot of women feel."

WATCH: Lizzo Performs A Classic Stevie Wonder Christmas Song On SNL

WATCH: Lizzo Performs A Classic Stevie Wonder Christmas Song On SNL

"What she painted was what we all knew," she added, "but it was not art until she pointed it out."

Lee died in 2014 at the age of 79.

Additionally, during her second performance, Lizzo paid homage to another Black artist, channeling Stevie Wonder with a live rendition of her cover of “Someday At Christmas.” She took center stage with a background lit by Christmas trees and wearing a metallic gown with accented shoulders.

Latest News

Subscribe for BET Updates

Provide your email address to receive our newsletter.


By clicking Subscribe, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. You understand that you can unsubscribe at any time.