Pop star Lizzo is speaking out after her chart-topping hit “About Damn Time” was played without her consent during a military parade held in honor of the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary, an event closely tied to President Donald Trump. The parade, held on Saturday, June 14, in Washington, D.C., drew national attention not for its spectacle, but for its low turnout and a staggering $45 million price tag, which sparked widespread mockery online.
During the event, a cover version of Lizzo’s 2022 hit blared from a concert stage set up in front of the Washington Monument. As political tensions ran high and protests unfolded nearby, the unauthorized use of her music added fuel to the fire.
Lizzo took to TikTok to express her outrage. In a viral video, she made a visibly disgusted face while her song played in the background, then pointedly signaled “cut” with her finger. The caption read, “Cease & desist,” sending a clear message that legal action may follow. According to The Mirror US, fans quickly rallied behind her. “Girl, cease and desist immediately,” one user commented. Another added, “YASSSS LIZZO,” while a third wrote, “The first thing I said was I don’t think Lizzo would appreciate this.”
Beyond her reaction to the song’s use, Lizzo also addressed broader concerns. She took to Instagram to condemn the reported threats made against protesters by law enforcement during the parade, calling them “unconstitutional.” Her comments came amid a week of nationwide unrest, further amplifying criticism of the event’s political undertones. Recently, Nancy Wilson, of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group Heart, also raised a similar concern. Wilson claimed that her song “Barracuda,” off Heart’s 1977 album “Little Queen,” were also used during Saturday’s parade without permission.