Lizzo uses People’s Choice Awards speech to honor teacher killed in Uvalde massacre

The Houston-raised singer brought 17 women activists onstage, including Maggie Mireles-Thomas of Uvalde. Mireles-Thomas is the sister of Eva Mireles, a fourth-grade teacher who was killed during the May 24 mass shooting at Rob Elementary School in Uvalde. The gunman killed 19 students and two teachers before he was stopped by police.

“Her sister Eva Mireles was a teacher and a hero who lost her life protecting her students,” Lizzo said as she fought back tears. “Maggie is continuing her fight against senseless and despicable gun violence that has become far too common.”

The two shared a hug onstage as the audience cheered.

Mireles-Thomas was among several honorees whose causes included the Flint water crisis, Iranian women and abortion rights. Also onstage were transgender dancer Jayla Rose, featuring on “Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls”; and Tamika Palmer, the mother of Breonna Taylor, who was killed by police in her apartment.

“Give them their flowers!” Lizzo shouted at the end of her speech. “Power will always be to the people!”

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Lizzo won a second awards for “About Damn Time,” named Song of 2022. The singer said she was initially “on the fence” about accepting The People’s Champion award.

“If I’m the people’s champ, I don’t need a trophy for championing people,” she said.