Lizzo’s Viral Song Scandal

Lizzo is facing a new copyright lawsuit after allegedly sampling a 1970s soul track without permission — on a song that became a viral sensation for its cheeky nod to actress Sydney Sweeney.

The GRC Trust claims the pop star lifted elements of Win or Lose (We Tried), originally recorded by Sam Dees, in a short teaser Lizzo posted to social media in August. The post, which fans nicknamed Good Jeans, quickly spread after referencing Sweeney’s American Eagle campaign — a campaign that itself stirred controversy for its portrayal of “great genes.”

According to legal papers filed in California, GRC argues Lizzo “profited” from the unauthorized sample and is demanding an injunction and full financial restitution. The organization says it attempted to resolve the matter privately but was “forced to take action” after negotiations broke down.

Lizzo’s team has dismissed the suit as premature. “We are surprised that The GRC Trust filed this lawsuit,” her spokesperson said, noting that the track “has never been commercially released or monetized.”

The snippet — just 13 seconds long — has since been removed from Lizzo’s social channels, but not before igniting debate across pop culture circles. In the clip, Lizzo washed a Porsche in denim shorts while singing, “I got good jeans like I’m Sydney,” a line interpreted as both playful and provocative depending on political leanings.

This isn’t the first time the Grammy winner has faced a copyright dispute. In 2019, she was sued over Truth Hurts before reaching an out-of-court settlement—a reminder that for artists at the center of pop culture storms, the fine line between homage and infringement remains as tricky as ever.