Songfacts®:

• Released on August 13, 2021, "Rumors" marked Lizzo's first new song since the release of her third studio album, Cuz I Love You, 28 months previously. In the meantime, the plus-sized singer became a fixture on the net as people discussed her appearance and actions. During this brash and brassy song, Lizzo criticizes the rumormongers and the tittle-tattle they spread online.
• Cardi B joins Lizzo on the track. The Bronx rapper reiterates the song's concept of being all true and not giving a damn what others think. She flexes about her records living in the Top 10 and takes issue with deceitful artists who post fake streaming numbers.
• The song marks Lizzo's first collaboration with Cardi B. Lizzo told Zane Lowe on Apple Music her fellow Atlantic artist was her one and only choice for the song. "There was literally no one else," the Texas-raised star said. "From the day the ink dried on her Atlantic contract, I said, 'Please get me on a song with Cardi B.' She's just funny. I like funny people and she can rap."
• Lizzo and Cardi B wrote the song in February 2021 with one half of the songwriting duo Rock City, Theron Thomas, as well as Nate Mercereau, Torah Carr, and the track's producer, Ricky Reed. Reed also worked on Lizzo's hits "Truth Hurts" and "Good As Hell."
• The instrumentation is:
  
  Guitars: Nate Mercereau, Tele
  Drums: Thomas Pridgen
  Percussion: Victor Indrizzo
  Keyboards: Ricky Reed, Nate Mercereau, Tele
  Bass synthesizer: Ricky Reed
  Baritone saxophone: Donald Hayes
  Trombone and bass Trombone: Lemar Guillary
  Flugelhorn and trumpet: Mike Cordone
  Alto vocals, tenor vocals: Donald Hayes
• Tanu Muino directed the video, which depicts Lizzo and Cardi B as Ancient Greek figures. The Ukrainian director previously filmed Cardi B's "Up" clip.
• Lizzo quips in the song she's yet to have sex with Drake. Asked by Apple Music's Zane Lowe about name checking the Toronto rap star, she said: "I just thought it would be so funny to say. I have a small relationship with him. He's very cool. I just feel like women, there's so many times where girls' names get dropped in songs because they're fine."
• In August 2023, three of Lizzo's former backup dancers initiated a lawsuit. The legal action leveled a range of accusations against the singer, including claims of sexual, religious, and racial harassment, the establishment of a hostile work environment, and engaging in weight-shaming. In response, Lizzo refuted the allegations, deeming them to be "unbelievable."
  
  During this song, Lizzo sings about signing NDAs and not being afraid of lawsuits. "Rumors" was released in August 2021, the same year the dancers allege they were harassed and abused. In the light of the lawsuit, some interpreted the lyrics as a sign that Lizzo knew she was doing something wrong and was trying to cover her tracks. Others say the lyrics just reflect the reality of being a celebrity and being constantly under attack.