Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini, known as Doja Cat, is an American rapper and singer born on October 21, 1995, in Los Angeles. She started sharing her music on SoundCloud as a teenager, and her track “So High” grabbed the attention of Kemosabe and RCA Records. This led to her signing a recording contract before releasing her debut extended play, Purrr!, in 2014.
After a break from music and a somewhat quiet release of her first studio album, Amala (2018), Doja Cat gained viral fame with her 2018 single “Mooo!” and became an internet sensation. Building on her popularity, she released her second studio album, Hot Pink, in the next year. The album reached the top ten of the US Billboard 200, featuring the hit single “Say So,” with a remix featuring Nicki Minaj topping the Billboard Hot 100.
In 2021, her third studio album, Planet Her, spent four weeks at number two on the Billboard 200 and produced successful singles like “Kiss Me More” (featuring SZA), “Need to Know,” and “Woman.” Her fourth studio album, Scarlet (2023), showcased a hip-hop sound and achieved a top-five position on the Billboard 200. The lead single, “Paint the Town Red,” became her most successful solo track, marking her first number-one on the Hot 100.
Doja Cat, lauded as a “skillful technical rapper with a robust melodic sense and a daring visual presence” by The Wall Street Journal, has made a name for herself by crafting videos and performances that go viral on platforms like TikTok. Well-versed in internet culture, she is celebrated for her witty online persona and captivating stage presence. Over the course of her career, she has amassed a collection of prestigious awards, including a Grammy, five Billboard Music Awards, five American Music Awards, and five MTV Video Music Awards. Billboard has crowned her as one of the prominent commercial artists of the 2020s, while Time recognized her influence by featuring her on the list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2023.
How did Doja Cat’s Fat Loss Journey Begin?
Doja Cat’s weight loss journey was indeed challenging, demanding significant mental and physical strength to achieve. The motivation behind this transformation stemmed from her struggle with body dysmorphia, a topic she explored in her song “Juicy.”
In an interview, she reflected on the origins of her body image issues, stating, “It started during my teens, which I think is where it begins for most people. I started really growing, and I never really thought I looked good in a lot of the stuff I wore. I feel like that song (‘Juicy’) was therapeutic for me; I kind of made it for myself – well, the meaning behind it, at least. I was kind of doing it for my own happiness, and I feel like other people can definitely pull some joy from that, too. Now I just try to focus on eating well, but I definitely still struggle with body dysmorphia a bit now. But I think that’s to be completely expected when there are all these phones in your face, right.”
When discussing her decision to lose weight, Doja Cat emphasized the significance of self-motivation for achieving fitness goals. She stressed that external opinions did not concern her; instead, her weight loss journey was a personal choice driven by a desire to demonstrate the possibilities achievable through determination.
So, how did Doja Cat shed the pounds? Through a combination of embracing a healthy lifestyle, engaging in regular physical exercises, and seeking guidance from a gym instructor, she underwent a remarkable transformation from being perceived as overweight to attaining a fit and toned physique. This impressive change garnered praise, even from social media critics, highlighting the success of her weight loss journey, where she lost a noteworthy 20 pounds in a relatively short period.
Doja Cat’s weight loss journey was primarily guided by a disciplined approach to her diet and consistent physical exercises. Initially, she enjoyed a diverse range of foods, contributing to an unhealthy lifestyle. However, realizing the need for change, she adopted a strict diet plan.
While Doja Cat hasn’t explicitly detailed her weight loss diet, she occasionally dropped hints on Twitter and Instagram about her food choices. A 2020 Instagram fridge tour showcased items like quinoa, Mediterranean tuna, various sauces, and Erewhon “health shots” loaded with minerals and antioxidants.
The Doja Cat Diet
The rapper actively avoided junk foods and alcohol, shifting toward a diet focused on low-carb options, green leafy vegetables, and protein-rich foods. During the lockdown, she embraced cooking and maintained a varied diet plan:
- Breakfast: 2 eggs, toast
- Lunch: Salmon/tuna fish, vegetables
- Evening snack: Seaweed chips, coffee
- Dinner: Spinach, chicken steak, salads
Doja Cat’s diet included regular hydration with ample water, consumption of fruits, and sufficient sleep for overall well-being.
Doja Cat – Workout Regime
Regarding her workout routine, Doja Cat didn’t delve into specific details, but she affirmed a commitment to daily running for at least 15 minutes, either on a treadmill or outdoors. Cycling was another fitness activity she engaged in during the evenings. While some sources speculated surgical interventions, Doja Cat adamantly denied such claims, attributing her transformation solely to a well-maintained diet and consistent exercise.
Reportedly, she incorporated a range of high-intensity weight training exercises, including squats, bench step-ups, push-ups, incline dumbbell presses, kettlebell swings, lunges, and crunches. Whether during lockdown or not, these exercises could be performed with minimal equipment, showcasing her commitment to staying fit and healthy.
Doja Cat confronted body shamers and cyberbullies by taking a stand on social media. She addressed the negativity with a powerful message on Twitter, asserting her autonomy over her body and life. In a tweet, she declared, “My body is mine, my choices are mine, my life is my own. No one has the right to tell me what I can and cannot do with it.”
To amplify her message, Doja Cat released a music video for her song “Juicy.” The video showcased her confidently dancing in outfits of various sizes and shapes, embracing herself without fear or shame. This visual representation served as a potent reminder that everyone deserves the freedom to exist and express themselves in ways that bring them happiness and comfort.
Doja Cat didn’t just rely on wishful thinking to shed those pounds—she put in the work. According to research, combining exercise with lifestyle changes is a winning strategy for weight loss, and Doja Cat took this advice to heart. Her successful weight loss journey involved a disciplined workout routine and a strict diet.
What’s her secret? Well, it’s not much of a secret—she’s all about variety. Doja Cat’s exercise routine includes cardio, cycling, dancing, running, weight training, and hitting the gym. The twist? She does cardio exercises twice a day, both in the morning and evening, ensuring she burns enough calories to reach her weight loss goals.
But it’s not just about the calories. She also incorporates resistance training to sculpt her body and keep that lean muscle mass intact. From bicep curls and shoulder presses for the upper body to kettlebell workouts and jumping squats for the lower body, Doja Cat keeps it simple yet effective.
Did Doja Cat opt for surgery for weight loss?
No, Doja Cat hasn’t undergone surgery for weight loss. Contrary to rumors, her transformation is a result of a disciplined approach involving a mix of exercises and a strict diet, as mentioned above.
While Doja Cat has been open about her cosmetic procedures, including breast reduction surgery and liposuction, these are distinct from her weight loss journey. In a recent tweet, the “Say So” singer confirmed the procedures, mentioning that she “got [her] t**ties done” and had liposuction on her thighs. She expressed satisfaction with the results, describing how good they look.
Liposuction, , is a cosmetic procedure aimed at removing unwanted body fat from specific areas. It’s not a weight loss method but rather a way to reshape the body. In her case, Doja Cat clarified that her weight loss was achieved through lifestyle changes, not surgery.
Doja Cat has been vocal about her appearance and choices, addressing critics who commented on her shaved head and matching eyebrows in the past. She stated that she was quite pleased with her new self.