in every iteration of eliza’s story, there comes a time where she makes it big - simultaneously, she hits rock bottom. public exploitation, loss of all autonomy, loss of her own internal connections and external relationships - addiction and overdose. after hitting rock bottom, she is usually afforded the rarely-gifted opportunity of choice. the choice to grow or stay stagnant.
the ‘stripped bare’ performances are a turning point for eliza. whether it’s the independence found from leaving abusive labels + relationships, getting sober, reaffirmation in her own autonomy and her self-worth, suffering major personal loss or all of the above combined, she reclaims her public image by laying it all out, stripped bare.
with no accompaniments (save for her singular acoustic guitar, standing mic and amps loud enough for all to hear), she sits naked on a stool and plays her music the way it was intended to exist. by her own rules, stripped of all conditions and terms - concurrently by her own accord, and by the forced hand of those who gave her no other choice but to start over.