Lizzo vehemently denies the allegations of sexual harassment, fat-shaming, and creating a hostile workplace made by three of her ex-dancers who filed a legal complaint on Tuesday.
In a statement shared on social media, the 35-year-old pop singer addressed the lawsuit and called the allegations “false,” “outrageous,” and “sensationalized.”
Lizzo expressed disappointment over the recent events, stating that her work ethic, morals, and respectfulness have been questioned and her character criticized. She emphasized that the stories are coming from former employees who have already acknowledged their inappropriate and unprofessional behavior on tour.
As an artist, Lizzo is passionate about her work and takes her music and performances seriously. She acknowledged having high standards but strongly emphasized that it was never her intention to make anyone feel uncomfortable or undervalued.
Lizzo refuses to be seen as a victim and rejects the portrayal of her as a villain by the media and public. Being open about her sexuality, she will not allow others to misuse her openness to create a false image of her. She emphasized her commitment to promoting respect for women and declared that she would never criticize or terminate an employee based on their weight.
Lizzo expressed sadness over the overshadowing of her work by the lawsuit. She thanked her supporters for their encouragement during this challenging time.
The lawsuit was filed against Lizzo, her dance captain Shirlene Quigley, and her production company Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc. (BGBT) by three ex-dancers, Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez. They accused Lizzo and her team of sexual harassment, religious and racial harassment, discrimination, and other charges. There are allegations that Lizzo pressured one of the dancers to interact with a nude performer against their will in Amsterdam.
Quigley is accused of proselytizing and shaming dancers for premarital sex, as well as discussing lewd sexual fantasies and publicly revealing one dancer’s virginity.
The dancers are seeking damages for emotional distress, unpaid wages, loss of earnings, and lawyer’s fees. They are no longer associated with Lizzo and her production company, with Davis and Williams being fired and Rodriguez resigning.
In an interview with CBS News, Davis and Williams mentioned that more employees have suffered under Lizzo’s alleged mistreatment but are hesitant to come forward due to fear for their jobs.
Support for the dancers’ lawsuit has been expressed by Lizzo’s former documentary director Sophia Nahli Allison and other ex-employees. Allison described Lizzo as “arrogant, self-centered, and unkind.”
According to the lawsuit, Davis claimed she was fat-shamed by Lizzo, who insinuated that Davis had gained weight during her employment. Davis stated that Lizzo didn’t directly criticize her weight but created an atmosphere where Davis felt the need to explain her weight gain and disclose intimate personal details to retain her job.
In her interview with CBS, Davis defended her dancing ability regardless of her body type. She emphasized that her energy and talent remained unchanged, with her weight being the only noticeable difference.
The lawsuit against Lizzo has gained significant attention on social media since its filing. Many fans expressed disappointment over the allegations, as Lizzo’s brand revolves around positivity, kindness, and acceptance.
Beyoncé also contributed to the discourse by excluding Lizzo’s name during a live performance of her song “Break My Soul (Queen’s Remix)” in Boston. Lizzo’s name is typically mentioned alongside other influential Black women in the lyrics, but Beyoncé replaced it with Erykah Badu’s name.
With additional information from Michelle Butterfield at Global News.
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