Lizzo denies sexual harassment accusations from 3 former backup dancers, stating I am not the villain.
Lizzo denies sexual harassment accusations from 3 former backup dancers, stating I am not the villain.
Lizzo Faces Lawsuit Alleging Harassment and Hostile Work Environment
Singer and Grammy winner Lizzo is facing a civil lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, where three former dancers accused her and her production company of creating a hostile work environment. The plaintiffs, Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez, have made numerous allegations, including sexual, religious, and racial harassment, disability discrimination, assault, and false imprisonment.
According to the legal complaint, the incident took place during Lizzo’s visit to Amsterdam, where she and her crew attended a sexually themed show in the Red Light District. The dancers claim that Lizzo pressured them to engage with nude performers and publicly shamed one of them for her weight gain before firing her.
Lizzo, however, has responded to the allegations, saying, “I am not here to be looked at as a victim, but I also know that I am not the villain that people and the media have portrayed me to be these last few days.” She added, “I am very open with my sexuality and expressing myself, but I cannot accept or allow people to use that openness to make me out to be something I am not.”
While Lizzo’s body positivity message is well-known, the plaintiffs accuse her of hypocrisy, as she allegedly called one of the dancers out for her weight gain and accused her of not being committed to her role. Lizzo contends that she has to make hard decisions but never intends to make anyone feel uncomfortable or undervalued. She expressed her hurt and disappointment but added, “I will not let the good work I’ve done in the world be overshadowed by this.”
In addition to Lizzo, the lawsuit also names her production company, Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc., and Shirlene Quigley, the captain of the performer’s dance team. Quigley, who served as a judge on Lizzo’s reality show “Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls,” is accused in the lawsuit of pushing her Christian beliefs onto the dancers. The court filing claims Quigley referred to one of the dancers as a “non-believer” and openly stated, “No job and no one will stop me from talking about the Lord.”
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It is worth noting that Lizzo addressed the allegations by suggesting that they were coming from former employees who had already admitted their inappropriate and unprofessional behavior during the tour. She labeled the stories as “sensationalized” and claimed they were too outrageous not to be addressed.
Lizzo has had a successful career, winning a Grammy in the “Record of the Year” category for her hit single “About Damn Time.” Her fourth studio album, “Special,” was released in 2022, and she recently concluded a global tour supporting the album.
The plaintiffs in this lawsuit are seeking unspecified damages from Lizzo, her production company, and the dance team captain. As the case unfolds, it highlights the complex dynamics that can occur within the entertainment industry and serves as a reminder to ensure a safe and supportive work environment for all individuals involved.