Pop star Lizzo, whose real name is Melissa Viviane Jefferson, has hit back at a lawsuit filed against her by three of her former backup dancers.
Dancers Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez accused the pop star and her team of body-shaming them, sexual harassment, and — in one case — holding one of the dancers against her will.
In a statement posted on Instagram and Twitter Thursday, Lizzo called the claims “outrageous” and “false.”
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In a recent statement, Lizzo addressed the allegations of inappropriate behavior made against her by former employees, expressing her disappointment and denying the claims. The allegations, which have sparked controversy, were filed in a lawsuit against Lizzo, her production company Big Grrrl Big Touring Inc, and Lizzo’s dance captain Shirlene Quigley, in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
Lizzo acknowledged that she usually chooses not to respond to false allegations, but she found these particular claims too outrageous not to address. According to her statement, the stories have come from former employees who had previously been told that their behavior on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional.
However, the dancers’ attorney, Ron Zambrano, responded to Lizzo’s statement, criticizing her denial and lack of empathy towards the plaintiffs. Zambrano accused Lizzo of causing emotional distress to the dancers and minimizing the trauma they experienced. He asserted that Lizzo’s behavior demoralized her dancers and allegedly violated the law.
The lawsuit, filed by dancers Davis, Williams, and Rodriguez, alleges that Lizzo sexually harassed them during a night out at a nude club in Amsterdam in February. The lawsuit claims that Lizzo encouraged cast members to engage in inappropriate activities with the nude performers at the club. These allegations have led to serious repercussions for the singer’s reputation.
In her statement, Lizzo expressed her openness with her sexuality but firmly stated that she would not accept false characterizations. She emphasized that she values the respect women deserve in the world and does not condone making anyone feel uncomfortable.
One aspect of the lawsuit alleges that Lizzo and her choreographer questioned Davis’ commitment to the job after she had gained some weight, which is a claim that seems to contradict Lizzo’s public brand of being body positive throughout her career.
Since the lawsuit became public, multiple women, including an Oscar-nominated filmmaker who previously worked with Lizzo, have come forward with their own negative experiences with the star.
The situation has raised awareness and sparked discussions about the treatment of employees in the entertainment industry. Davis, one of the dancers involved in the lawsuit, hopes that this legal action will serve as a wake-up call for artists and upcoming dancers, preventing similar incidents in the future.
As the case unfolds, both Lizzo and the plaintiffs await the legal process to determine the truth behind the allegations and to seek resolution for the emotional distress caused by the accusations.
