Lizzo Faces Lawsuit Alleging Harassment by Former Dancers: What You Need to Know
Three former dancers who worked with Lizzo have filed a lawsuit against the singer, her production company, and dance captain Shirlene Quigley.
The dancers, Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez, claim they experienced s**ual, religious, and racial harassment, as well as disability discrimination, assault, and false imprisonment.
The lawsuit has prompted other former collaborators to come forward with their own allegations.
Lizzo’s team has submitted sworn statements from 18 employees in her defense.
Here’s a breakdown of what we know about the lawsuit and Lizzo’s response.
The Lawsuit Allegations
According to the lawsuit, while on tour, Lizzo invited the dancers to a nude-performance club in Amsterdam and pressured one dancer, Davis, to touch another performer’s bre-sts.
The dancers allege that they went along with it out of fear of losing their jobs.
Later, Lizzo allegedly pulled down a security team member’s pants and hit him with whips.
The following week, the dancers claim they were taken to a n^de cabaret bar in Paris without prior notification.
The lawsuit also accuses Lizzo’s production company of mistreating the dancers, specifically targeting the Black members of the team with accusations of laziness, unprofessionalism, and bad attitudes.
Davis further claims that she was fat-shamed by Lizzo and choreographer Tanisha Scott, who questioned her commitment to the tour after noticing her weight gain.
Additional Allegations
Lawyers representing the dancers have received inquiries from at least six other individuals who have made similar allegations against Lizzo.
These claims involve a s**ually charged environment and failure to pay employees.
Asha Daniels, a former tour stylist, has also filed a lawsuit against Lizzo, alleging an unsafe and s**ually charged workplace culture.
Accusations Against Dance Captain Shirlene Quigley
The lawsuit alleges that Quigley, who was a dance captain and judge on Lizzo’s reality competition show, repeatedly brought up Davis’ virginity and mentioned it in interviews and social media posts.
The lawsuit also claims that Quigley singled out Rodriguez as a non-believer.
Lizzo’s Response
Lizzo denied the allegations in a Notes app statement, stating that they were false and sensationalized.
She emphasized her commitment to high standards and hard work but denied making anyone feel uncomfortable or undervalued due to their weight.
Lizzo filed a legal response denying all allegations against her and requested a jury trial if the case proceeds.
Support and Opposition
Other former employees have come forward with their own experiences.
Documentarian Sophia Nahli Allison claimed she was treated disrespectfully by Lizzo during their time working together.
However, current employees have expressed support for Lizzo, thanking her for creating a positive and inclusive environment on tour.
Lizzo’s legal team submitted sworn statements from 18 employees challenging the claims made in the lawsuit.
The Lawsuit Continues
Lizzo’s legal team has filed a motion to dismiss the case, arguing that it infringes on free speech.
The plaintiffs
