Renowned Grammy-winning artist Lizzo is now the subject of a lawsuit filed by three professional dancers who claim she created a hostile work environment. The dancers, Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez, have brought forward a total of nine charges against Lizzo and her team. These allegations span from May 2021 to May 2023 and include weight-shaming, sexually denigrating behavior, preaching about sexuality and Christianity, and participating in disturbing sex shows. The dancers are represented by West Coast Employment Lawyers, who released a statement on the matter.
According to the statement, Lizzo and her management team treated their performers in a shocking manner that contradicts the artist’s public image promoting body positivity and self-love. Ron Zambrano, an attorney at WCEL, expressed his surprise at the discrepancy between the artist’s public persona and the alleged mistreatment of her dancers. He stated that the behavior exhibited towards the dancers was not only illegal, but also demoralizing.
In response to the allegations, the artist took to X Corp, a social media platform, to defend herself. She addressed the claims made by her former employees, noting that their behavior on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional. the artist emphasized her work ethic, morals, and respectfulness, stating that she takes her music and performances seriously and holds herself to high standards. While she acknowledged having to make difficult decisions, she made it clear that it was never her intention to make anyone feel uncomfortable or undervalued.
Lizzo, who has personally dealt with body shaming, denied the accusations of criticizing or firing an employee because of their weight. She reiterated her commitment to championing women’s rights and emphasized that it is a cause she takes incredibly seriously. However, Zambrano countered the artist’s denial, arguing that her denial of the alleged behavior only added to the emotional distress experienced by his clients. He claimed that the artist’s actions went against her own brand and disappointed her fans.
The lawsuit accuses the artist, her production company Big Grrrl Big Touring Inc., and the captain of her dance team, Shirlene Quigley, of creating an “intolerable” hostile work environment. The suit outlines several instances of alleged misconduct, including repeated exposure to nudity against the dancers’ wills and the sharing of lewd fantasies and tales of sexual encounters. One specific incident mentioned in the court documents involves the artist pressuring the dancers to engage with nude performers in Amsterdam’s red-light district, despite Davis expressing her discomfort and reluctance.
Another allegation in the lawsuit asserts that the artist aggressively confronted Rodriguez, who was resigning due to the mistreatment of Davis. The complaint states that the artist approached Rodriguez with clenched fists, cracking her knuckles while shouting obscenities. Although Lizzo was reportedly restrained, Rodriguez feared for her safety and believed that the artist might physically attack her.
Furthermore, the lawsuit claims that the artist falsely imprisoned Davis by keeping her in a room against her will. the artist allegedly held Davis there until tour staff searched her phone and iCloud storage. The court documents also reveal that Davis and Williams initially met Lizzo in March 2021 as contestants on the reality TV show “Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls.” Rodriguez joined the dance team in May 2021 after being hired for Lizzo’s “Rumors” music video. Davis and Williams were subsequently fired, while Rodriguez chose to resign due to Lizzo’s alleged mistreatment.
In conclusion, the artist finds herself entangled in a legal battle as three former dancers accuse her of creating a hostile work environment. While the artist vehemently denies the allegations, her former employees maintain that her actions contravene the principles she publicly espouses. The lawsuit sheds light on the conflicting narratives surrounding the artist’s treatment of her dancers and raises questions regarding the disconnect between an artist’s public image and their actions behind closed doors. As the legal proceedings unfold, the industry and the public will closely watch the outcome of this lawsuit and its potential impact on Lizzo‘s reputation.