Grammy-Award-winning musician Lizzo is combating again in opposition to a slew of allegations from former staff claiming they had been aware of a hostile work atmosphere and harassment.
The singer was hit with a lawsuit on behalf of three former backup dancers claiming that between Might 2021 and Might 2023, they had been “weight-shamed, compelled to endure sexually denigrating conduct and preaching about sexuality and Christianity, and had been pressured into collaborating in disturbing intercourse exhibits” by Lizzo.
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“The gorgeous nature of how Lizzo and her administration staff handled their performers appears to go in opposition to every little thing Lizzo stands for publicly, whereas privately she weight-shames her dancers and demeans them in methods that aren’t solely unlawful however completely demoralizing,” a lawyer for the previous staff mentioned Ron Zambrano in an announcement.
Lizzo performs at Qudos Financial institution Enviornment on July 23, 2023 in Sydney, Australia (Getty Photographs)
On Thursday, Lizzo issued a response denying the contents of the lawsuit and calling the claims “outrageous” and “unbelievable.”
“These previous couple of days have been gut-wrenchingly tough and overwhelmingly disappointing. My work ethic, morals and respectfulness have been questioned. My character has been criticized,” she wrote. “Often, I select not to reply to false allegations however these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous to not be addressed.”
The singer claimed that the staff who filed the go well with had been made conscious by Lizzo’s staff that the way in which they behaved and acted on the tour was “inappropriate,” and that it is by no means been her intention to make individuals really feel “uncomfortable” whereas underneath her administration.
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“I’m not right here to be checked out as a sufferer, however I additionally know that I’m not the villain that folks and the media have portrayed me to be these previous couple of days,” she continued. “I am harm however I can’t let the nice work I’ve executed on this planet be overshadowed by this. I wish to thank everybody who has reached out in help to raise me up throughout this tough time.”
The lawsuit was filed by former dancers Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez and names Melissa Viviane Jefferson (Lizzo’s authorized title), Shirlene Quigley (Lizzo’s dance staff captain), and Large Grrrl Large Touring (Lizzo’s manufacturing firm) because the defendant.
