Three former dancers for the pop artist filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles, alleging labour law violations that included what their attorneys described as humiliation and sexual harassment.
One of the claims centres on a sex show in Amsterdam’s red-light district that the dancers claim they were forced to go to. Lizzo allegedly forced her dancers to interact with the nudists at the performance, according to the lawsuit.
Shirlene Quigley, Lizzo’s dance instructor, is also accused of promoting her Christian ideas, particularly against premarital sex, and making frequent sexual remarks, “regardless of protestations.”
Lizzo wrote on social media on Thursday, “Usually I choose not to respond to false allegations but these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous to not be addressed.”
Former employees who have already publicly acknowledged that they were informed that their behaviour on tour was wrong and unprofessional are the source of these sensationalised claims.
The lawsuit claims that Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc. (BGBT), Lizzo’s production firm, and its white managers “often accused the Black members of the dance team of being lazy, unprofessional, and having bad attitudes.”
The same charges were not levelled against dancers who are not Black, according to the complaint quoted in the statement. “Not only do these words ring familiar as tropes used to disparage and discourage Black women from advocating for themselves, but the same accusations were not levied against dancers who are not Black,” the complaint continued.
“Only the dance cast — comprised of full-figured women of colour — were ever spoken to in this manner, giving Plaintiffs the impression that these comments were charged with racial and fat-phobic animus,” the statement continued.
The charges were especially shocking in light of Lizzo’s frequent messages of body positivity and self-love.
She avoided addressing the allegations made against Quigley directly. Lizzo did vehemently refute the accusations of body-shaming.
“I take nothing more seriously than the respect we as women should receive around the globe. I understand how it feels to be subjected to body shaming on a daily basis, so I would never criticise or dismiss an employee due to their weight, Lizzo added.
“I’m hurt, but I won’t let this eclipse the good deeds I’ve done for the world. I want to express my gratitude to everyone who has offered their assistance in encouraging me during this trying period.
Lizzo “failed her own brand” with her response, according to Ron Zambrano, the lawyer for the plaintiffs Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez, who claimed Lizzo’s remark demonstrated a “utter lack of empathy.”
“Her denial of this reprehensible behaviour only adds to our clients’ emotional distress,” the attorney claimed.
