Lizzo slams sexual harassment and bodyshaming allegations as outrageous

In response to the serious claims, American pop star Lizzo took to social media to address the accusations, stating that they were "false", and shared her thoughts on the recent developments. The situation quickly became a media sensation, leaving fans and observers torn between supporting their beloved artist and standing in solidarity with the dancers who spoke out.

Lizzo breaks silence

Lizzo found herself at the centre of a controversy when three of her former dancers, Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez, levied serious allegations against her, including sexual harassment, creating a hostile work environment, religious and racial harassment, discrimination, assault, and false imprisonment. 

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In her statement, Lizzo admitted that the last few days had been "gut-wrenchingly difficult and overwhelmingly disappointing". 

• She acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations, referring to them as "unbelievable" and "outrageous", while expressing her usual practice of not responding to false accusations. 
• However, the severity and sensationalism of the claims compelled her to address the situation directly, she wrote.

As an artist, she claims that she has always been known for her passion, work ethic, and respectfulness and that she takes her music and performances seriously, driven by her desire to put out the best art that represents both herself and her fans. 

With such dedication comes hard work and high standards, which sometimes necessitate tough decisions, and Lizzo maintains that it was never her intention to make anyone feel uncomfortable or undervalued as part of her team.

The allegations

The dancers, in their interviews with the BBC, characterised Lizzo as "less of a villain and more of an anti-hero". They believed that while she might have made mistakes, she had redeemable qualities and the potential to change. Their goal was not to tear her down but to seek justice, be heard, and push for change within the industry, which they felt happened all too often.

However, the allegations against Lizzo were serious and multifaceted.

The dancers accused her of pressuring them to touch another performer's breasts at a nightclub in Amsterdam, who allegedly resisted but ultimately complied, fearing that refusal could harm future prospects within the dance team, which if true, raises concerns about power dynamics and consent within the team.

The lawsuit also included accusations of fat-shaming and racial discrimination. Lizzo and her dance choreographer, Tanisha Scott, allegedly raised concerns about a person’s weight gain, perpetuating harmful stereotypes about dancers and performers.

• The dancers claimed that such comments were targeted specifically at full-figured women of colour in their troupe, suggesting racial and fat-phobic animus.

Moreover, the dancers accused the team's captain, Shirlene Quigley, of pushing her Christian beliefs on the performers and making inappropriate comments about their personal lives.

• According to the lawsuit, Quigley openly discussed one of the dancers' virginity and posted about it on social media, raising questions about respect for personal boundaries and professionalism within the team.

The legal action, filed in Los Angeles, provided a comprehensive account of the dancers' experiences during their time with Lizzo's production company, Big Grrrl Big Touring (BGBT), between 2021 and 2023. 

• The dancers claimed they were pressured into attending sex shows and interacting with the performers during those shows, which further exacerbated the hostile work environment they described.

In her statement, Lizzo defended herself against being portrayed solely as a victim but also rejected the idea of being cast as the villain. She emphasised her open expression of sexuality but condemned attempts to use it against her and twist her image. 

• The singer stated that she has experienced body-shaming herself and would never criticise or terminate an employee based on their weight, underscoring her commitment to respecting women's dignity.

The dancers' decision to go public with their grievances was allegedly not their first choice. 

They asserted that they had made several attempts to handle the situation privately, holding meetings with Lizzo and management to address their concerns. However, their efforts were met with resistance, cancellations, and ultimately dismissal, leading them to see it as a last resort to seek accountability and change.

Mixed reactions

As the media and public reacted to the unfolding situation, opinions were sharply divided. Some fans expressed unwavering support for Lizzo, arguing that the allegations might be false or exaggerated, while others demanded justice for the dancers and systemic change within the entertainment industry. 

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Lizzo's response, denying the allegations and expressing her commitment to respect and professionalism, further complicated the narrative.

What makes matters worse is that she is being represented by Hollywood lawyer Marty Singer for her harassment and toxic workplace lawsuit. Singer’s clientele ranges from a variety of stars, including Bill Cosby, Johnny Depp, Charlie Sheen, Chris Brown, Brett Ratner, and currently, Jonah Hill.

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