Lizzo lawsuit – latest: Ex-dancers’ lawyer hits back at singer’s response to sexual harassment claims
Plaintiff Arianna Davis alleges the Grammy winner made a ‘thinly-veiled’ comment about her weight and pressured her to touch nude performers at a strip club
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Lizzo has said “I’m not the villain” in response to sexual harassment and fat-shaming claims in a lawsuit filed by three former troupe members.
“These last few days have been gut wrenchingly difficult and overwhelmingly disappointing. My work ethic, morals and respectfulness have been questioned. My character has been criticized,” she wrote in a statement posted on her social media channels.
Shortly after the singer broke her silence, the accusers reacted in shock to Lizzo’s “disheartening” response to their claims during their first UK TV appearance since their allegations came to light on Tuesday (1 August).
“Initially for me it just further deepened my disappointment in regards to how I was feeling and how I was treated,” Crystal Williams said on Channel 4.
According to the legal filing, Lizzo (real name Melissa Viviane Jefferson) allegedly pressured one of her dancers, Arianna Davis into touching a nude performer at an Amsterdam strip club.
It is also alleged that the Grammy winner set up a humiliating 12-hour re-audition for her dancers, and fostered a hostile work environment.
‘The allegations against Lizzo have left fans like me shaken’
In a comment piece for The Independent, Nicole Vassel writes: “Of course, the movements of body positivity, anti-racism and women’s rights don’t rest solely on one person – the encouraging messages Lizzo has shared in the past are still valid, whatever the outcome of the lawsuit.
“As we all wait for more details to emerge, it’s too early to say what this situation means for our love of Lizzo and her music going forward. It’s always hard to hear of harmful behaviour from someone we admire. But because of just how much joy and inspiration Lizzo has sparked over the years, this one really hurts.”
Read more:
RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant describes Lizzo in as ‘uplifting and loving’
RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Kahanna Montrese is one figure who has voiced support for Lizzo in recent days. In an Instagram story, the drag performer shared a message telling the singer to “stay strong”.
“I refuse to let y'all tear down [one of] the most sweetest artists I've ever worked with,” Montrese wrote.
“She truly was so uplifting and loving to every single person on her tour.
ICYMI: Lizzo's defiant Instagram post just hours before lawsuit filed
Lyrics to Lizzo’s 2021 “Rumors”raise eyebrows in light of current legal battle
Lyrics from a famous Lizzo song are raising eyebrows in the wake of the lawsuit filed against the singer.
“Rumors”, released in 2021, features Cardi B and is about the protagonist dismissing gossip spread about her.
Since the news of three of Lizzo’s ex-dancers suing her for inappropriate workplace conduct broke earlier this week, some of the song’s lyrics have been circulating social media.
The lyrics read: “Had to cut some hoes loose, yeah / NDA, no loose lips / Now them hoes tryna sue me / B****, I don’t give two s***s / All the rumors are true, yeah.”
Lizzo’s past lyrics raise eyebrows after singer is sued by former dancers
Singer’s 2021 track sounds different in the wake of allegations made against her
Dancers’ attorney issues ultimatum after Lizzo says lawsuit claims are ‘outrageous’: ‘Let’s take it to trial’
After Lizzo published a denial of the allegations made against her earlier this week, the lawyer for the plaintiffs responded by proposing that they take the lawsuit to trial.
“Given Lizzo is denying that any of this happened, let’s take it to trial,” said Neama Rahmani, president of West Coast Employment Lawyers in a statement.
“More witnesses are coming forward every day corroborating the plaintiffs’ allegations, so we’re looking forward to facing Lizzo and her team in court.”
Dancers’ attorney issues ultimatum after Lizzo says lawsuit claims are ‘outrageous’
Plaintiffs’ lawyer says he’s ‘looking forward to facing Lizzo and her team in court’
Lizzo says dancers’ claims are ‘false’ in first response to lawsuit
In a statement shared on social media on Thursday, Lizzo addressed the lawsuit filed by three ex-employees accusing her of sexual harassment and of fostering a harmful work environment.
The singer denied the claims and hit back at “sensationalised stories” about her in recent days.
“My work ethic, morals and respectfulness have been questioned,” her statement began. “My character has been criticised. Usually I choose not to respond to false allegations but these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous to not be addressed.
“These sensationalised stories are coming from former employees who have already publicly admitted that they were told their behaviour on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional.
“As an artist I have always been very passionate about what I do. I take my music and my performances seriously because at the end of the day, I only want to put out the best art that represents me and my fans.”
You can read the statement in full below:
Lizzo breaks silence on sexual harassment claims from former dancers
Former employees allege inappropriate conduct by the ‘Truth Hurts’ singer
Beyoncé’s mother addresses speculation singer changed lyrics in response to Lizzo lawsuit
Beyoncé has been defended by her mother Tina Knowles after fans claimed she removed Lizzo’s name from a song during a recent performance.
During the set for her Renaissance world tour, the singer regularly performs “Break My Soul (The Queens Remix)”, in which she lists off a number of Black female artists, including Lizzo, Lauryn Hill, Betty Davis, and her sister Solange Knowles.
At a show this week, Beyoncé altered the lyrics and did not say Lizzo’s name. Many fans took this as a deliberate omission in response to the lawsuit filed against the “Truth Hurts” rapper – but her mother gave an alternative explanation.
Beyoncé’s mother addresses speculation singer changed song lyrics after Lizzo lawsuit
Beyoncé didn’t say Lizzo’s name during her performance of ‘Break My Soul (The Queens Remix)’ on Tuesday
Filmmaker Sophia Nahli Allison details Lizzo’s alleged ‘cruel’ behaviour that made her quit HBO documentary
Oscar-nominated filmmaker Sophia Nahli Allison has claimed quit a documentary about Lizzo because she displayed “unkind and cruel” behaviour.
The documentarian was set to make a film with Lizzo in 2019, but walked away after shadowing the singer for two weeks.
After the news that the singer was being sued by three former employees, Allison spoke out in support of the workers and claimed Lizzo was so “arrogant, unkind and cruel” that she quit the project.
Director details alleged ‘cruel’ Lizzo behaviour that made her quit HBO documentary
’Her image and ‘message’ is a curated facade,’ documentarian Sophia Nahli Allison said
Listen: The Independent's LA correspondent discusses Lizzo accusations on Woman's Hour
Lizzo: All the allegations made by former dancers – from sexual harassment to body shaming
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