Lizzo has issued a press release after being accused of participating in sexual harassment and making a hostile working atmosphere amongst different allegations.
The ‘Particular’ pop star is being sued by three of her former backup dancers – Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez – in a lawsuit that names Lizzo, her manufacturing firm Large Grrrl Large Touring Inc., and her dance crew captain Shirlene Quigley as defendants.
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It’s mentioned that every one three of the aforementioned performers named within the swimsuit danced for Lizzo till earlier this yr, when Davis and Williams have been fired earlier than Rodriguez resigned shortly afterwards.
Davis and Williams each competed on the fact TV present Watch Out For The Large Grrrls to win the possibility to hitch the singer/rapper’s troupe of backing dancers. Rodriguez, in the meantime, started dancing with Lizzo after showing within the ‘Rumors’ music video.
The alleged incident of sexual harassment supposedly passed off in a strip membership in Amsterdam, which Lizzo and her dancers visited after a live performance within the Dutch capital this February. The dancers allege that Lizzo bullied Davis into touching a nude performer, to the purpose the place she led a chant goading her into doing so till she ultimately gave in, regardless of declining a number of occasions.
Moreover, the swimsuit states that Lizzo “started inviting forged members to take turns touching the nude performers, catching dildos launched from the performers’ vaginas, and consuming bananas protruding from the performers’ vaginas”. It continues: “Lizzo then turned her consideration to Ms. Davis and started pressuring Ms. Davis to the touch the breasts of one of many nude girls.”
Elsewhere, the three dancers accuse Lizzo of subjecting the group to an “excruciating” audition, following 12 hours of rehearsal after falsely accusing them of consuming alcohol on the job.
The swimsuit additionally alleges that Lizzo referred to as consideration to Davis’ weight achieve by telling her she was “much less dedicated” to her function, in contradiction to the body-positive ethos the star promotes via her music and model.
Lizzo, whose actual title is Melissa Viviane Jefferson, allegedly later berated and fired the dancer for recording a gathering due to a well being situation.
In the present day (August 3), Lizzo has responded through a press release on her official social media channels through which she claimed that the allegations are “false”.
“These previous few days have been intestine wrenchingly tough and overwhelmingly disappointing,” the message started. “My work ethic, morals and respectfulness have been questioned. My character has been criticized.”
Lizzo continued: “Normally I select not to reply to false allegations however these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous to not be addressed.
“These sensationalized tales are coming from former staff who’ve already publicly admitted that they have been informed their habits on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional.”
She added: “As an artist I’ve at all times been very captivated with what I do. I take my music and my performances critically as a result of on the finish of the day I solely wish to put out the very best artwork that represents me and my followers.
“With ardour comes exhausting work and excessive requirements. Typically I’ve to make exhausting selections however it’s by no means my intention to make anybody really feel uncomfortable or like they aren’t valued as an vital a part of the crew.
“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 few days. I’m very open with my sexuality and expressing myself however I can’t settle for or enable individuals to make use of that openness to make me out to be one thing I’m not.”
Lizzo went on: “There may be nothing I take extra critically than the respect we deserve as girls on this planet. I do know what it feels prefer to be physique shamed every day and would completely by no means criticize or terminate an worker due to their weight.
“I’m harm however I cannot let the great work I’ve completed on this planet be overshadowed by this. I wish to thank everybody who has reached out in help to carry me up throughout this tough time.”
The swimsuit additionally consists of allegations of spiritual and racial harassment, false imprisonment, interference with potential financial benefit and extra. Nevertheless, these claims don’t apply to all of the defendants within the case.
A certain quantity for damages that cowl emotional misery, unpaid wages, lack of earnings and authorized charges has not been disclosed.
In a press release offered to NBC, the dancers’ lawyer Ron Zambrano mentioned: “The beautiful nature of how Lizzo and her administration crew 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.”
Documentarian and photographer Sophia Nahli Allison has since mentioned that she give up a challenge with Lizzo in 2019 after being “handled with such disrespect by her”.
“I witnessed how smug, self-centered, and unkind she is,” the Academy Award nominee wrote. “I used to be not protected and was thrown right into a shitty scenario with little help. My spirit mentioned to run as quick as you fucking can and I’m so grateful I trusted my intestine.”
NME has reached out to Lizzo’s representatives for remark concerning Allison’s declare.
