Lizzo sued by former dancers for sexual harassment and hostile work environment allegations
Anish Vij
Featured Image Credit: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images/Miikka Skaffari/FilmMagic
American rapper Lizzo and her production company have been sued by three former dancers over alleged sexual harassment and a 'hostile work environment'.
The complaint was filed on Tuesday (1 August) against the singer - real name Melissa Viviane Jefferson - and production company Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc (BGBT).
Shirlene Quigley, the captain of Lizzo’s dance team, has also been accused of allegations.
Lizzo's three former dancers - Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez - claim they were subject to sexual, religious and racial harassment, disability discrimination, assault and false imprisonment, among other allegations.
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Rodriguez resigned over the alleged 'appalling behaviour', while Davis and Williams were fired from their positions, their lawyer has said.
Part of the lawsuit details a trip to Amsterdam’s red light district, in February 2023, in which performers were allegedly pressured to come along on nights out through fear of losing their jobs.
One visit to a club named Bananenbar allegedly resulted in performers being encouraged to touch nude performers by Lizzo.
“Plaintiffs were aghast with how little regard Lizzo showed for the bodily autonomy of her employees and those around her, especially in the presence of many people whom she employed,” the complaint read.
Lawyer Ron Zambrano said: "The stunning nature of how Lizzo and her management team treated their performers seems to go against everything Lizzo stands for publicly.
"While privately she weight-shames her dancers and demeans them in ways that are not only illegal but absolutely demoralizing."
The US singer, known for her advocacy of body-positivity and inclusivity, hired plus-sized performers through her reality show Watch Out For The Big Grrrls.
The dancers accused Lizzo of allegedly calling attention to Davis’ weight gain and later berating and then firing her 'on the spot' after she recorded a meeting because of a health condition.
Lizzo also allegedly 'hurled expletives' at her dancers and acted 'aggressively' towards Williams by 'cracking her knuckles (and) balling her fists', the complaint stated.
After being fired, Davis was allegedly kept in a room while a member of the security team searched her phone.
It was also claimed that the singer accused dancers of 'not performing up to par and repeatedly accused the dancers of drinking alcohol before shows even though the dance cast had never partaken in such a practice'.
The alleged behaviour of Quigley was also noted during the suit, and it was alleged that she had often 'pushed' her Christian beliefs on members of the dance group and made them feel 'uncomfortable'.
It is not made clear in the lawsuit whether Lizzo knew of allegations against Quigley.
Tyla has contacted Lizzo's representatives, the dancers' attorney and Shirlene Quigley for comment.