US pop singer and rapper Lizzo has denied the charges made against her by three former dancers, who claim she sexually harassed them and fostered an unsafe work environment.
Accusations of racial and religious harassment are included in the complaint as well. It is alleged in the lawsuit that discrimination, violence, and wrongful imprisonment all occurred.
Lizzo attends the 2022 MTV VMAs at Prudential Center on August 28, 2022, in Newark, New Jersey.
Response to Allegations
The previous several days have been "gut-wrenchingly difficult and overwhelmingly disappointing," as described by the singer. She added, "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 dancers Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez are suing the singer, her dance captain, and Big Grrrl Big Touring (BGBT). Davis and Williams were let go from the dance team, while Rodriguez ultimately quit due to the alleged abuse of her coworkers.
Williams told CBS on Wednesday, August 2, that she hoped her testimony would help other dancers not have to go through that same trauma when working with Lizzo.
Claims Made Against the Pop Singer
Allegations in the Los Angeles lawsuit, which was filed on Tuesday, August 1, include that the dancers were forced into attending sex performances and socializing with the dancers there between 2021 and 2023.
According to BBC, one of the allegations made against Melissa Viviane Jefferson, better known as Lizzo, is that she pressured Davis "to touch the breasts" of a performer at an Amsterdam nightclub. After initially refusing, Davis gave in, "fearing it may harm her future on the team" if she did not comply.
Lizzo has made a name for herself by embracing her body and promoting body positivity. Nevertheless, she and her dance choreographer Tanisha Scott were accused of fat-shaming Davis while on tour.
The lawsuit also asserts that BGBT staff reprimanded dancers for "unacceptable and disrespectful" behavior throughout the tour. The lawsuit does not elaborate on the nature of the alleged misconduct.
The dancers claim that only the dance cast, comprised of full-figured women of color, were ever spoken to in this manner, leading them to believe that the remarks were laced with racism and fatphobia.
Furthermore, it claims that the dance team leader, Shirlene Quigley, made it clear that she disapproved of performers engaging in premarital sex and imposed her Christian values on them. She is also accused of sharing about a former dancer's virginity online and discussing the topic freely.
The management of BGBT has been claimed of a number of things, including racial prejudice. It says that some of the dancers on the squad were "treated differently" because of their race.
The plaintiffs also claim Lizzo and the production firm underpaid them on segments of her European tour.
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