Lizzo’s legal team said the singer plans to countersue the three backup dancers who accused her of sexual harassment and creating a hostile environment in a lawsuit filed earlier this month.
On Wednesday, Lizzo’s lawyer, Marty Singer, shared photos of plaintiffs Ariana Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez “happily cavorting backstage” with topless performers at the Crazy Horse’s topless cabaret show on March 5 in Paris, People reported.
Singer said the photos were taken a month after the alleged accusers said the “Truth Hurts” artist forced them to engage in sexual activity at another European club.
“These images showing the three plaintiffs gleefully reveling backstage after the topless show were taken after their February 2023 visit to Bananenbar in Amsterdam that they complain about in their lawsuit,” he wrote in a statement.
As Blavity reported, Davis is one of the backup dancers who accused Lizzo of weight-shamming comments, forcing her to engage with nude dancers at the club and later firing her after secretly recording a dance session due to a health condition.
Singer, however, has questioned the validity of Davis’ claims after she and the other two dancers returned to work for the 35-year-old after the Paris outing, per People. He said Davis also submitted an audition tape for Lizzo’s show Watch Out for the Big Grrrls, gushing over the singer and wanting to “follow in her footsteps.”
“After Ms. Davis’s audition video became public, she tried to explain away her glowing comments about Lizzo by claiming the ‘bulk’ of her accusations were based on things that happened later. That excuse is completely contradicted by the facts, including by these images,” Singer continued in the statement.
He said the plaintiffs’ claims are “contradicting” along with their “bogus lawsuit” after new evidence had surfaced.
“These irrefutable photos and videos, along with additional substantial evidence, prove the glaring contradictions between what the plaintiffs claim in their bogus lawsuit and what is actually proven by the facts,” Singer wrote. “The lawsuit is a sham. Lizzo intends to sue for malicious prosecution after she prevails and these specious claims are dismissed.”
Meanwhile, according to Evening Standard, the plaintiffs’ lawyer, Neama Rahmani, has accused Singer of “victim shaming” her clients in a statement shared with the PA news agency.
“We’ve addressed all these instances where the plaintiffs appear to be happy alongside Lizzo during their time working with her,” Rahmani said. “Of course, they wanted to keep their jobs. They had bills to pay just like everyone else but they finally had enough of the abuse. We stand by every claim in the lawsuit and look forward to trial.”
“Singer’s victim shaming doesn’t change any facts in the lawsuit. The plaintiffs merely wanted to keep their jobs until they finally had enough of the abuse,” she added.
Rahmani said her clients were “brave enough” to come forward and share their stories, and they look forward to “their day in court.”
Earlier this month, Lizzo took to social media and responded to the harassment lawsuit, calling it “gut-wrenchingly difficult and overwhelmingly disappointing.”
“My character has been criticized,” she said in a statement shared on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Usually I choose not to respond to false allegations but these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous to not be addressed.”
— FOLLOW @YITTY (@lizzo) August 3, 2023
Lizzo’s “The Big Grrrls” dancers shared a statement in support of the singer on their Instagram account.
“We have had the time of our lives on The Special Tour,” the statement read. “We have been so honored to share the stage with such amazing talent. This tour experience has been beyond just #Special! The commitment to character and culture taking precedence over every movement and moment has been one of the Greatest lessons and Blessings that we could possibly ask for.”
