Lizzo has responded to a lawsuit filed by three former dancers who accused the singer of weight-shamming, sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment.
The “Truth Hurts” singer shared a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, after several people who worked with her, including the plaintiffs in the suit, shared their experiences as former employees and collaborators.
“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,” Lizzo said in the statement. “Usually I choose not to respond to false allegations but these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous to not be addressed.”
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As Blavity reported, Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez filed the lawsuit Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court. The complaint states Lizzo reportedly forced Davis to interact with a nude dancer at an Amsterdam club, criticized her for gaining weight and not being “committed to her role,” and accused dancers of drinking alcohol before their performances.
“These sensationalized stories are coming from former employees who have already publicly admitted that they were told their behavior on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional,” the 35-year-old explained.
She continued: “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. With passion comes hard work and high standards. Sometimes I have to make hard decisions but it’s never been my intention to make anyone feel uncomfortable or like they aren’t valued as an important part of the team.”
The former dancers have accused Lizzo, her production company, Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc., and Shirlene Quigley, captain of her dance team, of religious and racial harassment, false imprisonment, interference with prospective economic advantage and other allegations mentioned in the complaint.
Lizzo said she doesn’t want others to view her as a “victim,” but she’s not the “villain” based on the allegations against her.
“I am not here to be looked at as a victim, but I also know that I am not the villain that people and the media have portrayed me to be these last few days. I am very open with my sexuality and expressing myself but I cannot accept or allow people to use that openness to make me out to be something I am not,” she wrote. “There is nothing I take more seriously than the respect we deserve as women in the world. I know what it feels like to be body shamed on a daily basis and would absolutely never criticize or terminate an employee because of their weight. I’m hurt but I will not let the good work I’ve done in the world be overshadowed by this. I want to thank everyone who has reached out in support to lift me up during this difficult time.”
The plaintiffs’ lawyer Ron Zambrano said the Detroit native went against everything she stood for, despite using her platform to spread body positivity and uplift women.
“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,” Zambrano said in a statement.
On Wednesday, Davis and Williams appeared on the Today show and doubled down on the claims they filed against the singer.
“She would pick and choose when she wanted to be professional and when she wanted things to be personal,” the pair said.
