image Source, Getty Images
Lizzo wins Grammy Award for Record of the Year about damn time last february.
- Author, Helen Bushby
- Role, BBC News
US pop star Lizzo has claimed that the allegations by three of her former dancers, which include sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment, are “false”.
The singer described the past few days as “extremely difficult and extremely frustrating”.
“I generally choose not to respond to false allegations, but (these) are as unbelievable as they sound and are outrageous enough not to mention.”
The dancers’ lawsuit includes allegations of religious and racial harassment, as well as discrimination, assault and unlawful imprisonment.
Ariana Davis, Crystal Williams and Noel Rodriguez are former dancers who brought the case against the singer, her dance choreographer and her production company Big Grrrl Big Touring (BGBT).
Davis and Williams were fired from the dance team, while Rodriguez later resigned over his alleged behavior with his partners.
On Wednesday, Williams told CBS that he wanted to make sure other dancers who worked with Lizzo “don’t have to go through the same experience.”
The legal action, filed in Los Angeles on Tuesday, includes allegations that dancers were pressured to participate in sex shows and interact with dancers on shows between 2021 and 2023.
Among the claims against Lizzo, whose real name is Melissa Vivian Jefferson, is that she “coerced Davis” into touching the breasts of a performer in an Amsterdam nightclub, and that Davis, after protesting, eventually agreed to the threat. stated that “this may affect his future in the team”.
What did Lizzo say?
This is what Lizzo wrote in her statement:
“These past few days have been extremely difficult and extremely frustrating. My work ethic, ethics and honor have been questioned. My character has been criticized.
“These sensationalized stories come from former employees who have already publicly acknowledged that they were warned that their behavior on the tour was inappropriate and unprofessional.
“As an artist, I have always been passionate about what I do. I take my music and my performances very seriously because at the end of the day I just want to bring out the best art that I can and my fans. represents.
“With passion comes hard work and high standards. Sometimes I have to make tough decisions, but it is not my intention to make anyone feel uncomfortable or unappreciated as an important part of the team.”
“I am not here to be seen as a victim, but I also know that I am not the villain that people and the media have portrayed in these last days. I am very open about my sexuality and I am But I cannot accept or allow people to use that openness to paint me for something I am not.
“I take nothing 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 I will never, ever fire an employee because of their weight. I won’t criticize or fire him.”
“I’m hurt, but I won’t let it affect the good work I do in the world. I want to thank everyone who has come forward to support me during this difficult time.”
image Source, mean drink
Lizzo performed on the Pyramid Stage at this year’s Glastonbury Festival
accused of betraying his own interest
Lizzo, who is known for celebrating her body and her self-esteem, is also accused of body-shaming Davis on tour with dance choreographer Tanisha Scott.
Davis alleges the two questioned whether she was “fighting something because she seemed less committed to her role in the dance troupe,” details the case.
In professional dance, a dancer’s weight gain is often seen as her being lazy or doing poorly as a performer. Lizzo and Scott question Davis about her weight gain regarding her commitment to touring. There was little concern in the weight,” the documents argued.
The case also alleges that employees working for BGBT scolded the dancers for “unacceptable and disrespectful” behavior while working on tour, without specifying what that behavior was.
The dancers allege thatOnly the dance cast, which was made up of full-bodied black women, was talked to this wayWhich gave (the dancers) the impression that these comments were fueled by racial animosity and fat intimidation.”
image Source, Getty Images
Lizzo toured internationally at the beginning of the year.
In addition, the complaint alleges that dance team captain Sharleen Quigley brought up her Christian faith in the cast and made fun of those who had premarital sex.
He is also accused of speaking openly about the virginity of a former dancer and posting about it on social media.
Allegations including racial profiling have been made against the BGBT management team.
He lamented that the black members of the dance group were “treated differently” from others on the team.
Both Quigley and Scott have been approached by the BBC for their version.
The plaintiffs also allege that Lizzo and the production company team were not paid appropriately during certain moments of the artist’s European tour.
Who is Lizzo?
image Source, reuters
Lizzo, pictured at this year’s Met Gala, is known for her hit songs truth hurts, Juice, good as hell And love 2,
Lizzo is an artist at the top of the music industry, she won a Grammy for Best Recording of the Year about damn time and played the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury in June to one of the biggest crowds of the weekend.
This week he entered the charts pinkHis contribution to the soundtrack of the popular film Barbie.
Who are the dancers involved?
ariana davisThe 24-year-old from Indiana went viral when she started a casting call for Lizzo by posting a dancing clip on TikTok, to which the singer responded.
Appeared in “Beware of Big Girls” (beware of big girls), the Emmy Award-winning Amazon reality show in which Lizzo chooses her new dancers. Davis then toured with Starr in February, performing at the 2023 Brit Awards.
crystal williamsThe 26-year-old Texas native also briefly appeared on Lizzo’s reality show and then on the singer’s “Special Tour.”
After performing with a college dance troupe while studying communications, she submitted an online submission to a casting call for Lizzo.
After a brief appearance on the television show, she dropped out because she had already got a job as one of the singer’s new backup dancers.
Noel RodriguezThe 25 year old and also from Texas, didn’t appear on Lizzo’s reality show.
She was hired after starring in their music video for the song Rumors.
Prior to this, she had appeared in a scene from the first season of the American teen drama Euphoria as well as a background dancer in several high-profile television commercials. She has performed with Beyoncé at Coachella as well as with Sam Smith and Janet Jackson at the Billboard Music Awards.
Remember you can get notifications from BBC News World. Download and activate the latest version of our app so you don’t miss out on our best content,