Everything To Know About Lizzo’s Harassment Case
The pop singer is being accused of bullying and sexual harassment by three of her former backup dancers.
Lizzo—who’s made a name for herself for promoting female empowerment, good vibes, and body positivity in her music and in her life—is being sued by a group of her former backup dancers, who claim she sexually and verbally harassed them, and even made negative comments about their weight.
The “About Damn Time” singer broke her silence today on the allegations. Ahead, everything we know about the case.
Related article: Lizzo Slams The Idea That Plus-Size People Should Only Work Out To ‘Escape Fatness’
When was the lawsuit filed?
The lawsuit, sent to Harper’s Bazaar by the plaintiffs’ law firm, was filed this Tuesday, August 1, in Los Angeles County Superior Court, by three of Lizzo’s former backup dancers: Arianna Davis, Noelle Rodriguez, and Crystal Williams. It was filed against Lizzo; her production company, Big Grrrl Big Touring Inc.; and her dance team captain, Shirlene Quigley.
What are the accusations against Lizzo?
In the suit, Davis, Rodriguez, and Williams detail various alleged incidents involving the singer, including an occasion when they claim Lizzo coerced them into attending a group outing at a club in Amsterdam’s red-light district and then pressured them to touch nude performers during the show.
Davis also accused Lizzo of shaming her about gaining weight, which she says Lizzo knew was a result of stress eating brought on by anxiety and depression. Lizzo has since denied this claim, in a statement shared to social media. “There is nothing I take more seriously than the respect we deserve as women in the world,” the singer wrote. “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.”
Related article: Record Of The Year Winner Lizzo Looked Majestic At The 2023 Grammys
What are the accusations against the other parties?
The plaintiffs accuse Quigley, the dance team captain, of shaming staffers who do not share her Christian beliefs, including those who practice premarital sex. They also claim that meanwhile, she regularly overshares about her “masturbatory habits” and sexual fantasies.
Davis adds that after she shared with Quigley that she was a virgin, Quigley broadcast that private information in interviews and on social media without Davis’s permission.
The dancers also claim they were discriminated against by BGBT management, who allegedly “treated the Black members of the dance team differently than other members.”
What has Lizzo said about the claims?
On Thursday, August 3, the pop star shared a lengthy statement on social media defending herself against the accusations and deeming them “outrageous.”
“These last few days have been gut wrenchingly difficult and overwhelming disappointing,” she began. “My work ethic, morals and respectfulness have been questioned. My character has been criticized. Usually I choose not to respond to false allegations but these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous not to be addressed.”
Related article: Lizzo Has No More Patience For Fat Shaming
She said the claims were made by former employees who were reprimanded for their “inappropriate” behavior. And she added that while she doesn’t want to be seen as a “victim,” she is also “not the villain that people and the media have portrayed me to be these last few days.”
This article originally appeared on Harper's BAZAAR US.