Lizzo, the Grammy-winning singer, is facing a lawsuit from three of her former backup dancers – Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez. They allege sexual harassment and a hostile work environment, stating that the conditions were intolerable due to the consistent nature of the harassment. One of the dancers, Arianna Davis, claims that Lizzo pressured her into touching a nude performer’s breasts while at a nightclub in Amsterdam. The complaint was filed in a Los Angeles court on Tuesday.
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As of late Monday, there has been no immediate response to requests for comment from Lizzo’s representatives or Shirlene Quigley, the dance captain for the singer who was also named in the lawsuit. Lizzo’s production company, Big Grrrl Big Touring, was also listed as a defendant in the case.
Two of the plaintiffs had the opportunity to meet Lizzo while competing on a reality TV show for a chance to perform with her on tour. The third dancer was hired separately. Their association with Lizzo lasted approximately from spring 2021 to early summer 2023.
According to the dancers’ claims, Lizzo excessively focused on one of the plaintiffs’ weight gain, frequently yelled and cursed at performers, and invited them to events without disclosing the presence of nudity. The lawsuit further states that Crystal Williams was publicly fired by a representative of Lizzo about a week after a confrontation with the singer at the workplace. Arianna Davis was terminated for recording a meeting with Lizzo to review feedback about a performance, leading Noelle Rodriguez to resign in response to the incident, as mentioned in the filing.
Melissa Viviane Jefferson, known as Lizzo, gained fame in 2019 with her album “Cuz I Love You” after enjoying success as an underground singer for years. She has become a symbol of self-love and body positivity, even launching a shapewear brand in partnership with Fabletics last year. As a trained flutist, she has also been vocal about various social issues, advocating for abortion rights, fighting discrimination against transgender individuals, and addressing racism in the music industry.
Ron Zambrano, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, commented, “The stunning nature of how Lizzo and her management team treated their performers seems to go against everything Lizzo stands for publicly.”
The dancers involved in the lawsuit are seeking unspecified damages for unpaid wages, loss of earnings, and compensation for emotional distress, among other claims.
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