(LOS ANGELES) – Lizzo stated on Thursday that she is “not the villain” in a sexual harassment lawsuit that three of her former backup dancers wrongfully accuse her of being.
The civil case, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday, claims Lizzo forced the dancers to engage with naked performers at an Amsterdam club and ridiculed one of them for her weight gain before terminating 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,” Lizzo stated in a social media statement. “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.”
The plaintiffs, Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez claimed several allegations, including sexual, religious, and racial harassment, handicap discrimination, assault, and false imprisonment. They accuse the Grammy winner and her production firm of instilling fear among its employees.
Melissa Viviane Jefferson, professionally known as Lizzo, her production business Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc., and Shirlene Quigley, captain of the performer’s dance team, are named in the civil action, which demands undisclosed damages.
Lizzo stated on Thursday that she is “not the villain” in a sexual harassment lawsuit that three of her former backup dancers wrongfully accuse her of being.
“The last few days have been excruciatingly difficult and overwhelmingly discouraging.” My work ethic, morals, and respectability have all been called into doubt. “My character has been chastised,” Lizzo stated in a statement. “Normally, I don’t respond to false allegations, but these are as unbelievable as they sound and far too outrageous to ignore.”
She claimed that the “sensationalized stories” were from former employees “who have already publicly admitted that they were told their behavior on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional.”
According to the court filing, Lizzo and her crew went to a sexually themed show at a club in Amsterdam’s notorious Red Light District after performing a concert, where “Lizzo began inviting cast members to take turns touching the nude performers” and led a chant pressuring Davis to touch the breasts of one of the nude women performing at the club.
“Finally, the chorus became overwhelming, and a mortified Ms. Davis acquiesced in an attempt to stop the chants,” according to the complaint. “Plaintiffs were astounded by Lizzo’s disregard for the bodily autonomy of her employees and those around her, particularly in the presence of a large number of people whom she employed.”
Lizzo stated on Thursday that she is “not the villain” in a sexual harassment lawsuit that three of her former backup dancers wrongfully accuse her of being.
Lizzo, who regularly promotes body positivity, is also accused of criticizing Davis for her weight gain after accusing her of being uncommitted to her role. According to the complaint, Davis was fired in May for filming a meeting during which Lizzo distributed notes to dancers regarding their performances.
“Sometimes I have to make difficult decisions, but it is never my intention to make anyone feel uncomfortable or unimportant as a member of the team,” Lizzo explained. “I’m hurt, but I will not let the good work I’ve done in the world be overshadowed by this.”
Quigley, who acted as a judge on the singer’s reality show “Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls,” is accused of imposing her Christian ideas on dancers in the lawsuit. According to the court petition, Quigley called Davis a “non-believer” and told coworkers, “No job and no one will stop me from talking about the Lord.”
Lizzo won the Grammy for Record of the Year earlier this year for her hit tune “About Damn Time.” A world tour promoting her fourth studio album, 2022’s “Special,” concluded last month.
SOURCE – (AP)
