Lizzo was at a point in her career where success and fame came in droves; however, all that she has achieved could be disappearing faster than we think. The Grammy winner had a reputation as an advocate for body positivity, but the latest controversy surrounding her has said quite the opposite.
What Is Lizzo Being Sued For?
Lizzo is being sued for sexual harassment and a hostile work environment. Three of her former dancers filed a lawsuit against the singer in Los Angeles Superior Court, accusing her of creating a hostile work environment during her Special Tour concerts.
The dancers said they had been “exposed to an overtly sexual atmosphere that permeated their workplace and included outings where the focus was on nudity and sexuality.” The defendants include Lizzo (referred to by her full name Melissa Jefferson), her production company, Grrrl Big Touring Inc., and Shirlene Quigley, the tour’s chief dance instructor.
The lawsuit also claims that Lizzo and Quigley were involved in several episodes of sexual and religious harassment, as well as weight humiliation. Shirlene allegedly preached to the dancers about Christianity and virginity, while the singer, according to the complaint, sexually harassed them.
Dancers revealed that, at a nightclub in Amsterdam, Lizzo would encourage her employees to touch nude performers and handle dildos and bananas used for performance. One dancer would agree to touch a nude performer’s breast for fear of retaliation, despite having no interest in doing so.
Defender of Body Positivity?
The allegations also dispute Lizzo’s reputation as an advocate for body positivity and inclusion, as, according to the lawsuit, the singer would shame and humiliate her dancers because of their weight. Lizzo’s humiliations allegedly caused Arianna Davis, one of the victims, to binge eating disorder, and the singer allegedly demanded that she explain her weight gain, in addition to revealing intimate details about her private life to keep her job.
After the lawsuit became public, filmmaker Sophia Nahli Allison also spoke out about Lizzo’s mistreatment of which she was a victim in 2019. “She treated me with such disrespect. I witnessed how arrogant, self-centered, and nasty she is,” she confessed.
Likewise, Lizzo’s creative director showed support towards the former ballerinas and applauded the courage with which they managed to bring everything to light. “I’m not part of the lawsuit, but this was very much my time there…I applaud the dancers’ courage to bring this to light,” he shared.
Beyoncé even omitted Lizzo’s name while performing ‘Break My Soul (The Queens Remix)’ on her Renaissance Tour after learning of the lawsuits.
Compilation of the Allegations
Lizzo:
- Accused of overworking dancers and making the group re-audition an “excruciating” 12-hour rehearsal. Those she was “dissatisfied” with would be fired and sent home.
- Accused of firing a dancer for questioning her claim that the group drank before performances.
- Accused of making a “thinly veiled” comment related to a dancer’s weight gain and then firing her for recording a meeting while suffering from an eye condition.
- Accused of forcing a dancer to touch a woman’s breast at a strip club despite her objection.
- Accused of inviting her dancers to a nude cabaret bar without disclosing the details of the performance.
Quigley:
- Accused of attempting to convert dancers to her religion.
- Accused of scolding dancers for having premarital sex.
- Accused of unjustifiably talking about masturbation and sexual fantasies with the group.
It’s certainly a shame to have someone we admire so much fall off the pedestal overnight… but these are also part of the consequences of her actions.
This story was written in Spanish by Kate Nateras in Cultura Colectiva
