Lizzo breaks silence and addresses sexual harassment lawsuit

03 August 2023 , 11:33

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Lizzo has responded to allegations made against her in a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles on Tuesday

Lizzo has responded to allegations made against her in a lawsuit filed by three dancers who worked with the American singer on tour.

Taking to instagram, The Juice singer too last few days have been 'gut-wrenchingly difficult and 'overwhelmingly disappointing'. She said in a statement: “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.”

It comes it was announced she was being sued by three former dancers over allegations of sexual harassment, racial and religious harassment and the creation of a hostile work environment between 2021 and 2023.

Publicly responding to the allegations, Lizzo wrote on Instagram today: "These last few days have been gut wrenchingly difficult and overwhelmingly disappointing. 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 to not be addressed."

She continued: "These sensationalized stories are coming from former employees who have already publicly admitted that they were told their behavior on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional." Lizzo went on to write: I take my music and my performances seriously because at the end of the day I only want to put out the best art than represents me and my fans. With passion comes hard work and high standards."

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Lizzo pictured at the Grammy Awards in March 2021 (Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

"Sometimes I have to make hard decisions but it’s never my intention to make anyone feel uncomfortable or like they aren’t valued as an important part of the team."

Lizzo went on to say she not want to be "looked at as a victim", writing: "But I also know that I am not the villain that people and the media have portrayed me to be these last few days. 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 statement continued: "There is nothing I take 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 would absolutely never criticize or terminate an employee because of their weight.I’m hurt but I will not let the good work I’ve done in the world be overshadowed by this. I want to thank everyone who has reached out in support to lift me up during this difficult time."

Lizzo, real name Melissa Viviane Jefferson, was sued on Tuesday [August 1] in a Los Angeles lawsuit brought by Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez. Together they allege the American singer fat-shamed and sexually harassed them while also accusing her of religious and racial harassment, discrimination, assault and false imprisonment. All three claimants raise different and separate allegations.

The performers, who are suing for damages, also claim the Truth Hurts, 35, hitmaker pressured one of them to touch a nude performer at an Amsterdam club. Following news of the lawsuit breaking, two more individuals who are believed to have previously worked with Lizzo accused the Grammy Award-winning singer of creating a toxic work environment.

The lawsuit names Lizzo, her production company, Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc and Quigley as defendants. In addition to allegations against the singer, the suit also alleges Lizzo’s dance captain, Shirlene Quigley, imposed her Christian beliefs upon other performers and judged those who engaged in sex outside of marriage. It is not stated if Lizzo knew about Quigley's alleged actions and comments.

Ron Zambrano, a lawyer representing the three plaintiffs, told NBC News on Tuesday: "The stunning nature of how Lizzo and her management team treated their performers seems to go against everything Lizzo stands for publicly, while privately she weight-shames her dancers and demeans them in ways that are not only illegal but absolutely demoralizing."

Lizzo has spent the majority of this year on tour, performing across Europe, North America, Oceania and Asia. The lawsuit filed against the singer does not specify a monetary amount for damages covering emotional distress, lost wages and attorneys’ fees.

Zoe Delaney