Lizzo insists she's 'not the villain' sexual harassment claims portray her to be
US singer Lizzo insists she is not the villain she has been portrayed as in a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by three of her ex-dancers.
The singer, 35, who rose to fame amid a body positivity movement, is also accused of fat shaming one dancer. Lizzo is accused of creating a hostile environment but insists her passion requires hard work and high standards.
Papers were lodged against the Good As Hell singer, her dance captain Shirlene Quigley and production firm Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc on Tuesday. Lizzo said: “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 is claimed her behaviour behind the scenes goes against everything the star stands for publicly. Lizzo, real name Melissa Viviane Jefferson, described the days since the suit was filed as gut wrenchingly hard. She said: “My work ethic, morals and respectfulness have been questioned.
Noelle Rodriguez (INSTAGRAM)
Crystal Williams (INSTAGRAM)“Usually I choose not to respond to false allegations but these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous to not be addressed.” Former dancers Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez also accuse Lizzo of religious and racial harassment, discrimination, assault and false imprisonment.
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Their submission includes details of an incident at Amsterdam sex club Bananenbar in February, where a dancer claims she was pressured to touch the breasts of a nude performer. Last night the dancers hit out at Lizzo’s statement, with Crystal telling Channel 4 news: “Initially for me it further deepened my disappointment in regards to how I was feeling and how I was treated.” Noelle adds: “I just think it’s disheartening and disappointing.”
Arianna says: “It does hurt more. I look up to the fact she was using her platform to address issues that other artists weren’t doing but knowing her now, it was performative.” Other allegations include Arianna’s claim that during an excruciating 12-hour rehearsal she was so terrified of going to the bathroom she soiled her pants instead.
The claims prompted other former employees to come forward Sophia Nahli Allison claims to have walked away from making a Lizzo documentary after a fortnight, describing her as a “narcissistic bully”.
Arianna Davis (INSTAGRAM)
Beyonce dropped Lizzo’s name from her onstage shout-outsThe claims also led singer Beyonce to drop Lizzo’s name from her shout-outs on stage in Boston this week. West Coast Employment Lawyers, who are representing the plaintiffs, said Arianna and Crystal were eventually fired from their positions, while Noelle resigned over the alleged appalling behaviour.
The court papers contain claims that Lizzo and choreographer Tanisha Scott inquired about the commitment of Arianna, Lizzo said: “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.”
A new video released via Lizzo’s lawyers to US website TMZ purports to show Arianna auditioning for the second series of Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls, this time as a singer. It was recorded in April after the alleged incidents.
In the tape, she says: “It’s been so amazing and such a beautiful journey. I look up to her so much. I just want to follow in her footsteps, and I just want to share that with the Queen Lizzo herself.” Lizzo’s lawyer Marty Singer replied: “These do not sound like the words of someone who was harassed or discriminated against by someone they described as ‘The Queen'.
Lawyers are confident Lizzo will be vindicated“We are confident that Lizzo will be completely vindicated in this matter.” A proud feminist who rose to international fame with her dance pop hit Juice in 2019, the singer’s lyrics about being happy in her own skin have resonated with millions all over the world.
The star was born in Detroit but moved to rural Houston, Texas, aged nine in a household filled with a gospel and pop music. She trained as a flautist aged 12, and also learned to rap as a youngster. Lizzo gained so much traction Prince invited her to perform at Paisley Park in 2011, and has since earned three Grammys for her hits.
In the UK, she performed at the Brit awards in February and was billed as a fourth headliner at Glastonbury festival in June. Her touring group originally included her mum Sharie Jefferson-Johnson and brother Michael. The Emmy-award winning series Watch Out for the Big Grrrls showed her hiring dancers for the tour.
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In one episode Arianna admits she felt uncomfortable being naked while in other scenes Lizzo encouraged her to strip off. But added: “We are gonna make sure that you feel comfortable every step of the way.” Lizzo, who performed in Auckland, New Zealand, last week, has released a range of plus- size shapewear, Yitty, which includes bikinis she models.
She has constantly batted off c riticism for working out, or eating a healthy, vegan diet as fans accused her of going against her position as a role model for larger-sized people. But Lizzo has insisted: “I’m not working out to have your ideal body type – I’m working out to have my ideal body type.”
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