LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Melissa Viviane Jefferson, aka Lizzo, is currently entangled in a legal dispute with several of her former backup dancers. However, the Grammy-winning artist's legal representative, Marty Singer, has revealed the singer's plans to initiate a countersuit.
Crystal Williams, Noelle Rodriguez, and Arianna Davis have accused Lizzo of sexual harassment and creating a "hostile work environment."
The allegations include being taken to sex shows during the artist's European tour in February and March and asked to participate in ways that the dancers felt was degrading.
The singer allegedly invited "cast members to take turns touching the nude performers," inside a strip club in Amsterdam.
The lawsuit further alleges that Lizzo encouraged inappropriate behavior, such as "catching dildos launched from the performers' vaginas, and eating bananas protruding from the performers' vaginas."
Lizzo's lawyer shares backstage photos to refute allegations
Meanwhile, Lizzo's attorney, Marty Singer, has provided Daily Mail with images showcasing the plaintiffs purportedly "gleefully reveling" and "happily cavorting" backstage with performers from Crazy Horse's topless cabaret exhibition during an event in Paris.
"As the old saying goes, a picture speaks a thousand words," wrote Singer in a statement. "The photos and videos of plaintiffs Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez happily carousing backstage with the performers after the topless cabaret show at the Crazy Horse cabaret in Paris speak volumes."
"In their lawsuit, the three plaintiffs claim that they were forced to go to the show at the Crazy Horse against their will on March 5, 2023. In fact, after they watched the topless dance show, they went backstage with the other Big Grrrls dancers to meet the performers."
Lizzo intends to counter sue for malicious prosecution
"Photos and videos show Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez happily cavorting backstage with the Crazy Horse dancers who are wearing colorful wigs."
"These images showing the three plaintiffs gleefully reveling backstage after the topless show were taken after their February 2023 visit to Bananenbar in Amsterdam that they complain about in their lawsuit."
"A few weeks after the visit to Crazy Horse seen in the images, all three plaintiffs had a break and chose to reup and return for the third leg of Lizzo’s tour."
"After Ms Davis’s audition video became public, she tried to explain away her glowing comments about Lizzo by claiming the 'bulk' of her accusations were based on things that happened later. That excuse is completely contradicted by the facts, including by these images," Singer continued.
"These irrefutable photos and videos, along with additional substantial evidence, prove the glaring contradictions between what the plaintiffs claim in their bogus lawsuit and what is actually proven by the facts," Singer claimed.
"The lawsuit is a sham. Lizzo intends to sue for malicious prosecution after she prevails and these specious claims are dismissed," he added.
Arianna Davis alleges she was 'taken advantage of' by Lizzo
Plaintiff Arianna Davis offered insights to TMZ, providing an explanation concerning the photos.
"Right up until the last minute I didn't realize how bad it was and how much I was being taken advantage of. I just genuinely wanted to save my job. This video further explains how much I was trying to please Lizzo," she explained.
Neama Rahmani, the attorney representing Davis, Williams, and Rodriguez, asserts that they maintain their stance on each allegation within the lawsuit and anticipate the trial, regardless of the photographs.
"Our clients aren’t afraid of Singer or his empty threats or his victim shaming," Rahmani wrote.
"I’ve handled thousands of cases, including prosecuting drug cartels so we have no plans to back down. Let’s see if Singer can actually try a case in a courtroom instead of the media."
He continues, "We’ve addressed all these instances where the plaintiffs appear to be happy alongside Lizzo during their time working with her. Of course, they wanted to keep their jobs. They had bills to pay just like everyone else but they finally had enough."
"The plaintiffs merely wanted to keep their jobs until they finally had enough. Arianna, Noelle and Crystal were brave enough to come out with their stories and they don’t plan to back down in the face of these bullying tactics by Lizzo’s attorney. Our clients remain steadfast and look forward to their day in court," he added in the statement.
