Warning: Graphic content, readers’ discretion advised
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: After concluding her highly successful 'The Special Tour', Lizzo found herself facing a legal challenge. Three former backup dancers, Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez, filed a lawsuit against the singer and her production company, alleging "sexual harassment" and a "hostile work environment."
The lawsuit, filed at the LA Superior Court on Tuesday, August 1, also includes claims of religious and racial harassment and body shaming, among other things. Ron Zambrano, the lawyer representing the dancers, said, "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."
1. Dancers allegedly faced 'sexual harassment' and a 'hostile work environment' while working with Lizzo
Lizzo allegedly created a hostile work environment and subjected the dancers to sexual harassment while they were on the tour. The plaintiffs, Davis, Williams, and Rodriguez, have brought forth serious accusations against the singer and her production team. The lawsuit also mentioned Lizzo's dance captain, Shirlene Quigley, who apparently shared "lewd sexual fantasies" and discussed the virginity of one of the dancers while lecturing those who had pre-marital sex.
Moreover, the trio alleged that the 'Truth Hurts' singer engaged in weight-shaming and allegedly invited "cast members to take turns touching the nude performers," inside a strip club in Amsterdam, further noting that Lizzo took part in inappropriate behavior, such as catching sex toys "launched from the performers' vaginas, and eating bananas protruding from the performers' vaginas," as per Page Six.
2. Unprofessional conduct against workers and firing them
According to the report, "In addition to accusations of a hostile work environment and sexual harassment, the suit brings claims for religious and racial harassment, false imprisonment, interference with prospective economic advantage, and other allegations." The lawsuit documented incidents of harassment in detail, including an incident where Lizzo allegedly pressured Davis "to touch the breasts of one of the nude women" at a club in Amsterdam. Davis refused multiple times, but the singer reportedly insisted, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere, as reported by Page Six. Moreover, Davis was fired soon after.
According to the lawsuit, Williams was fired days after she objected to Lizzo's accusations that the dancers were drinking before performances. Rodriguez raised concerns with a manager about Williams' firing after Lizzo claimed to have "eyes and ears everywhere," which made her feel disrespected and even threatened to resign. Lizzo apparently responded to the incident by "cracking her knuckles, balling her fists" and using a slur to say she was "lucky."
3. Former collaborators back up the claims of Lizzo's dancers
Other former collaborators of Lizzo, such as creative director Quinn Whitney Wilson and dancer Courtney Hollinquest, have spoken out in support of the dancers. Though not part of the ongoing lawsuit, they acknowledge experiencing similar mistreatment during their time with Lizzo. Hollinquest took to her Instagram Story to clarify her stance, stating, "This was very much my experience in my time there. Big shoutout to the dancers who had the courage to bring this to light."
Wilson echoed the sentiment, acknowledging, “I haven’t been a part of that world for around three years, for a reason," adding, "I very much applaud the dancers courage to bring this to light. and I grieve parts of my own experience. I’d appreciate space to understand my feelings." To which, Hollinquest replied, "My sister forever only a few know what we’ve been through … love u Quinn."
4. Sophia Nahli Allison witnessed an 'arrogant, self-centered, and unkind' Lizzo
Sophia Nahli Allison, an Oscar-nominated director renowned for her work on 'A Love Song for Latasha', was initially attached to direct the 'Love, Lizzo' documentary, which later aired on (formerly known as HBO) Max. However, Allison quietly departed the project during its development, and Doug Pray took over as the director, with the documentary eventually released in November 2022.
In the wake of the news about the dancers' lawsuit against Lizzo, Allison took to Twitter to share her own encounters with the singer. "In 2019, I traveled a bit with Lizzo to be the director of her documentary. I walked away after about two weeks. I was treated with such disrespect by her. I witnessed how arrogant, self-centered, and unkind she is. I was not protected and was thrown into a s***ty situation with little support. My spirit said to run as fast as you f**king can and I’m so grateful I trusted my gut. I felt gaslit and was deeply hurt, but I’ve healed." "Reading these reports made me realize how dangerous of a situation it was. This kind of abuse of power happens far too often. Much love and support to the dancers.," expressed Allison.
5. Allegations of weight-shaming against Tanisha Scott
In April, Lizzo's choreographer, Tanisha Scott, allegedly made critical remarks about Davis's weight gain, as mentioned in the lawsuit. These comments were interpreted as expressing concerns about Davis's dedication to the tour. "In professional dance, a dancer's weight gain is often seen as that dancer getting lazy or worse off as a performer," the court document read, adding, "Lizzo’s and Ms. Scott’s questions about Ms. Davis’s commitment to the tour were thinly veiled concerns about Ms. Davis’s weight gain, which Lizzo had previously called attention to after noticing it at the South by Southwest music festival."
