Lizzo says she’s ‘not the villain’ after her former dancers claim sex harassment

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Lizzo mentioned Thursday that she’s “not the villain” that three of her former backup dancers falsely accuse her of being in a sexual harassment lawsuit.

The civil lawsuit filed Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Courtroom claims Lizzo pressured the dancers to have interaction with nude performers at a membership in Amsterdam and shamed considered one of them for her weight achieve earlier than firing her.

“I’m not right here to be checked out as a sufferer, however I additionally know that I’m not the villain that folks and the media have portrayed me to be these previous couple of days,” Lizzo mentioned in an announcement posted on social media. “I’m very open with my sexuality and expressing myself however I can’t settle for or permit folks to make use of that openness to make me out to be one thing I’m not.”

Plaintiffs Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez made quite a few allegations together with sexual, non secular and racial harassment, incapacity discrimination, assault and false imprisonment. They accuse the Grammy winner and her manufacturing firm of making a hostile work surroundings.

The authorized grievance seeks unspecified damages from Melissa Viviane Jefferson, recognized professionally as Lizzo, her manufacturing firm Large Grrrl Large Touring, Inc., and Shirlene Quigley, captain of the performer’s dance crew.

“These previous couple of days have been intestine wrenchingly tough and overwhelmingly disappointing. My work ethic, morals and respectfulness have been questioned. My character has been criticized,” Lizzo mentioned within the assertion. “Normally I select not to answer false allegations however these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous to not be addressed.”

She mentioned the “sensationalized tales” have been coming from former staff “who’ve already publicly admitted that they have been instructed their habits on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional.”

The courtroom submitting claims that after performing a live performance in Amsterdam, Lizzo and her crew attended a sexually themed present at a membership within the metropolis’s infamous Purple Gentle District the place “Lizzo started inviting forged members to take turns touching the nude performers” and led a chant pressuring Davis to the touch the breasts of one of many nude girls performing on the membership.

“Lastly, the refrain grew to become overwhelming, and a mortified Ms. Davis acquiesced in an try to carry an finish to the chants,” the grievance states. “Plaintiffs have been aghast with how little regard Lizzo confirmed for the bodily autonomy of her staff and people round her, particularly within the presence of many individuals whom she employed.”

Lizzo, who routinely champions physique positivity, can also be accused of calling out Davis for her weight achieve after accusing the dancer of not being dedicated to her position. Davis was fired in Might for recording a gathering throughout which Lizzo had given out notes to dancers about their performances, in response to the grievance.

“Typically I’ve to make laborious selections however it’s by no means my intention to make anybody really feel uncomfortable or like they aren’t valued as an vital a part of the crew,” Lizzo mentioned. “I’m damage however I cannot let the great work I’ve accomplished on the earth be overshadowed by this.”

Quigley, who served as a choose on the singer’s actuality present “Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Large Grrrls,” is accused within the lawsuit of pushing her Christian beliefs onto dancers. The courtroom submitting claims Quigley referred to Davis as a “non-believer” and instructed co-workers that “No job and nobody will cease me from speaking concerning the Lord.”

Earlier this yr, Lizzo gained the Grammy for file of the yr for her hit single “About Rattling Time.” A worldwide tour supporting her fourth studio album, 2022’s “Particular,” wrapped up final month.

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