Lizzo: More and more “former dancers” are sharing their complaints with lawyers
Lawyers representing three of Lizzo’s ex-dancers said they were looking into new complaints from women who claim to have been employed by the singer.
It was reported last week that the Grammy-winning singer, 35, was being sued by former members of her dance group for sexual harassment and weight shaming. Lizzo, real name Melissa Jefferson, denied the allegations days later on Thursday (August 3), saying the claims were “false.”
Ron Zambrano, the attorney representing the dancers, told NBC reports that its law firm is now investigating allegations by at least six people who said they toured with Lizzo and on her Amazon Studios reality show Lizzo’s Watch out for the big grrrls.
Zambrano told the news agency that the allegations related to a “sexually charged environment” and “failure to pay staff.”
“Some of the allegations we’re reviewing may be actionable, but it’s too early to tell,” he told the outlet Tuesday (Aug. 8).
The Independent has reached out to Lizzo’s representatives for comment.
On Thursday (July 3), Lizzo responded to the 44-page lawsuit on social media, telling fans, “There is nothing I take more seriously than the respect we deserve as women in the world.”
The singer-songwriter described the allegations as “as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous to ignore.” A full breakdown of the allegations can be found here.
The allegations against Lizzo were made by Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez, former members of Lizzo’s dance group Big Grrrls.
The lawsuit alleges that Lizzo pressured one of the dancers to touch a nude performer at a strip club in Amsterdam and drew attention to another dancer’s weight gain before terminating her contract after prompting her to do so for health reasons been asked to record a meeting.
Enjoy unlimited access to 70 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music
Sign up now for a 30-day free trial
Enjoy unlimited access to 70 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music
Sign up now for a 30-day free trial
Lizzo is performing at the Glastonbury Festival this year
(Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
On Thursday, Lizzo addressed the allegations on social media.
“These startling stories come from former employees who have publicly admitted to being told their conduct on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional,” she said.
“As an artist, I’ve always been very passionate about what I do. I take my music and my performances seriously because at the end of the day I only want to put out the best art that represents me and my fans.
“With passion comes hard work and high standards. Sometimes I have to make difficult decisions, but it is never my intention to make anyone feel uncomfortable or give the impression that they are not valued as an important part of the team.”
She continued, “I’m very open about my sexuality and expressing myself, but I can’t accept or allow others to use that openness to portray me as something I’m not.” I take nothing more seriously than that Respect we deserve as women in the world. I know what it feels like to be physically shamed on a daily basis and there is no way I would criticize or fire an employee because of her weight.”
You can read the full answer here.
Lizzo’s accusers have since responded to her testimony, describing her response to the lawsuit as “disheartening”.
In an interview with Channel 4, Williams said: “Initially it only added to my disappointment with how I felt and how I was treated.”
“I think the overarching theme of all of this is that our experiences were our experiences and our traumas were our traumas,” she continued. “When you suggest that, it feels like it’s been completely ignored. It feels like we’re being fooled into making false claims when we’re not.”
The Independent reached out to a Lizzo representative for comment.