Lizzo says ‘I’m not the villain’ over sexual harassment allegations by former dance troupe members

Lizzo has insisted she is “not the villain” after she was sued by three former dancers over allegations of sexual harassment and the creation of a hostile work setting.

The singer, who is known for embracing body positivity, mentioned in an Instagram assertion that the allegations are “as unbelievable as they sound” and “too outrageous to not be addressed”.

She described the previous few days as “gut wrenchingly difficult and overwhelmingly disappointing”.

“My work ethic, morals and respectfulness have been questioned. My character has been criticised,” she mentioned.

The grievance, filed in Los Angeles on Tuesday, was introduced in opposition to the Truth Hurts singer, actual title Melissa Viviane Jefferson, and her manufacturing firm Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc (BGBT).

The three dancers – Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez – declare they have been topic to sexual, spiritual and racial harassment, incapacity discrimination, assault and false imprisonment, amongst different allegations.

These embody the accusation the singer pressured certainly one of them into touching a nude performer at a membership in Amsterdam’s purple gentle district.

They additionally allege the captain of Lizzo’s dance staff, Shirlene Quigley, tried to transform the performers’ spiritual beliefs and derided those that had premarital intercourse, additionally allegedly sharing lewd sexual fantasies and publicly discussing the virginity of one of many complainants.

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Ms Davis and Ms Williams started dancing with Lizzo after competing on her Amazon actuality present “Watch Out for the Big Grrrls” in 2021, however have been each later fired.

Ms Rodriguez was employed in the identical 12 months after performing within the video “Rumours” however resigned earlier this 12 months over the “appalling behaviour”.

Lizzo mentioned: “Usually I choose not to respond to false allegations but these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous to not be addressed.”

She added: “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.”

“These sensationalised stories are coming from former employees who have already publicly admitted that they were told their behaviour on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional.

“As an artist I’ve at all times been very obsessed with 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 ardour comes laborious work and excessive requirements.

“Sometimes I have to make hard decisions but it’s never my intention to make anyone feel uncomfortable or like they aren’t valued as an important part of the team.”

Lizzo added: “I am very open with my sexuality and expressing myself but I cannot accept or allow people to use that openness to make me out to be something I am not.

“There is nothing I take extra significantly than the respect we deserve as ladies on the planet.

“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.

“I’m harm however I can’t let the nice work I’ve achieved on the planet be overshadowed by this. I wish to thank everybody who has reached out in assist to carry me up throughout this tough time.”

But the lawyer who represents the three dancers said the entertainer’s denial of the allegations “solely provides to our shoppers’ emotional misery”.

Ron Zambrano, of West Coast Employment Lawyers, said in statement: “Lizzo has failed her personal model and has let down her followers.

“Her denial of this reprehensible behaviour only adds to our clients’ emotional distress.

“The dismissive feedback and utter lack of empathy are fairly telling about her character and solely serve to minimise the trauma she has brought about the plaintiffs and different staff who’ve now come ahead sharing their very own unfavorable experiences.

“While Lizzo notes it was never her intention ‘to make anyone feel uncomfortable,’ that is exactly what she did to the point of demoralising her dancers and flagrantly violating the law.”