Lizzo accused by former dancers of sexual harassment and weight-shaming
Former backup dancers for Lizzo have filed a lawsuit in opposition to the singer, accusing her of sexual harassment and of allegedly making a hostile work atmosphere.
They declare the singer pressured certainly one of them into touching a nude performer at an Amsterdam membership, in addition to subjecting them to an “excruciating” audition after falsely accusing them of consuming on the job.
Lizzo is understood for embracing physique positivity. But the dancers declare she made feedback about one performer placing on weight earlier than firing her after she recorded a gathering due to a watch situation.
The lawsuit additionally accuses the captain of Lizzo’s dance group of trying to transform the performers’ non secular beliefs and deriding those that had premarital intercourse.
Shirlene Quigley can also be accused of sharing lewd sexual fantasies and publicly discussing the virginity of one of many complainants.
The trio of dancers have additionally filed complaints of non secular and racial harassment, false imprisonment, interference with potential financial benefit and different allegations. The swimsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, was shared with Sky News’ US companion community NBC News.
Pic: AP
Representatives for Lizzo, Ms Quigley and Lizzo’s manufacturing firm didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark.
The swimsuit doesn’t say if Lizzo knew in regards to the allegations linked to Ms Quigley, however the plaintiffs believed the singer was conscious of their complaints about her, in response to their lawyer, Ron Zambrano.
Two of the performers, Arianna Davis and Crystal Williams started performing with Lizzo after competing on her Amazon actuality present “Watch Out for the Big Grrrls” in 2021 however have been each later fired.
The third, Noelle Rodriguez, was employed in the identical yr after performing within the video “Rumours” however resigned earlier ths yr.
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The swimsuit states that an at afterparty at a membership in Amsterdam, Lizzo allegedly “began inviting cast members to touch the nude performers”.
The singer is then accused of beginning a chant when Ms Davis declined, allegedly embarrassing the dancer till she agreed.
All three dancers have been apparently subjected to a 12-hour rehearsal and audition after Lizzo accused the solid of consuming earlier than performances.
Pic: AP
The litigation states Ms Davis was so fearful she would lose her job if she went to the lavatory, she dirty herself. She was allegedly given a see-through outfit with no underwear to complete the efficiency.
Ms Williams was fired shortly after the incident, she claims as a result of she spoke up in a gathering in regards to the alleged consuming incidents.
Ms Davis was sacked the following day after recording a gathering due to a watch situation. She claims she made the recording so she may have a replica of Lizzo’s efficiency notes. But after being castigated, was fired on the spot.
After the assembly, Ms Rodriguez threatened to resign. As she left, she accuses Lizzo of elevating each center fingers and yelling a slur.
The swimsuit doesn’t specify a greenback quantity for damages that cowl emotional misery together with unpaid wages, lack of earnings and lawyer’s charges.