Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Lizzo has defended herself against claims made in a lawsuit by three dancers she worked with, including allegations of sexual harassment and the creation of a hostile work environment.
On Tuesday Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles against the singer and her Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc (BGBT) as well as Shirlene Quigley, the captain of Lizzo's dance team. The suit outlined the dancer's claims that they were subject to sexual, religious, and racial harassment, assault, false imprisonment, and disability discrimination.
Davis and Williams were fired from their positions, a move that led Rodriguez to resign in protest over what she saw as "appalling behaviour."
Subsequent to the initial lawsuit, filmmaker Sophia Nahli Allison spoke out about her experience of working with Lizzo on an early version of her 2019 documentary Love, Lizzo. Allison described the pop star as "arrogant, self-centered, and unkind." The director added that she walked away from the project after being treated with "such disrespect."
In a statement posted on social media on Thursday, August 3, Lizzo told her followers that she is "not the villain" in the story, describing the past couple of days as "gut wrenchingly difficult and overwhelmingly disappointing."
Lizzo went on to deny the accusations in the lawsuit, stating they are "too outrageous to not be addressed."
She also made a point to address the claims of sexual harassment, which center around an alleged incident in Amsterdam where the plaintiffs state that they felt obligated to accompany Lizzo to a sex club and to interact with naked dancers.
"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," Lizzo says in her statement.
See below for the statement in full.
"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 last few days have been gut-wrenchingly difficult and overwhelmingly disappointing.
"My work ethic, morals and respectfulness have been questioned. My character has been criticized.
"Usually I choose not to respond to false allegations but these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous to not be addressed.
"These sensationalized 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 have 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 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.
"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 more seriously than the respect we deserve as women in the world.
"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 hurt but I will not let the good work I've done in the world be overshadowed by this. I want to thank everyone who has reached out in support to lift me up during this difficult time."
