LOS ANGELES — Lizzo stated 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 Court claims Lizzo pressured the dancers to have interaction with nude performers at a membership in Amsterdam and shamed certainly one of them for her weight achieve earlier than firing her.
“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,” Lizzo stated in a press release posted on social media. “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.”
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 atmosphere.
The authorized grievance seeks unspecified damages from Melissa Viviane Jefferson, identified professionally as Lizzo, her manufacturing firm Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc., and Shirlene Quigley, captain of the performer’s dance workforce.
“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,” Lizzo stated within the assertion.
“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 stated the “sensationalized stories” have been coming from former workers “who have already publicly admitted that they were told their behavior 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 Red Light District the place “Lizzo began inviting cast members to take turns touching the nude performers” and led a chant pressuring Davis to the touch the breasts of one of many nude ladies performing on the membership.
“Finally, the chorus became overwhelming, and a mortified Ms. Davis acquiesced in an attempt to bring an end to the chants,” the grievance states. “Plaintiffs were aghast with how little regard Lizzo showed for the bodily autonomy of her employees and those around her, especially in the presence of many people whom she employed.”
Lizzo, who routinely champions physique positivity, can 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 May for recording a gathering throughout which Lizzo had given out notes to dancers about their performances, in line with the grievance.
“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 stated. “I’m hurt but I will not let the good work I’ve done in the world be overshadowed by this.”
Quigley, who served as a choose on the singer’s actuality present “Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big 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 no one will stop me from talking about the Lord.”
Earlier this 12 months, Lizzo received the Grammy for report of the 12 months for her hit single “About Damn Time.” A world tour supporting her fourth studio album, 2022’s “Special,” wrapped up final month.
Content Source: www.washingtontimes.com