Lizzo’s ex-dancers slam singer’s response to sexual harassment claims – The Independent
Lizzo has said “I’m not the villain”
Lizzo has said “I’m not the villain” in response to sexual harassment and fat-shaming claims in a lawsuit filed by three former troupe members.
“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,” she wrote in a statement posted on her social media channels.
Shortly after the singer broke her silence, the accusers reacted in shock to Lizzo’s “disheartening” response to their claims during their first UK TV appearance since their allegations came to light on Tuesday (1 August).
“Initially for me it just further deepened my disappointment in regards to how I was feeling and how I was treated,” Crystal Williams said on Channel 4.
According to the legal filing, Lizzo (real name Melissa Viviane Jefferson) allegedly pressured one of her dancers, Arianna Davis into touching a nude performer at an Amsterdam strip club.
It is also alleged that the Grammy winner set up a humiliating 12-hour re-audition for her dancers, and fostered a hostile work environment.
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RuPaul alum adds additional support for Lizzo
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Listen: The Independent’s LA correspondent discusses Lizzo accusations on Woman’s Hour
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Filmmaker Sophia Nahli Allison details Lizzo’s alleged ‘cruel’ behaviour that made her quit HBO documentary
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Lizzo’s former dancers react to singer’s ‘disheartening’ denial against allegations
Lizzo’s former employees have reacted to the singer’s denial of the accusations they’ve levelled against her, which include claims of sexual harassment and fostering a hostile work environment.
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Lizzo breaks silence and says dancers’ lawsuit claims are ‘false’
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From sexual harassment to assault, all the allegations against Lizzo by former dancers
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‘Let’s take it to trial’: Dancers’ attorney issues ultimatum after Lizzo says lawsuit claims are ‘outrageous’
The lawyer representing the three dancers to have brought a lawsuit against Lizzo has spoken out after the singer denied their claims.
Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez made the complaints in a 44-page lawsuit filed Tuesday (1 August), which names the “Truth Hurts” singer, her touring company and her dance captain Shirlene Quigley as defendants.
“Given Lizzo is denying that any of this happened, let’s take it to trial,” said Neama Rahmani, president of West Coast Employment Lawyers in a statement.
“More witnesses are coming forward every day corroborating the plaintiffs’ allegations, so we’re looking forward to facing Lizzo and her team in court.”
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‘About Damn Time’ singer faces allegations of body shaming and sexual harassment in shock filing
A 44-page lawsuit against Lizzo alleges the singer sexually harassed and body shamed her backup dancers, as the plaintiffs’ attorney said their experiences “seem to go against everything Lizzo stands for publicly”.
One of the plaintiffs, Arianna Davis claims Lizzo pressured her to “touch the breasts of one of the nude women” performing at an Amsterdam strip club and allegedly made a thinly-veiled reference to her apparent weight gain.
Lizzo also allegedly forced her dancers to “re-audition for their spots” during a 12-hour “excruciating” process, after becoming convinced they had been drinking the night before shows.
Davis said she soiled herself during the audition because she was fearful of using the bathroom.
Other allegations against her and her production company include racial and religious harassment, fat-shaming, disability discrimination, and false imprisonment.
Here’s what we know so far:
(Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
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