Lizzo has denied allegations introduced by three former backup dancers who declare in a lawsuit that she bodily threatened, weight-shamed and sexually harassed them.
“My work ethic, morals and respectfulness have been questioned,” Lizzo wrote in a statement posted to social media Thursday. “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.”
Lizzo stated these “sensationalized” tales from ex-staffers — who she claims “already publicly admitted” they had been reprimanded for “inappropriate” conduct on tour — have been “gut wrenchingly difficult” to endure and “overwhelmingly disappointing.”
The plaintiffs, dancers Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez, filed the go well with Tuesday accusing Lizzo of fostering a hostile work surroundings, sexual, non secular and racial harassment, assault, false imprisonment and extra.
Amongst different claims, Rodriguez stated within the go well with that Lizzo fired her on the spot and threatened bodily violence after the singer discovered she recorded a gathering.
The lawsuit additional alleges Lizzo urged the dancers to the touch nude performers at a membership in Amsterdam, to catch dildos “launched” from their vaginas, and to eat bananas “protruding” from the performers’ vaginas. It additionally alleges Lizzo had “concerns” about Davis gaining an excessive amount of weight to be on tour.
Documentarian Sophia Nahli Allison got here ahead mere hours after the go well with was filed with allegations of her personal, claiming she was working with Lizzo on a 2019 documentary however “walked away after about 2 weeks” as a result of she was “treated with such disrespect by her.”
Beyoncé, who beforehand championed Lizzo, appeared to distance herself from the singer this week.
Lizzo’s assertion continued:
As an artist I’ve all the time been very captivated with what I do. I take my music and my performances critically as a result of on the finish of the day I solely wish to put out the very best artwork that represents me and my followers. With ardour comes exhausting work and excessive requirements. Generally I’ve to make exhausting choices but it surely’s by no means my intention to make anybody really feel uncomfortable or like they aren’t valued as an necessary a part of the group.
I’m not right here to be checked out as a sufferer, however I additionally know that I’m not the villain that individuals and the media have portrayed me to be these previous couple of days. I’m very open with my sexuality and expressing myself however I can not settle for or enable individuals to make use of that openness to make me out to be one thing I’m not. There’s nothing I take extra critically than the respect we deserve as ladies on the earth. I do know what it feels wish to be physique shamed every day and would completely by no means criticize or terminate an worker due to their weight.
The singer concluded by saying she’s “hurt” however received’t let her work be “overshadowed” by these allegations.
Need assistance? Go to RAINN’s Nationwide Sexual Assault On-line Hotline or the Nationwide Sexual Violence Useful resource Middle’s web site.
