Current:Home > FinanceLizzo sued for alleged hostile work environment, harassment by former dancers -ProfitPoint
Lizzo sued for alleged hostile work environment, harassment by former dancers
View
Date:2025-04-16 01:39:32
Grammy-award winning singer Lizzo is being sued by three of her former dancers for alleged harassment and creating a hostile work environment.
The complaint was filed Tuesday in Los Angeles County Superior Court against Lizzo, whose legal name is Melissa Viviane Jefferson, as well as her production company Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc. (BGBT).
Shirlene Quigley, captain of Lizzo's dance team, is also named in the complaint.
Dancers Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez allege "sexual, religious and racial harassment, disability discrimination, assault and false imprisonment," according to the press release about the lawsuit from the plaintiffs' attorney Ron Zambrano.
"The stunning nature of how Lizzo and her management team treated their performers seems to go against everything Lizzo stands for publicly, while privately she weight-shames her dancers and demeans them in ways that are not only illegal but absolutely demoralizing," said Zambrano.
MORE: Lizzo takes on size-ism in new show and album
The complaint alleges that Lizzo pressured her dancers to engage in a nude photo shoot during Lizzo's "Watch Out for the Big Grrrls" dance competition show on Amazon Prime, as well as attend nude performances and touch nude performers at clubs in the Red Light District in Amsterdam.
Dancers also say they were "tricked" into going to a nude cabaret bar by Lizzo, claiming she concealed details about the event they were attending.
Plaintiffs also accuse BGBT management of discriminating against the Black members of the dance team in both pay and treatment.
MORE: Lizzo talks new show, new music and why fight against body shamers continues
Davis also asserts that Lizzo and her team made negative comments alluding to her weight gain.
The dancers also accuse Quigley of preaching Christianity and against premarital sex in the workplace, "while oversharing her masturbatory habits and sex life with her husband," according to the press release. She is also accused of broadcasting a dancer's virginity in the workplace, as well as in interviews and social media.
Davis and Williams say they were fired, while Rodriguez resigned over the alleged workplace climate.
When Rodriguez resigned, she said "Lizzo aggressively approached Ms. Rodriquez, cracking her knuckles, balling her fists" and "feared that Lizzo intended to hit her and would have done so if one of the other dancers had not intervened."
The "Truth Hurts" pop star is known for her body positive activism and upbeat pop music about self-love.
Lizzo's representatives, BGBT and Quigley have not yet returned ABC News' requests for comment.
veryGood! (7)
Related
- Why we love Bear Pond Books, a ski town bookstore with a French bulldog 'Staff Pup'
- West Virginia Gov. Justice breaks with GOP Legislature to veto bill rolling back school vaccine rule
- 2 high school wrestling team members in West Virginia are charged with sexual assault
- Dallas resident wins $5 million on Texas Lottery scratch-off game
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- NFL's rush to implement new kickoff rules is Roger Goodell's latest winning power play
- Catch up on our Maryland bridge collapse coverage
- MyPillow, owned by election denier Mike Lindell, faces eviction from Minnesota warehouse
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- Kouri Richins Murder Case: How Author Allegedly Tried to Poison Husband With Valentine's Day Sandwich
Ranking
- Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture
- Evers signs new laws designed to bolster safety of judges, combat human trafficking
- Christina Applegate says she has 30 lesions on her brain amid MS battle
- Florida bed and breakfast for sale has spring swimming with manatees: See photos
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- Connecticut coach Dan Hurley on competing with NBA teams: 'That's crazy talk'
- Former correctional officer at women’s prison in California sentenced for sexually abusing inmates
- The Best Concealers for Every Skin Concern According to a Makeup Artist, From Dark Spots to Blemishes
Recommendation
Hackers hit Rhode Island benefits system in major cyberattack. Personal data could be released soon
A man has been arrested for randomly assaulting a young woman on a New York City street
Pennsylvania’s mail-in ballot dating rule is legal under civil rights law, appeals court says
Lou Whittaker, among the most famous American mountaineers, has died at age 95
'Squid Game' without subtitles? Duolingo, Netflix encourage fans to learn Korean
North Carolina GOP executive director elected as next state chairman
Netanyahu cancels delegation to U.S. after it abstains from cease-fire vote at U.N.
Trader Joe’s upped the price of its bananas for the first time in decades. Here’s why