After being hit with a lawsuit by three of her former dancers, accusing her of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment, Lizzo has finally spoken up. The About Damn Time artist released a lengthy statement on her Instagram profile denying the claims against her and shedding light on her work ethic.
Lizzo Against The Allegations
“These last few days have been gut wrenchingly difficult and overwhelmingly disappointing,” she began in her statement that she released early Thursday morning. “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.”
She went on to call the claims against her in the lawsuit “sensationalized.” Furthermore, she revealed that the dancers have already publicly admitted that their time with the singer was terminated due to their unprofessionalism.
Lizzo continues to share that although she may be tough, she takes her work as an artist very seriously.
“With passion come hard work and high standards,” she explained. “It’s never my intention to make anyone feel uncomfortable or like they aren’t valued as an important part of the team.”
Sexual Harassment and Body Shaming
In regard to the sexual harassment allegations and body shaming claims made against her, she made it very clear that she is not a victim but she will not take on the role of the villain.
“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,” she wrote. “There is nothing I take more seriously than the respect we deserve as women in the world.” She went on to deny the claims of her body shaming her team. Lizzo explained that he knows 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.”
She concluded her statement by sharing the pain she felt the past few days.
“I am hurt but I will not let the good work I’ve done in the world be overshadowed by this,” she concluded. “I want to thank everyone who has reached out in support to lift me up during this difficult time.”
The Lawsuit From Lizzo’s Former Dancers
On Tuesday morning (August 1st), three of Lizzo’s former dancers filed a lawsuit in a Los Angeles Superior Court. The trio claimed that they were subjected to a hostile work environment and harassment while they were members of her dance team.
Crystal Williams, Arianna Davis, and Noelle Rodriguez shared several accounts of these instances in the 44-page document. One account detailed a time when the singer forced her dancers to interact with and eat bananas out of a nude performer’s vagina in Amsterdam’s Red Light District.
Another instance detailed a time when Lizzo called out Davis’ weight gain although she openly expressed that she has an eating disorder and suffers from depression and anxiety. She was ultimately fired after it was discovered later that she had secretly recorded a team meeting.