Three former backup dancers for singer Lizzo are urging a California appeals court to allow their sexual harassment lawsuit to proceed to trial. The dancers filed their request this week, pushing back against legal arguments from Lizzo’s defense that parts of the case should be blocked on constitutional grounds.
The dispute stems from an August 2023 civil complaint filed in Los Angeles Superior Court. The dancers — Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez — allege sexual harassment, discrimination and a hostile work environment while on tour with the Grammy-winning performer.
In this latest filing, the former dancers’ attorneys told the appeals court that the lawsuit should not be chilled by free speech arguments. “We want our day in court,” one advocate said in a statement. “The trial court was correct to let this proceed.”
Appeal Focuses on Free Speech Defense
Lizzo’s legal team has repeatedly argued that the dancers’ claims interfere with her First Amendment rights, asserting that her actions were part of her artistic expression. Defense attorneys contend that statements and conduct on tour were constitutionally protected, and should be dismissed under California’s anti-SLAPP law — a statute aimed at curbing lawsuits that infringe on free speech.
In a previous appeal, Lizzo’s lawyers described the lawsuit as “an attack on Lizzo’s First Amendment right to perform her music and advocate for body positivity.” They wrote that social gatherings and certain interactions were part of the creative process, not illegal misconduct.
But the dancers’ attorneys said the legal defense mischaracterizes the allegations. “This is not about artistic freedom,” said Ron Zambrano, who represents the plaintiffs. “This is about blatant workplace mistreatment that the plaintiffs experienced.”
The original lawsuit described a series of incidents that the dancers called “sexually charged” and inappropriate. Among those were claims that Lizzo encouraged dancers to engage with nude performers at an event in Amsterdam. The complaint also included allegations of discrimination and weight-shaming.
Lizzo has denied the most serious allegations, saying in past media statements that she “did nothing wrong” and was “blindsided” by the lawsuit. She maintains that many of the events cited were optional or mischaracterized.
A Los Angeles Superior Court judge previously denied a full dismissal of the case, allowing several claims to move forward toward trial. That ruling is now the subject of the current appeal.
If the appeals court sides with the dancers, the case may be remanded for trial in a lower court. That would allow jurors to hear evidence and decide on the merits of the allegations.
Should the appellate panel agree with Lizzo’s defense, certain parts of the lawsuit could be removed or barred from trial, potentially narrowing the scope of the dancers’ claims.
Both sides are now waiting on the justices’ decision. Attorneys for Lizzo did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The appeals court has not set a date for its ruling.