Three former dancers of American rapper, Lizzo are suing her, alleging sexual harassment, a hostile work environment, and various other claims, encompassing sexual, religious, and racial harassment, discrimination, assault, false imprisonment, and fat-shaming.
The lawsuit has been filed by Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez. Lizzo and other individuals involved in the allegations have been contacted for comment.
As of now, the singer has not issued a public response to the allegations presented in the case, and the matter is still pending for examination in court.
The legal action, filed in Los Angeles on Tuesday, includes allegations the dancers were “forced to endure sexually denigrating behaviour” and were “pressured into participating in disturbing sex shows” between 2021 and 2023.
Among the allegations against Lizzo (Melissa Viviane Jefferson), it is claimed that she exerted pressure on Ms. Davis to touch another performer’s breasts during a nightclub event in Amsterdam.
Ms. Davis resisted initially but eventually complied, fearing potential repercussions on her position within the team if she refused.
Additionally, Lizzo, known for promoting body positivity and self-love, is also accused, along with dance choreographer Tanisha Scott, of engaging in weight-shaming towards Ms. Davis during the tour.
These claims are part of the ongoing legal case against the singer.
Ms Davis alleges the two questioned whether she was “struggling with something as she seemed less committed to her role on the dance cast”, the case details.
Though never explicitly stated, the questions “gave Ms Davis the impression that she needed to explain her weight gain and disclose intimate personal details about her life in order to keep her job”, the legal action says.
Additionally, it alleges the dance team’s captain, Shirlene Quigley, pushed her Christian beliefs on performers and derided those who engaged in premarital sex.
She is also accused of openly discussing one of the former dancers’ virginity, and posting about it on social media.
Accusations including racial discrimination are also levelled at production company Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc.’s management team.
It alleges black members of the dance troupe were “treated differently” to other members of the team.
They were accused of being “lazy, unprofessional, and having bad attitudes” – the case claimed these are tropes often used “to disparage and discourage” black women and that other dancers were not treated like this.
The plaintiffs also allege Lizzo and the production company team did not pay them fairly while on parts of Lizzo’s European tour.
They claim they were offered only 25% of their weekly compensatory pay during their time not performing on the tour, while other performers received 50% and they also claim they were told not to work on other projects while on tour.
Two of the three dancers involved in the legal action, Ms Davis and Ms Williams, met Lizzo in March 2021 while preparing to compete on the reality TV show Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls, the legal action says.
The third, Ms Rodriguez, was hired later in May 2021 to perform in Lizzo’s Rumours music video. She then remained part of the dance troop, it adds.
Ms Davis and Ms Williams were fired from the dance team, while Ms Rodriguez later resigned over the alleged treatment of her fellow colleagues.
Lizzo is best known for hits such as Truth Hurts, About Damn Time, Juice, Good As Hell and 2 Be Loved.