Current:Home > MyLizzo sued for alleged hostile work environment, harassment by former dancers -VitalWealth Strategies
Lizzo sued for alleged hostile work environment, harassment by former dancers
View
Date:2025-04-17 05:10:31
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! (6)
Related
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- The charming Russian scene-stealers of 'Anora' are also real-life best friends
- Trump on Day 1: Begin deportation push, pardon Jan. 6 rioters and make his criminal cases vanish
- Fire crews on both US coasts battle wildfires, 1 dead; Veterans Day ceremony postponed
- Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
- 2 Florida women charged after shooting death of photographer is livestreamed
- Cruise ship rescues 4 from disabled catamaran hundreds of miles off Bermuda, officials say
- One person is dead after a shooting at Tuskegee University
- Trump invites nearly all federal workers to quit now, get paid through September
- Judith Jamison, a dancer both eloquent and elegant, led Ailey troupe to success over two decades
Ranking
- Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
- NY forest ranger dies fighting fires as air quality warnings are issued in New York and New Jersey
- Kalen DeBoer, Jalen Milroe save Alabama football season, as LSU's Brian Kelly goes splat
- NASCAR Cup Series Championship race 2024: Start time, TV, live stream, odds, lineup
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- The Army’s answer to a lack of recruits is a prep course to boost low scores. It’s working
- Fire crews gain greater control over destructive Southern California wildfire
- What Happened to Kevin Costner’s Yellowstone Character? John Dutton’s Fate Revealed
Recommendation
Rolling Loud 2024: Lineup, how to stream the world's largest hip hop music festival
Brianna LaPaglia Reacts to Rumors Dave Portnoy Paid Her $10 Million for a Zach Bryan Tell-All
New 'Yellowstone' is here: Season 5 Part 2 premiere date, time, where to watch
World War II veteran reflects on life as he turns 100
New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
US Open finalist Taylor Fritz talks League of Legends, why he hated tennis and how he copied Sampras
These Yellowstone Gift Guide Picks Will Make You Feel Like You’re on the Dutton Ranch
Ashton Jeanty stats: How many rushing yards did Boise State Heisman hopeful have vs Nevada