Lizzo is being accused of sexual harassment and cultivating a hostile work environment.
The 35-year-old entertainer is facing a lawsuit from three tour dancers claiming that they had to deal with sexual harassment and a hostile work environment while working with her. A complaint was filed by Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez on Tuesday (August 1) in court in Los Angeles.
The three dancers are accusing Lizzo and her BIG Grrrl Big Touring Inc. of several things, including racial and religious discrimination, as well as being pressured to touch nude dancers during a live sex show. The lawsuit claims:
“Lizzo began inviting cast members to take turns touching the nude performers, catching dildos launched from the performers’ vaginas, and eating bananas protruding from the performers’ vaginas.
Lizzo then turned her attention to Ms. Davis and began pressuring Ms. Davis to touch the breasts of one of the nude women performing at the club.”
The lawsuit also alleges that the captain of Rizzo’s dance team had forced her religious beliefs on them, making them comfortable and commenting on their virginity. They also claim that Lizzo “called attention” to Arianna Davis’ weight gain, giving 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 attorney of the dancers, Ron Zambrano, drew attention to the allegations pertaining to weight gain:
“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.
Plaintiffs were aghast with how little regard Lizzo showed for the bodily autonomy of her employees and those around her, especially in the presence of many people whom she employed.”
Another allegation states that Arianna soiled her pants during a 12-hour rehearsal because she was afraid she would lose her job if she used the bathroom.
Former members of Lizzo’s team have come forward to support the lawsuit.
Her former dancer, Courtney Hollinquest, shared a link to an article about the lawsuit on her Instagram Story and wrote:
“For clarification, I’m not apart of the lawsuit – but this was very much my experience in my time there… Big shoutout to the dancers who had the courage to bring this to light.”
Former creative director Quinn Wilson wrote on her own Instagram Story:
“Echoing what @cquestt said.
I haven’t been apart of that world for around three years, for a reason. I very much applaude [sic] the dancers courage to bring this to light. And I grieve parts of my own experience. Id appreciate space to understand my feelings.”
Quinn worked on videos like “Cuz I Love You” and “Juice” and worked on all aspects of Lizzo’s creative output.
Filmmaker Sophie Nahli Allison, who was supposed to be the director of her documentary, also took to social media to share her experience:
“In 2019, I traveled a bit with Lizzo to be the director of her documentary. I walked away after about 2 weeks. I was treated with such disrespect by her. I witnessed how arrogant, self-centered, and unkind she is.
My spirit said to run as fast as you f**king can and I’m so grateful I trusted my gut. I felt gaslit and was deeply hurt, but I’ve healed. Reading these reports made me realize how dangerous of a situation it was. This kind of abuse of power happens far too often. Much love and support to the dancers.”
