Former backup dancers for Lizzo have filed a lawsuit against the singer, accusing her of sexual harassment and of allegedly creating a hostile work environment.
They claim the singer pressured one of them into touching a nude performer at an Amsterdam club, as well as subjecting them to an “excruciating” audition after falsely accusing them of drinking on the job.
Lizzo is known for embracing body positivity. But the dancers claim she made comments about one performer putting on weight before firing her after she recorded a meeting because of an eye condition.
The lawsuit also accuses the captain of Lizzo’s dance team of attempting to convert the performers’ religious beliefs and deriding those who had premarital sex.
Shirlene Quigley is also accused of sharing lewd sexual fantasies and publicly discussing the virginity of one of the complainants.
The trio of dancers have also filed complaints of religious and racial harassment, false imprisonment, interference with prospective economic advantage and other allegations. The suit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, was shared with Sky News’ US partner network NBC News.
Representatives for Lizzo, Ms Quigley and Lizzo’s production company did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The suit does not say if Lizzo knew about the allegations linked to Ms Quigley, but the plaintiffs believed the singer was aware of their complaints about her, according to their lawyer, Ron Zambrano.
Two of the performers, Arianna Davis and Crystal Williams began performing with Lizzo after competing on her Amazon reality show “Watch Out for the Big Grrrls” in 2021 but were both later fired.
The third, Noelle Rodriguez, was hired in the same year after performing in the video “Rumours” but resigned earlier ths year.
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The suit states that an at afterparty at a club in Amsterdam, Lizzo allegedly “began inviting cast members to touch the nude performers”.
The singer is then accused of starting a chant when Ms Davis declined, allegedly embarrassing the dancer until she agreed.
All three dancers were apparently subjected to a 12-hour rehearsal and audition after Lizzo accused the cast of drinking before performances.
Pic: AP
The litigation states Ms Davis was so fearful she would lose her job if she went to the bathroom, she soiled herself. She was allegedly given a see-through outfit with no underwear to finish the performance.
Ms Williams was fired shortly after the incident, she claims because she spoke up in a meeting about the alleged drinking incidents.
Ms Davis was sacked the next day after recording a meeting because of an eye condition. She claims she made the recording so she could have a copy of Lizzo’s performance notes. But after being castigated, was fired on the spot.
After the meeting, Ms Rodriguez threatened to resign. As she left, she accuses Lizzo of raising both middle fingers and yelling a slur.
The suit does not specify a dollar amount for damages that cover emotional distress including unpaid wages, loss of earnings and attorney’s fees.
