


After news broke that three of Lizzo‘s backup dancers filed a lawsuit against her for creating a “hostile work environment,” Oscar-nominated director Sophia Nahli Allison weighed in with her own experience working with the singer.
“In 2019, I traveled a bit with Lizzo to be the director of her documentary. I walked away after about 2 weeks,” she wrote in a statement shared on Twitter yesterday (Aug. 1). “I was treated with such disrespect by her.”
The statement continues, “I witnessed how arrogant, self-centered, and unkind she is. I was not protected and was thrown into a shitty situation with little support. My spirit said to run as fast as you fucking can and I’m so glad I trusted my gut.”
After stating that she felt “gaslit” and “deeply hurt” at the time, she wrote, “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 for the dancers.”
Lizzo released her Love, Lizzo doc on Max (formerly known as HBO Max) in 2022. It’s unclear if Allison was working on the film or a different project.
Decider reached out to Lizzo’s rep for comment, but did not hear back by time of publication.
In the lawsuit filed yesterday, dancers Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez shared multiple instances in which Lizzo and her dance captain, Shirlene Quigley, allegedly made sexual comments or put them in situations that made them feel uncomfortable.
Davis and Williams joined Lizzo’s dance team after competing on her Prime Video competition series, Lizzo’s Watch Out For The Big Grrrls, which won two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Competition Program and Outstanding Picture Editing.

The accusations lobbed against the singer include allegations she made “thinly veiled” comments about Davis’ weight, and pressured some of the members of her cast and crew to participate in an after party with nude performers at an Amsterdam strip club. Quigley was also accused of proselytizing, simulating oral sex and making “inescapable” sexual comments.
Lizzo and Quigley have not issued an official statement regarding the lawsuit. But Quigley, who was also accused of preaching about her Christian beliefs often at work, shared a video on Instagram Tuesday evening after news broke.
“Hey everybody, I just wanted to get on here really quick and say God is so, so good,” she said in the video, before later stating, “I feel so thankful, I feel so full of joy. I had such an amazing time on tour with amazing people and I’m so excited to be home resting with my family and my dog after an amazing experience.”
Fans of the singer appeared shocked after news broke of the lawsuit, with many noting that the accusations of weight-shaming went against the platform Lizzo built on female and body empowerment.
“At no point did anyone from BGBT management nor Lizzo’s step in to put an end to this inappropriate behavior,” the lawsuit alleges.
The plaintiffs are suing for damages, lost wages, and emotional distress.