Lizzo is being sued by her former backup dancers, some of whom competed on her Emmy Award-winning Prime Video series, Lizzo’s Watch Out For The Big Grrrls.
According to a press release shared with Decider, the singer is being accused of weight-shaming, harassment, and creating a hostile work environment by three of her former dancers. Her production company Big Grrrl Big Touring and her dance captain Shirlene Quigley are also named as defendants in the lawsuit, which was first reported by NBC News.
“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,” the plaintiff’s attorney, Ron Zambrano, said in a statement.
Plaintiffs Arianna Davis and Crystal Williams were hired by Lizzo after competing on her dance competition series, which allowed contestants the chance to join her on tour.
In one instance, the lawsuit accuses Lizzo of weight-shaming Davis after a performance at South by Southwest. Lizzo and her choreographer, Tanisha Scott, made what the suit described as “thinly veiled” comments about Davis’ weight by questioning her commitment to the tour. The singer also allegedly pointed out her weight gain in a separate incident after the festival.
The lawsuit also claims Lizzo pressured Davis to touch a nude performer and urged one of her security guards to “take it off” at a strip club in Amsterdam during one of her routine afterparties, which crew members were encouraged to attend for added job security.
“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,” the suit states.
Quigley was also accused of proselytizing and making constant sexual comments, so much so, the lawsuit describes them as “inescapable.” The lawsuit also claims the plaintiffs reported tour drivers for inappropriate behavior, but alleges nothing was done about either situation.
“At no point did anyone from BGBT management nor Lizzo’s step in to put an end to this inappropriate behavior,” the lawsuit reads.
Williams was fired from the tour in April, just days after she challenged Lizzo’s accusations that the dancers were drinking before performances, per the lawsuit. Her firing was chalked up to budget cuts, but she was the only dancer let go, according to the suit.
Her firing was later mentioned “repeatedly” in a meeting Lizzo had with the dancers, in which she allegedly threatened that she had “eyes and ears everywhere.”
Davis was then fired for taking a recording of that meeting. “Ms. Quigley and Lizzo then took turns berating Ms. Davis,” the suit states. “After castigating Ms. Davis, Lizzo fire[d] Ms. Davis on the spot.”
The third plaintiff, Noelle Rodriguez, said she felt”disrespected” by how Lizzo handled the situation and indicated she would resign. The lawsuit states that in response, Lizzo “aggressively approached Ms. Rodriquez, cracking her knuckles, balling her fists” and stating, ‘You’re lucky. You’re so fucking lucky!'” Security nor management intervened, according to the suit. Rodriguez quit earlier this year.
BGBT is also facing claims of false imprisonment after they forced Davis to stay in a room while they searched her phone for the recording. The plaintiffs are suing for damages, lost wages, and emotional distress.
Decider has reached out to a rep for Lizzo for comment, but did not hear back by time of publication.