It’s hard not to know Lizzo’s viral songs, especially when “About Damn Time” ruled over TikTok, YouTube, and Insta videos for weeks. However, fans could never guess that she would one day be sued over body shaming.
The singer, as well as her production company and dance captain, are being sued for creating a toxic and hostile work environment. Judging from the words of the victims, the management tried to control their personal lives by pushing religious faith on them as well as limiting their work prospects.
So how did the ‘self-love’ promoting idol suddenly fall from grace? Let’s learn more.
Why Is Lizzo Being Sued?
Lizzo is being sued by three of her former dancers over allegations of racial discrimination, body-shaming, and religious intolerance. She has also been accused of assault and false imprisonment.
The case has been brought up against Lizzo, her dance captain, and her production company, Big Grrl Big Touring (BGBT). The lawsuit details a night out in Amsterdam early this year. Lizzo and the dancers visited a nude performers club, Banenbar, in a Red Light District.
Despite her discomfort, Ms. Davis was allegedly pressurized to touch the breast of one of the performers. The suit also alleges that Lizzo got a security guard to take off his pants on stage.
Lizzo has also created a toxic work environment. She accused dancers of subpar performances and drinking alcohol before appearing onstage, despite the dancers not being involved with any such act.
Williams notes that she was wrongfully terminated under the guise of budget cuts. Davis was also fired, and Rodriguez left soon afterward.
The singer and her dance choreographer, Tanisha Scott, are also accused of fat-shaming the performers. Davis claims that the two tried to prod into her personal life, as they thought she seemed less committed to her role.
Why Is Lizzo’s Dance Team Captain Being Sued?
Lizzo’s dance team captain is Shirlene Quigley, who has been accused of making sexually explicit comments about the dancers, criticizing their personal lives, choices, and religious motivations.
According to Davis, Quigley kept tabs on the sex life of the performer, and Rodriguez was singled out for being a non-believer. The captain apparently screamed at Davis and Rodriguez as they were leaving the team. Quigley tried to force her Christian beliefs on the performers actively.
Why Is Lizzo’s Production Company Sued?
BGBT is being accused of not reacting to the harassment complaints that the dancers made. It is also accused of creating a toxic environment and treating Black members differently, as the management team mainly comprises White Europeans.
The company often accused the dancers of being lazy, unprofessional, and having bad attitudes. The accusations were extremely discouraging to the dancers, but non-Black dancers were never disparaged.
According to the dancers, Lizzo preferred that the dancers did not take other jobs between her tours but would also not pay them during the breaks. Thus, the plaintiffs became financially dependent on the income they generated from ‘The Special Tour.’
The suit also alleges that the management lashed out at them for bargaining for a 50% retainer fee. The plaintiffs also allege they were paid 25% while others got the standard rate.
Which Dancers are Suing Lizzo?
Three of the ex-dancers from Lizzo’s group, Crystal Williams, Arianna Davis, and Noelle Rodriguez, have sued her. Ms. Davis and Ms. Williams met the singer in March 2021 while they were preparing to compete on the reality show, Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls.
Ms. Rodriguez was later hired in May 2021 as a performer in Lizzo’s Rumors music video. She later joined the dance troup and remained a member.
While Ms. David and Williams were fired from the dance team, Ms. Rodriguez resigned at a later date due to the treatment from her colleagues.
From diminishing wages to controlling the dancers like puppets, the list of accusations is long. Tell us which side of the allegations you stand on in the comments below.
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