Current:Home > InvestLizzo sued for alleged hostile work environment, harassment by former dancers -Wealth Legacy Solutions
Lizzo sued for alleged hostile work environment, harassment by former dancers
View
Date:2025-04-13 04:17:42
Grammy-award winning singer Lizzo is being sued by three of her former dancers for alleged harassment and creating a hostile work environment.
The complaint was filed Tuesday in Los Angeles County Superior Court against Lizzo, whose legal name is Melissa Viviane Jefferson, as well as her production company Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc. (BGBT).
Shirlene Quigley, captain of Lizzo's dance team, is also named in the complaint.
Dancers Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez allege "sexual, religious and racial harassment, disability discrimination, assault and false imprisonment," according to the press release about the lawsuit from the plaintiffs' attorney Ron Zambrano.
"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," said Zambrano.
MORE: Lizzo takes on size-ism in new show and album
The complaint alleges that Lizzo pressured her dancers to engage in a nude photo shoot during Lizzo's "Watch Out for the Big Grrrls" dance competition show on Amazon Prime, as well as attend nude performances and touch nude performers at clubs in the Red Light District in Amsterdam.
Dancers also say they were "tricked" into going to a nude cabaret bar by Lizzo, claiming she concealed details about the event they were attending.
Plaintiffs also accuse BGBT management of discriminating against the Black members of the dance team in both pay and treatment.
MORE: Lizzo talks new show, new music and why fight against body shamers continues
Davis also asserts that Lizzo and her team made negative comments alluding to her weight gain.
The dancers also accuse Quigley of preaching Christianity and against premarital sex in the workplace, "while oversharing her masturbatory habits and sex life with her husband," according to the press release. She is also accused of broadcasting a dancer's virginity in the workplace, as well as in interviews and social media.
Davis and Williams say they were fired, while Rodriguez resigned over the alleged workplace climate.
When Rodriguez resigned, she said "Lizzo aggressively approached Ms. Rodriquez, cracking her knuckles, balling her fists" and "feared that Lizzo intended to hit her and would have done so if one of the other dancers had not intervened."
The "Truth Hurts" pop star is known for her body positive activism and upbeat pop music about self-love.
Lizzo's representatives, BGBT and Quigley have not yet returned ABC News' requests for comment.
veryGood! (58822)
Related
- 'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
- Not again. Federal workers who’ve weathered past government shutdowns brace for yet another ordeal
- Hunter Biden sues Rudy Giuliani in latest 'laptop' salvo
- Police chief went straight to FBI after Baton Rouge 'brave cave' allegations: Source
- Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
- 5 workers picketing in UAW strike hit by vehicle outside Flint-area plant
- There's a good chance you're not planning for retirement correctly. Here's why.
- Cars are a major predator for wildlife. How is nature adapting to our roads?
- Tom Holland's New Venture Revealed
- Trump's lawyers accuse special counsel of seeking to muzzle him with request for gag order in election case
Ranking
- Small twin
- 5 workers picketing in UAW strike hit by vehicle outside Flint-area plant
- A new climate change report offers something unique: hope
- A new battery recycling facility will deepen Kentucky’s ties to the electric vehicle sector
- Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
- Historic Venezuelan refugee crisis tests U.S. border policies
- Hunter Biden sues Rudy Giuliani in latest 'laptop' salvo
- Lionel Messi in limbo ahead of Inter Miami's big US Open Cup final. Latest injury update
Recommendation
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
Francesca Farago Reveals Her Emotional Experience of Wedding Dress Shopping
Minnesota teen last seen in 2021 subject of renewed search this week near Bemidji
Hunter Biden sues Rudy Giuliani, attorney Robert Costello for hacking laptop data
Behind on your annual reading goal? Books under 200 pages to read before 2024 ends
Hunter Biden sues Rudy Giuliani in latest 'laptop' salvo
Jonathan Van Ness tears up in conversation with Dax Shepard about trans youth: 'I am very tired'
Nevada man gets life in prison for killing his pregnant girlfriend on tribal land in 2020