Current:Home > MarketsLizzo sued for alleged hostile work environment, harassment by former dancers -Secure Growth Solutions
Lizzo sued for alleged hostile work environment, harassment by former dancers
View
Date:2025-04-23 11:29:46
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! (4)
Related
- Why we love Bear Pond Books, a ski town bookstore with a French bulldog 'Staff Pup'
- Harris in Tanzania pushes for strengthening democracy
- All the Bombshells Explored in Jared From Subway: Catching a Monster
- The Masked Singer: This Grammy Winner Was Just Unmasked
- Video shows dog chewing cellphone battery pack, igniting fire in Oklahoma home
- Group of Senate Democrats says Biden's proposed border policy violates U.S. asylum law
- Millie Bobby Brown Enters the Vanderpump Universe in the Most Paws-itively Adorable Way
- Jon Bernthal to Reprise His Role as the Punisher in Disney+'s Daredevil: Born Again
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- 2 dead, girl injured as hot air balloon catches fire outside of Mexico City
Ranking
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Daughter Lilibet Christened in California: All the Royal Details
- San Francisco drag legend Heklina reportedly found dead in London
- At least 40 killed as fire tears through migrant detention center in Mexico border city
- Clay Aiken's son Parker, 15, makes his TV debut, looks like his father's twin
- State Department confirms kidnapping of American couple in Haiti
- Where No Plywood Has Gone Before: A Space Agency Will Launch A Tiny, Wooden Satellite
- Andrew Tate moved to house arrest in Romania after months in police custody
Recommendation
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
Cole Sprouse Reflects on Really Hard Breakup From Riverdale Co-Star Lili Reinhart
Wake Up With Perfect Hair Every Morning and Extend Your Blowout When You Use Sleepy Tie
Paul Rusesabagina, Hotel Rwanda hero, arrives in U.S. after being freed from prison
From bitter rivals to Olympic teammates, how Lebron and Steph Curry became friends
Judy Blume Forever Trailer Will Leave You Blubbering With Nostalgia
New Zealand fire department releases cookbook of recipes to cook if you're drunk or high
Airlines, Banks And Other Companies Across The World Hit In The Latest Web Outage