Current:Home > ScamsLizzo sued for alleged hostile work environment, harassment by former dancers -PureWealth Academy
Lizzo sued for alleged hostile work environment, harassment by former dancers
View
Date:2025-04-26 12:24:10
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! (7)
Related
- Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
- Taylor Swift Surprises Fans With Double Album Drop of The Tortured Poets Department
- An appeals court dismisses charges against a Michigan election worker who downloaded a voter list
- 25 years ago, the trauma of Columbine was 'seared into us.' It’s still 'an open wound'
- Opinion: Gianni Infantino, FIFA sell souls and 2034 World Cup for Saudi Arabia's billions
- Taylor Swift’s Tortured Poets Department: Who Is Clara Bow?
- Utah and Florida clinch final two spots at NCAA championship, denying Oklahoma’s bid for three-peat
- The Vermont Legislature Considers ‘Superfund’ Legislation to Compensate for Climate Change
- 'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
- Seeking ‘the right side of history,’ Speaker Mike Johnson risks his job to deliver aid to Ukraine
Ranking
- Buckingham Palace staff under investigation for 'bar brawl'
- Crews turn sights to removing debris from ship’s deck in Baltimore bridge collapse cleanup
- The NBA playoffs are finally here. And as LeBron James says, ‘it’s a sprint now’
- Catholic priest resigns from Michigan church following protests over his criticism of a gay author
- The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
- Not a toddler, not a parent, but still love ‘Bluey’? You’re not alone
- Outage that dropped 911 calls in 4 states caused by light pole installation, company says
- Taylor Swift’s Tortured Poets Department: Who Is Clara Bow?
Recommendation
How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
Dubai airport operations ramp back up as flooding from UAE's heaviest rains ever recorded lingers on roads
Man dies in fire under Atlantic City pier near homeless encampment
Ex-Philadelphia police officer pleads guilty in shooting death of 12-year-old boy
RFK Jr. closer to getting on New Jersey ballot after judge rules he didn’t violate ‘sore loser’ law
US restricts drilling and mining in Alaska wilderness
How do I apply for Social Security for the first time?
The Transatlantic Battle to Stop Methane Gas Exports From South Texas