A group of three former tour dancers for popular artist Lizzo has filed a lawsuit against her, alleging that they were subjected to a hostile work environment that included instances of sexual harassment. The lawsuit was filed on Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court and accuses Lizzo and employees of her production company, Big Grrrl Big Touring Inc., of various misconducts.
According to the complaint, the dancers were interrogated about their weight and pressured to engage in sexually explicit acts at sex shows. It details an incident that allegedly occurred in Amsterdam earlier this year, where Lizzo and her staff allegedly encouraged the dancers to touch nude performers, catch dildos launched from performers’ vaginas, and eat bananas protruding from performers’ vaginas. The dancers claim that they felt uncomfortable and pressured into participating, with Lizzo and her staff laughing at their expense.
One of the plaintiffs, Arianna Davis, alleges that Lizzo specifically pressured her to touch the breasts of one of the nude performers despite her expressing discomfort. Davis reluctantly agreed after being goaded by Lizzo and her staff. The lawsuit also includes allegations of religious and racial harassment, disability discrimination, assault, and false imprisonment.
The lawsuit claims that Lizzo, known for promoting body positivity, questioned Davis about her seemingly diminished enthusiasm on the tour, which Davis interpreted as thinly veiled concerns about her weight gain. Davis felt pressured to explain her weight gain and disclose intimate personal details about her life in order to keep her job. Additionally, the lawsuit accuses Big Grrrl Big Touring Inc. of religious harassment, with dance team captain Shirlene Quigley monitoring Davis’ virginity and singling out another dancer, Noelle Rodriguez, as a non-believer. The dance team was allegedly pressured to engage in group prayers before rehearsals and performances.
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The assault claim in the lawsuit stems from an incident involving Rodriguez and Lizzo. Rodriguez claims that Lizzo approached her aggressively, yelling profanities and making physical gestures that suggested she was preparing to attack her, but was ultimately restrained by others. The lawsuit also mentions an incident where Davis was confined to a room against her will and told she couldn’t leave unless she submitted to a search of her phone’s contents. Davis and another dancer, Crystal Williams, were terminated from the tour, while Rodriguez chose to resign.
As of now, Lizzo or her representatives have not responded to the lawsuit or provided any comment on the matter.
It is important to note that these allegations are still pending and have not been proven in court. However, if true, they highlight serious issues in the entertainment industry and serve as a reminder of the importance of creating safe and respectful working environments for all individuals involved. Artists have a responsibility to ensure that their employees are treated with dignity and respect, and any form of sexual harassment or misconduct should not be tolerated.
This lawsuit also brings attention to the necessity of properly addressing issues of body shaming and discrimination within the industry. While Lizzo has been celebrated for her advocacy of body positivity, these allegations suggest that there may be discrepancies between her public image and her behavior behind the scenes. This serves as a reminder that it is crucial for public figures to practice what they preach and actively work towards creating inclusive and supportive environments for all individuals.
Overall, this lawsuit brings to light serious allegations against Lizzo and her production company. It will be interesting to see how the legal process unfolds and what actions will be taken to address these allegations. Regardless of the outcome, this case serves as a reminder that the entertainment industry, like any other, must prioritize the safety and well-being of its employees.
