The pop music star known as Lizzo, who routinely uses her music and public image to promote body positivity, is being accused of harassing one of her former backup dancers about their weight gain.
In a lawsuit (pdf) filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, several former backup dancers accuse Melissa Viviane Jefferson—known professionally as Lizzo—of creating a hostile work environment.
One of Lizzo’s backup dancers, Arianna Davis, alleged Lizzo and a dance choreographer questioned her professional performance and began making “thinly veiled” comments about her weight gain.
The civil complaint alleges a comment Lizzo made about Ms. Davis’ weight at the South by Southwest music festival in April of this year, combined with the questions about her performance, gave Ms. Davis the impression that “she needed to explain her weight gain and disclose intimate personal details about her life in order to keep her job.”
The lawsuit, brought by Ms. Davis and co-plaintiffs Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez, also includes allegations of sexual, religious, and racial harassment. The lawsuit also raises claims of discrimination against those with disabilities, assault, and false imprisonment.
Ms. Davis and Ms. Williams were originally brought on as Lizzo’s backup dancers in 2021 after appearing as contestants on Lizzo’s reality television show, “Watch Out for the Big Grrrls” (WOFTBG). The show’s premise centered around plus-size women competing for the chance to tour with Lizzo. The lawsuit names BIG GRRRL BIG TOURING, INC. (BGBT) as a co-defendant in the lawsuit, as well as Shirlene Quigley, a judge on WOFTBG and captain of Lizzo’s dance team.
Ms. Rodriguez was hired by Lizzo and BGBT in 2021.
The lawsuit further alleges that Lizzo often instilled in her dancers that she was looking for “good people with good energy.” The lawsuit claims dancers who attended after-party events Lizzo planned were often favored by Lizzo, and enjoyed greater job security. One such after-party event included visiting Amsterdam’s red-light district, known for its nude clubs and abundance of sex workers. The lawsuit alleges Lizzo began pressuring the plaintiffs to touch nude performers at one club, among other acts.
The complaint states Lizzo led at least one chant pressuring Ms. Davis to touch a nude woman performing at the club.
“Finally, the chorus became overwhelming, and a mortified Ms. Davis acquiesced in an attempt to bring an end to the chants,” the complaint reads. “Plaintiffs were aghast with how little regard Lizzo showed for the bodily autonomy of her employees and those around her, especially in the presence of many people whom she employed.”
The lawsuit raises additional allegations Ms. Quigley would, at times, criticize premarital sex and emphasize the importance of maintaining one’s virginity until marriage, while at other times making sexually charged comments and mimicking sexual acts. Ms. Quigley allegedly emphasized Christian religious views around the plaintiffs, and singled out Ms. Rodriguez as a “non-believer” in need of added religious proselytizing.
No Pay During Break
Another issue raised by the lawsuit was the three-month gap between the American and European leg of Lizzo’s latest tour. The lawsuit states that the plaintiffs were only paid while they were touring, but that they had no performances scheduled between November 2022 and the start of the European tour leg in February.
The plaintiffs were allegedly discouraged from seeking other performance work despite receiving no pay during the break.
While the plaintiff dancers were financially dependent on the money they’d made in the earlier leg of the tour, they learned that musicians and other members of the tour were still being paid during the break in touring.
The plaintiff dancers are seeking punitive damages, damages for emotional distress, payments for medical expenses, lost wages, and other benefits.
Lizzo Responds
NTD News reached out to Lizzo’s touring company, but did not receive a response by the time this article was published.
The music star did, however, address the allegations in an Instagram post on Thursday.
“These last few days have been gut wrenchingly difficult and overwhelmingly disappointing. My work ethic, morals and respectfulness have been questioned. My character has been criticized,” Lizzo’s statement reads. “Usually I choose not to respond to false allegations but these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous to not be addressed.”
Lizzo then said her accusers have already publicly admitted to their own inappropriate and unprofessional behavior during the tour, though she did not elaborate on the claim.
“I am not here to be looked at as a victim, but I also know that I am not the villain that people and the media have portrayed me to be these last few days,” the statement continued. “I am very open with my sexuality and expressing myself but I cannot accept or allow people to use that openness to make me out to be something I am not. There is nothing I take more seriously than the respect we deserve as women in the world. I know what it feels like to be body shamed on a daily basis and would absolutely never criticize or terminate an employee because of their weight. ”
The Associated Press contributed to this article.