Lizzo is responding to the allegations from her former dancers, who this week sued the Grammy winner for alleged harassment, weight-shaming and extra.
In the bombshell lawsuit filed Tuesday, Crystal Williams, Arianna Davis and Noelle Rodriguez record a collection of accusations akin to discrimination, weight shaming, and sexual harassment that included ‘inviting cast members to take turns touching the nude performers’ at a membership in Amsterdam.
“Yeah, she was there with the dildos and the bananas and the vaginas,” the dancers’ legal professional Neama Rahmani tells the Daily News. “She’s the one that asked everyone to go, and everyone felt pressure to go to get along with Lizzo. Telling Arianna to touch the nude woman and telling the security guard to pull down his pants. He was whipped by one of the nude performers. Lizzo was an active participant in all of this.”
The “Truth Hurts” artist launched a press release Thursday denying all allegations in an Instagram publish writing, “These last few days have been gut wrenchingly difficult and overwhelmingly disappointing,” Lizzo posted to Instagram. “My work ethic, morals and respectfulness have been questioned. My character has been criticized.”
“Usually I choose not to respond to false allegations but these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous to not be addressed,” she continued. “These sensationalized stories are coming from former employees who have already publicly admitted that they were told their behavior on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional.”
“As an artist I’ve at all times been very obsessed with what I do. I take my music and my performances significantly as a result of on the finish of the day I solely need to put out the most effective artwork that represents me and my followers. With ardour comes onerous work and excessive requirements. Sometimes I’ve to make onerous selections nevertheless it’s by no means my intention to make anybody really feel uncomfortable or like they aren’t valued as an vital a part of the staff.
“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. 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.”
It’s a response Rahmani, who represents all three plaintiffs within the case, predicted Wednesday when talking to the News.
“I don’t care if it’s Donald Trump or Lizzo, civil criminal defendants rarely admit responsibility. Fully expect there to be a denial in this case and be litigated and have to go to trial.”
“If Lizzo were to apologize, I would be pleasantly surprised. I would take that to my clients and see what we can do to resolve this, but a public apology would certainly be a good start to fixing or at least undoing some of the harm that she’s caused.”
Rahmani says his shoppers need “justice.”
“They want their story told. Since we filed, so many people have come forward, current and former employers and dancers, and said, ‘Hey I was treated like this, too. It’s its own ‘me too’ movement.”
In the grievance filed by the Los Angeles Superior Court and obtained by the News, the trio can also be suing for “weight shaming’ one of many plaintiffs.
The pop star has gained the adoration of tens of millions of followers partly due to her physique assured picture.
Rahmani calls that picture a false one.
“The Lizzo that people see in public when cameras are rolling is very different from the Lizzo that is an employer.”
Lizzo wrapped up her assertion sharing, “I’m hurt but I will not let the good work I’ve done in the world be overshadowed by this. I want to thank everyone who has reached out in support to lift me up during this difficult time.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com”