Lizzo has insisted she is “not the villain” as she is sued by three former dancers over allegations of sexual harassment and the creation of a hostile work surroundings.
The grievance, filed in Los Angeles on Tuesday, was introduced in opposition to the Truth Hurts singer, actual title Melissa Viviane Jefferson, and her manufacturing firm Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc (BGBT).
The three dancers – Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez – declare they had been topic to sexual, spiritual and racial harassment, incapacity discrimination, assault and false imprisonment, amongst different allegations.
These embody the accusation the singer pressured one among them into touching a nude performer at a membership in Amsterdam’s pink mild district.
They additionally accuse the captain of Lizzo’s dance crew, Shirlene Quigley, of making an attempt to transform the performers’ spiritual beliefs and deriding those that had premarital intercourse, and in addition sharing lewd sexual fantasies and publicly discussing the virginity of one of many complainants.
Ms Davis and Ms Williams started dancing with Lizzo after competing on her Amazon actuality present “Watch Out for the Big Grrrls” in 2021, however had been each later fired.
Rodriguez, was employed in the identical yr after performing within the video “Rumours” however resigned earlier this yr over the “appalling behaviour”.
Responding to the controversy in a press release posted on Instagram, Lizzo stated: “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.”
She wrote: “These previous couple of days have been intestine wrenchingly tough and overwhelmingly disappointing.
“My work ethic, morals and respectfulness have been questioned. My character has been criticised.
“Usually I select not to answer false allegations however these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous to not be addressed.
“These sensationalised stories are coming from former employees who have already publicly admitted that they were told their behaviour on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional.
“As an artist I’ve all the time been very captivated with what I do.
“I take my music and my performances seriously because at the end of the day I only want to put out the best art that represents me and my fans.
“With ardour comes arduous work and excessive requirements.
“Sometimes I have to make hard decisions but it’s never my intention to make anyone feel uncomfortable or like they aren’t valued as an important part of the team.”
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Lizzo’s former backup dancers allege she ‘contradicts every little thing she stands for behind the scenes’
Lizzo added: “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 extra significantly than the respect we deserve as girls on the planet.
“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.
“I’m damage however I cannot let the nice work I’ve completed on the planet be overshadowed by this. I wish to thank everybody who has reached out in assist to raise me up throughout this tough time.”
Source: information.sky.com”