Lizzo is currently facing a disturbing lawsuit, which could leave her to pay millions of dollars in damage if she’s found in the wrong.
Three of the singer’ former back-up dancers filed a case in Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleging racial and sexual harassment as well as creating a toxic workplace again Lizzo (whose real name is Melissa Jefferson), her production company Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc, and her dance team captain, Shirlene Quigley.
The plaintiffs claim that they were visiting Banaenbar with Lizzo in Amsterdam, when the singer began “pressuring” them to interact with the nude entertainers.
"Lizzo began inviting cast members to take turns touching the nude performers, catching dildos launched from the performers’ vaginas, and eating bananas protruding from the performers’ vaginas,” they allege in court documents.
"[Lizzo allegedly] badgered the security guard to get on the club’s stage until he submitted to her demands,” the plaintiffs go on. "When he got on the stage, his pants were pulled down, exposing his buttocks. Lizzo then began yelling, 'Take it off!' while a club performer hit the security guard with whips."
The lawsuit further claims that Lizzo was racist towards her employees, as she "treated the Black members of the dance team differently than other members,” and that Lizzo also fat-shamed the dancers, while Quigley shared inappropriate information about her ex life.
Lizzo publicly responded to the lawsuit to deny the claims, and from the sounds of it, she plans to fight the allegations.
"With passion comes hard work and high standards," the Yitty founder said in a statement. "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. 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,” she continued. “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."
For now, it’s unclear how much the plaintiffs are seeking in damages. The case remains ongoing.
Sources: Billboard, TheGuardian,
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