'Not The Villian', Lizzo Responds To Sexual Harassment Allegations By Former Dancers

Pop superstar, Lizzo, has addressed allegations of sexual harassment and weight-shaming in a new statement shared on social media.

On 1st of August, 2023, three of Lizzo’s former dancers came forward to accuse Lizzo of creating a hostile work environment, and filed a lawsuit against the Grammy award winner.

The three plaintiffs, Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez, accused the singer, and her dance captain, Shirlene Quigley of a series of incidents that took place between 2021 to 2023.

The allegations, which led to an outpouring of shock from Lizzo’s fans, include sexual, racial and religious harassment. However, not every claim was brought against every defendant.

In a statement shared on Lizzo’s social media pages, she shot down the allegations made against her as “unbelievable,” and “outrageous”, and said that she is “not the villain that people and the media have portrayed her to be”.

“These last few days have been gut wrenchingly difficult and overwhelmingly disappointing,” she began the post.

“My work ethic, morals and respectfulness have been questioned. My character has been criticised… 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 part of their legal action, Davis and Williams have claimed that they were unfairly dismissed after Lizzo allegedly accused them of drinking before a performance, and subjected them to an excruciating 12-hour audition.

In her response, Lizzo did not deny that some members of her tour entourage had been dismissed, writing that some decisions had to be made due to the high standards required for a successful tour.

Lizzo further refuted the allegations in her statement, writing, “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.”

She rounded off her response by declaring that she would not let the good work she has done in the world be overshadowed.

See tweet below,