Lizzo Sued Over Sexual Assault And 'Demoralising' Work Culture

Pop star Lizzo is being sued by three of her former dancers over sexual harassment and allegations of creating a hostile work environment. The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday, includes accusations of sexual, religious and racial harassment, discrimination, assault and false imprisonment.

The lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court named Lizzo, whose real name is Melissa Viviane Jefferson, her production company Big Grrrl Big Touring Inc and the captain of her dance team, Shirlene Quigley, Reuters reported.

Plaintiffs Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez made numerous charges including being "forced to endure sexually denigrating behaviour" and "pressured into participating in disturbing sex shows" between 2021 and 2023. 

Lizzo Accused Of Sexual Assault And Hostile Work Environment

"The stunning nature of how Lizzo and her management team treated their performers seems to go against everything Lizzo stands for publicly, while privately she weight-shames her dancers and demeans them in ways that are not only illegal but absolutely demoralising," the plaintiffs' attorney, Ron Zambrano, said in a statement.

The lawsuit alleged that Quigley harassed the dancers by subjecting them to her religious beliefs against their will.

Lizzo - who is known for being vocal about body shaming and self-love - is also accused, along with dance choreographer Tanisha Scott, of weight-shaming Davis on tour.

Davis alleges the two questioned whether she was "struggling with something as she seemed less committed to her role on the dance cast", the lawsuit details.

Though never explicitly stated, the questions "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 says.

The plaintiffs' claimed that Quigley forced the topic of Davis' virginity into conversations and interviews and on social media where she publicly revealed personal details about Davis without her consent.

The lawsuit said that Davis and Williams were eventually fired while Rodriguez resigned over the behaviour.

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