Lizzo: All the allegations made by former dancers as star announces exit from music

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Lizzo, a famous singer, has surprised her followers by revealing that she is deciding to stop creating music. This news comes several months after refuting accusations of sexually harassing and bullying former members of her dance team.

Last Friday (29 March), the talented artist who has won several awards disclosed her plan to retire from the entertainment industry through a post on social media.

On Instagram, she stated that she often confronts fabricated stories told about her for attention and popularity. She further expressed that she frequently becomes the object of ridicule due to her physical appearance. Additionally, she cited instances where individuals criticize her personality without knowing her, and they disrespect her reputation.

In the previous year, people who used to be part of Lizzo's dance group submitted complaints of sexual harassment and criticizing someone's weight in a 44-page legal case against her.

The legal document filed by Arianna Davis, Noelle Rodriguez, and Crystal Williams outlines a series of accusations including physical attacks, unsuitable sexual conduct, misconduct in the workplace, discrimination based on disability, and harassment regarding religion. Lizzo and her company, Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc. (BGBT), are the subjects of these allegations.

Lizzo has responded to untrue accusations by posting a statement on her social media accounts. She states that the accusations are so ridiculous that they must be addressed.

During the month of February, a judge in LA declined Lizzo's plea to dismiss the lawsuit, even though some claims were dismissed.

Below are all the claims that Davis, Rodriguez, and Williams have alleged against the artist known for the song "Rumors":

Lizzo: What Are The Accusations?

Lizzo has been sued by the plaintiffs for allegedly committing assault, showing disability discrimination, and engaging in sexual harassment. The Independent has obtained a copy of the legal case.

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The dancers have raised doubts about the way in which they were dismissed from Lizzo's organization called Big Grrrl Big Touring. As per the complaint that was filed, Lizzo was accused of drawing attention to Davis' weight gain and subsequently scolding her and terminating her employment "immediately" after she recorded a meeting due to her medical condition.

Lizzo takes home the esteemed title of Record Of The Year for her hit track 'About Damn Time' at the 2023 edition of the Grammy Awards.

The Recording Academy selected Getty Images for an event. Rewritten: The event was organized by The Recording Academy and they chose Getty Images to participate.

Rodriguez expressed disagreement with Lizzo's behavior towards Davis and decided to quit the cast. According to reports, Lizzo then supposedly confronted Rodriguez in a forceful manner. Rodriguez shared that she believed Lizzo might have physically attacked her if one of the other dancers didn't step in to stop it.

The people who accused Lizzo and her dance captain and partner Quigley stated that they had to face an environment that was sexually uncomfortable and provoked.

Reportedly, Lizzo allegedly encouraged cast members to participate in a game of touching the naked performers, receiving dildos launched from their vaginas, and eating bananas attached to the genitals of the performers while at a strip club in Amsterdam.

It is said that she urged Davis to touch the breasts of one of the naked women by chanting and encouraging him to do so.

Finally, after persistent chanting, Ms. Davis reluctantly agreed to the demands in an effort to put an end to the overwhelming chorus, according to the 44-page legal document.

It has been reported that Lizzo pressured a security staff member to join her on stage, and during the performance, his trousers were forcibly removed.

The lawsuit states that the plaintiffs were extremely shocked and upset by the lack of concern shown by Lizzo towards the independence of her workers and those in her vicinity, especially in front of a large number of individuals who were under her employ.

Lizzo's upcoming performance at Glastonbury in 2023.

The section within the blog will be reformulated in unrestricted English by employing a variety of different words: (Photograph captured by OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images)

There are claims that the dancers were subjected to a harsh re-audition after Lizzo suspected that they were consuming alcoholic beverages before their performances, leading to their inadequate performance.

According to Davis, she accidentally dirtied her clothes because she was afraid to take a break and go to the bathroom during the long 12-hour rehearsal. Later, when she finally had a chance to change into fresh attire, the wardrobe crew supposedly provided her with a transparent outfit.

The lawsuit claimed that [she] had to complete the practice in front of male crew members who were notorious for sexualizing the dancers, even in less revealing situations. The outfit worn was entirely transparent shorts without any undergarments.

According to Davis, Lizzo and her choreographer hinted at her weight gain in a subtle way, which she had already noticed herself while attending the South by Southwest music festival.

The individual mentioned that they had an urge to clarify their increase in weight to maintain their occupation. They felt upset and exhausted from being coerced into revealing their diagnosis of binge eating disorder.

According to reports, Lizzo proposed to Davis that she take a break from rehearsal. However, Davis refused as she didn't want to be perceived as being unable to keep up with the rest of the team.

Ex-employees Share ‘sensational’ Tales

The announcement of the legal action was a surprise to supporters of Lizzo, who is an advocate for embracing diverse body types and feminism.

The vocalist claimed that the lawsuit was packed with exaggerated tales from ex-staff who have already confessed in public that their actions on tour were not appropriate or professional. This statement was made 48 hours after the initial accusation.

She added: "I consider my music and performances with great importance as I strive to produce top-notch art that reflects myself and my supporters."

Lizzo mentioned that when you have a passion for something, you have to put in effort and have high expectations. Although there may be tough choices to make, she never intends to make anyone feel uneasy or believe that their contribution to the team is not important.

The artist "Juice" emphasized that she does not desire to be perceived as someone who has been harmed. Nonetheless, she made it clear that the way she has been depicted in the media and by others over the past few days is incorrect, and that she is not a villain.

She refuted the allegations of body-shaming her staff and revealed that she felt emotional pain because of the accusations. She also expressed appreciation for the assistance she got from others.

“I am wounded but I refuse to allow this to diminish the positive impact I’ve made in the world. I extend my gratitude to all those who have provided me with support and encouragement to help me get through this challenging period,” she concluded.

Lizzo challenged contestants of 'Watch Out for the Big Grrrls' to take naked photographs.

Who Else Faces The Lawsuit?

There are other people being accused alongside Lizzo. Among them are Shirlene Quigley, the person who is in charge of Lizzo's team of dancers, and a company called Big Grrrl Big Touring Inc.

According to Davis, Quigley frequently talked to her about their common Christian identity. Davis also stated that Quigley would often try to persuade other members of the dance group with her beliefs, causing them to feel uneasy.

According to the lawsuit, during the production of Watch Out for the Big Grrrls, Quigley made Davis' virginity a topic of great significance. She reportedly shared this private information about Davis with the general public, including during interviews, without obtaining her consent.

It is claimed that Quigley made disrespectful remarks regarding individuals who partake in sexual activities prior to getting married, even though she was aware that some of the team members did not agree with her opinions.

Davis, Williams, and Rodrigues have lodged allegations against Quigley that involve him engaging in sexually inappropriate conduct at the workplace. One such instance reportedly involved him simulating oral sex on a banana in front of the cast. This party trick, as the plaintiffs describe it, caused extreme discomfort to them.

According to the source, Quigley supposedly uttered "sexually suggestive remarks," even divulging her personal erotic musings to her colleagues.

It has been alleged that Quigley forced her religious views on Rodriguez, who does not hold any beliefs. When Rodriguez requested Quigley to abstain from such actions, she became angry and shouted at her, according to reports.

The Independent has contacted Quigley's representatives for a statement.

There are accusations of racism directed at Big Grrrl, specifically towards the Black women in the dance team. The management team has accused them of being unprofessional, having a bad attitude, and being lazy.

The request made by Lizzo to dismiss the case entirely wasn't granted by Judge Mark H Epstein on 2 February 2024. This decision was made under California's anti-SLAPP statute, which aims to put an end to lawsuits that threaten free speech and are found to be baseless.

Some of the accusations in the lawsuit were rejected by Judge Epstein. This included a claim of sexual harassment during a nude photoshoot on the set of Watch Out for the Big Grrrls. Also, a charge of discrimination based on disability, which was made by a dancer who stated that she was dismissed from Lizzo's tour after revealing her mental health struggles, was dismissed. Lastly, an accusation that Lizzo's team deliberately interfered with the job opportunities of the dancers was also dismissed.

Even so, he has given permission for the lawsuit to move forward.

According to the judge's ruling, it can be precarious for courts to infringe clumsily on activities that are safeguarded by the constitution. However, it can also pose a significant risk to disregard claims of unfair treatment or inappropriate behavior, solely because they occurred within a setting revolving around speech.

Lizzo is a famous artist who advocates for the idea of being comfortable with one's body, equal rights for women, the LGBT+ community, and taking a stance against bullying. In her time as an artist, she has built a worldwide reputation for promoting self-love and body positivity with a collection of empowering songs.