Lizzo Breaks Silence on Allegations in Lawsuit by Her Former Dancers

Lizzo has said allegations by three of her ex-dancers, including sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment, are "false".

The singer called the last few days "gut-wrenchingly difficult and overwhelmingly disappointing".

"Usually I choose not to respond to false allegations but these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous to not be addressed."

The lawsuit also includes accusations of religious and racial harassment. Discrimination, assault and false imprisonment are also listed in the legal case.

Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez are the former dancers bringing the case against the singer, her dance captain, and her production company Big Grrrl Big Touring (BGBT).

Davis and Williams were fired from the dance team, while Rodriguez later resigned over the alleged treatment of her fellow colleagues.

On Wednesday, Williams told CBS she wanted to ensure that other dancers who work with Lizzo don't have to go through the same experience.

The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles on Tuesday, includes allegations of the dancers being "forced to endure sexually denigrating behavior" and were "pressured into participating in disturbing sexual shows" between 2021 and 2023.

Among the claims against Lizzo - whose real name is Melissa Viviane Jefferson - are that she pressured Davis to touch a performer in a nightclub in Amsterdam, and Davis - after resisting - eventually acquiesced out of fear it may harm her future on the team if she refused.

Lizzo - who is known for celebrating her body and self-love - is also accused, along with dance choreographer Tanisha Scott, of weight-shaming Ms 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.

Though never explicitly stated, the questions gave Davis the impression that she needed to explain her weight gain and disclose intimate personal details about her life to keep her job.

Additionally, the lawsuit alleges the dance team's captain, Shirlene Quigley, pushed her Christian beliefs on performers and derided those who engaged in premarital sexual relationships.

She is also accused of openly discussing one of the former dancers' chastity, and posting about it on social media.

Accusations including racial discrimination are also leveled at production company Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc.'s management team.

It alleges black members of the dance troupe were "treated differently" than other members of the team.

They were accused of being "lazy, unprofessional, and having bad attitudes" - the lawsuit claimed these are tropes often used "to disparage and discourage" black women and that other dancers were not treated like this.

The plaintiffs also allege Lizzo and the production company team did not pay them fairly while on parts of Lizzo's European tour.

They claim they were offered only 25% of their weekly compensatory pay during their time not performing on the tour, while other performers received 50% and they also claim they were told not to work on other projects while on tour.

Two of the three dancers involved in the lawsuit, Davis and Williams, met Lizzo in March 2021 while preparing to compete on the reality TV show Lizzo's Watch Out for the Big Grrrls, the lawsuit says.

The third, Rodriguez, was hired later in May 2021 to perform in Lizzo's Rumours music video. She then remained part of the dance troop, it adds.

Davis and Williams were fired from the dance team, while Rodriguez later resigned over the alleged treatment of her colleagues.

Read her full statement below:

"These last few days have been gut wrenchingly difficult and overwhelmingly disappointing. My work ethic, morals and respectfulness have been questioned. My character has been criticized.

Usually I choose not to respond to false allegations but these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous to not be addressed. These sensationalized stories are coming from former employees who have already publicly admitted that they were told their behavior on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional.

"As an artist, I have always been very passionate about 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 passion comes hard work and high standards. 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.

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.

"I'm hurt but I will not let the good work I've done in the world be overshadowed by this. I want to thank everyone who has reached out in support to lift me up during this difficult time."