After days of gaining a bunch of media attention for all the wrong reasons, Lizzo is finally breaking her silence on these shocking allegations made by her former employees.
In a statement shared to her Instagram account this Thursday morning, the singer addresses allegations made by her ex-backup dancers who claim they were subjected to a hostile work environment and harassment while they were members of the Grammy-winner’s dance team and also accused her of sexual harassment. The dancers, Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez, also allege sexual, religious, and racial harassment, disability discrimination, and false imprisonment, according to a press release.
Lizzo began her statement by saying, “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.” She went on to say…
“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.”
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As we previously reported, Davis and Williams, both contestants on Lizzo’s Amazon Prime reality TV show, Watch Out for the Big Grrrls, were also accused of “drinking on the job”, which they wholeheartedly deny. “Alcohol wasn’t even allowed in our dressing room,” Davis told CBS News in an interview. Davis told the news outlet she was pressured to go to a club and touch the breasts of a nude performer against her will after Lizzo incited others to chant Davis’s name. The girls said they were afraid to speak out at the time because they feared for their jobs. However, Williams was ultimately fired in a hotel lobby.
In addition to these claims, Ron Zambrano, who is representing the trio, said in a statement “The stunning nature of how Lizzo and her management team treated their performers seems to go against everything Lizzo stands for publicly.” He also alleged in the suit that Lizzo “privately … weight-shames her dancers and demeans them in ways that are not only illegal but absolutely demoralizing.”
Addressing the body shaming and sexual harassment allegations head-on, Lizzo said in her statement, “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.”
Before conflicting, Lizzo said ultimately she feels “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.”
Lizzo did not share what legal steps she plans to take over these harsh allegations. Meanwhile, neither of the girls has yet reacted to the singer’s statement.
We will continue to keep you updated when more details have been shared.