‘Sensationalized stories’: Lizzo denies allegations waged by former dancers

Lizzo has spoken out in response to several of her tour dancers levelling allegations of sexual harassment against her, calling their claims “sensationalized stories”.

Earlier this week, a lawsuit filed by three of the singer’s tour dancers alleged that Lizzo had sexually harassed them and created a hostile work environment through sexual, racial and religious harassment in various incidents between 2021 and 2023.

In a lengthy statement shared on social media, Lizzo said the “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,” she said, adding that she was only speaking out because “false allegations but these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous not to be addressed.

“These sensationalized stories are coming from former employees who have already publicly admitted that they were told their behaviour on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional,” she continued.

The 35-year-old emphasized it was never her “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,” she said.

The lawsuit includes many claims, including that Lizzo allegedly pressured a dancer to touch a nude performer at a club and forced several dancers to take part in an “excruciating” 12-hour audition; it also alleges that the singer’s dance captain, Shirlene Quigley, pushed her Christian beliefs on performers and denigrated those who had premarital sex. The suit also says that Quigley simulated oral sex, shared lewd sexual fantasies and talked about a performer’s virginity.

The plaintiffs in the case are dancers Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez, who are represented by lawyer Ron Zambrano.

Lizzo, legal name Melissa Viviane Jefferson, her production company, Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc and Quigley are all labeled as defendants.

In a statement about the suit, Zambrano said: “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 demoralizing.”