US pop star Lizzo (35) has responded for the first time to allegations made by three former backup dancers at the beginning of the week. The 35-year-old rapper and singer shared a detailed post on Instagram. It begins by saying, “The last few days have been terribly difficult and overwhelmingly disappointing. My work ethic, morals and respect have been questioned. My character has been criticized. I don’t normally respond to false accusations, but these are as incredible as they are sound, and too outrageous not to mention.”
It was announced on Tuesday that three former dancers of the US star had filed suit in Los Angeles against the singer, her company Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc. and the head of her dance team. According to US media, the women accuse her of sexual harassment and creating a toxic work environment. Lizzo is said to have forced the dancers on tour in Amsterdam earlier this year to touch the performers present during a sex show.
In her statement today, the singer explained that “these startling stories” come from former employees “who have already publicly admitted that they were told their conduct on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional.” She takes her music and her performances seriously. “Passion comes with hard work and high standards. Sometimes I have to make difficult decisions, but it is never my intention to make anyone feel uncomfortable or feel that they are not valued as an important part of the team” , the singer continues.
She herself was also “very open” about her sexuality. She continued, “I’m not here to be seen as a victim, but I also know I’m not the villain that people and the media have made me out to be over the past few days.”
Lizzo is also said to have responded to the weight gain of one of the dancers behind the scenes, and thereby humiliated the woman, which angered her fans particularly. After all, the pop star is committed to body positivity in public. Lizzo now writes about this specific allegation in her post today: “There is nothing I take more seriously than the respect that we deserve as women in the world. I know how it feels to be the victim of body shaming every day and would definitely not criticize or fire an employee because of her weight.”
In addition, shortly after the first allegations against Lizzo became known, another former employee made public allegations. The documentary film director Sophia Nahli Allison (36), who according to “EW” was supposed to direct the documentary “Love, Lizzo” (2022), said she left the project after just two weeks.
The reason given by the Oscar-nominated filmmaker was an “extremely toxic and hostile work environment” that the singer would have created. Allison wrote this in an Instagram story that “EW” has. The singer also calls her a “narcissistic bully” who “built her brand on lies.” Lizzo’s image and message are just “a curated facade.”
