Renowned American rapper, Lizzo, whose real name is Melissa Viviane Jefferson, finds herself in the midst of a legal dispute. A group of former dancers from her touring team have filed a lawsuit, alleging the creation of a hostile work environment riddled with sexual harassment.
The legal complaint, as detailed by Variety, was lodged in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. It not only names Lizzo as a defendant but also includes her production company, Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc. (BGBT), and Shirlene Quigley, who holds the position of the dance team’s captain under the Lizzo brand.
These dancers have levelled serious allegations against Lizzo, her production house, and her dance team captain. The charges include sexual, religious, and racial harassment, disability discrimination, assault, and even false imprisonment, among a variety of other accusations.
One specific claim states that Lizzo pressured the dancers to attend a sex show in Amsterdam’s notorious Red Light District and even tried to persuade them to interact with the performers. The dancers maintain that they were uncomfortable with the situation and felt cornered into participating.
Adding to their complaints, the plaintiffs further allege that on another occasion, Lizzo invited them out but didn’t inform them that their destination was a nude cabaret bar. According to the dancers, this omission was akin to “robbing them of the choice not to participate,” as mentioned in the legal filing.
Another accusation thrown Lizzo’s way involves body shaming. The legal documents state that Lizzo singled out one dancer for her weight gain, making derogatory comments and accusing her of lacking commitment to her role.
As of now, Lizzo hasn’t publicly responded to the allegations. However, the gravity of the charges presents a significant challenge for her and her team, promising an uphill legal battle in the days to come. The situation highlights the importance of maintaining professional boundaries and ethical standards, even in the high-pressure world of show business.
