Then on November 13, in the type of candid and personal Keke Palmer podcast, “Baby, This Is Keke Palmer,” Lizzo spoke-she finally broke her silence related to the lawsuits filed by a trio of former dancers, complementing similar courtroom demands this year from a former wardrobe stylist who eventually dropped her case. In expressing shock, hurt but determined to clear her name, these are just some of the ways Grammy-winning artist Lizzo described, in detail, the allegations that have dominated headlines now stretching into months.
A wave of lawsuits began when Lizzo became embroiled with multiple filings from three dancers for Lizzo; three, now-former backup performers by the names of Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez last year on counts that also include sexual harassment to maintain an intimidatingly hostile workspace, by even coercing dancers, the three women claimantss into activities that went even further: making certain ones touch nude performers backstage in Amsterdam. They followed that with Asha Daniel filing over alleged counts of sexual harassment along with disability discrimination and reprisal-termination.
These dancers described sobering allegations of workplace dynamics: incidents of weight-shaming and creating a racially and sexually oppressive environment. Among the controversies made were questions regarding a visit to Bananenbar, a club in Amsterdam, where Lizzo allegedly coerced the dancers into interactions with the performers of that club in a manner that was not comfortable for them.
The pop star called the lawsuits an “insane gut punch” in a podcast interview. “I was literally living in my dream, and then the tour ended, and three ex-dancers just completely blindsided me with a lawsuit,” Lizzo, 34, said on the podcast “On With Keke Palmer”. Outraged, Lizzo furiously denied all the accusations as “silly,” “ridiculous,” and said claims of sexual harassment were what really hurt.
Lizzo reflected on the emotional cost exacted by those lawsuits. “It was a really dark time for me, ’cause I care about the people that work with me,” she said. She noted she had felt betrayed by what should have constituted the internal part of her team and that adding the media glare in it simply made things harder.
One of the major developments in the case came earlier this month, when a judge dismissed Lizzo as an individual defendant in Asha Daniels’ suit. The court ruled that Daniels employer was, in fact, Lizzo’s touring and payroll companies – not the singer herself. Still, Lizzo’s company, Big Grrrl Big Touring Inc. remains a defendant in the case.
Lizzo promised to keep fighting the rest of the allegations. “We’re continuing to fight until they’re all dismissed. And not dropped, dismissed,” she said, insisting that she won’t be settling out of court.
The lawsuits have received mixed reactions from fans and critics alike; some have rallied around Lizzo, while others have criticized her actions, citing the power dynamic between employer and employee. Critics argue that due to Lizzo’s celebrity status and authority, dancers may have felt compelled to participate in activities.
The problem, as stated by Ron Zambrano, attorney for the dancers, is: “There is an utter lack of awareness by Lizzo failing to see how these young women on her team would feel pressured to accept an invitation from their global celebrity boss who rarely hangs out with them.” Zambrano reiterated that his clients would prove their claims in court.
On the podcast, Lizzo took the opportunity to tell her side of the story and reflect on some lessons she’s learned. She described the Amsterdam club outing as consensual. “It was such a fun night,” she said, adding that only two of the dancers who sued her were there and their presence was optional. “There was no mandatory invitation; I didn’t even know they were coming,” she explained.
The singer also spoke of the greater repercussions of the lawsuits on her professional life. “This experience has taught me healthy boundaries. I don’t think people I employ should even be privy to how I am in a bar at this point,” she said, conscious of the clearer separation that had to be there between personal and professional relationships.
