Lizzo recently took to social media to respond to the “outrageous” sexual harassment allegations made against her by three tour dancers last week.
The lawsuit, filed by dancers Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez, accuses Lizzo and her Big Grrrl Big Touring Inc. of a wide range of legal wrongdoing and included dozens of pages of detailed factual allegations.
Lizzo said the allegations that she and her company created a hostile work environment and indulged in religious and racial discrimination were as “unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous to not be addressed.”
“These last few days have been gut wrenchingly difficult and overwhelmingly disappointing,” she wrote on Instagram. “My work ethic, morals and respectfulness have been questioned. My character has been criticized.
“I am not the villain that people and the media have portrayed me to be these last few days,” Lizzo wrote. “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.”
Responding to a claim that she had “called attention” to a dancer’s weight gain, Lizzo wrote, “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.”
Lizzo said the accusations were “sensationalized stories from former employees who have already publicly admitted that they were told their behavior on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional.”
She called the allegations are an attack on her “ethic, morals and respectfulness.”
Lizzo added, “I’m 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.”
(Photo: AB+DM)
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