Following allegations of sexual harassment and body shaming from her touring dancers, Lizzo responds to the allegations. Here’s the latest.
Lizzo took to Twitter to make her statement, denying the allegations outlined in a lawsuit filed by three former dancers. Those dancers allege the singer created a hostile work environment, engaged in sexual harassment during after parties, and made ‘thinly veiled’ comments about the girls’ weight.
“Usually I choose not to respond to false allegations but these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous not to be addressed,” the singer begins in her statement on Twitter.
“These sensationalized stories are coming from former employees who have already publicly admitted that they were told their behavior on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional,” she continues.
“As an artist I have always been very passionate about what I do. I take my music and my performances seriously because at the end of the day I only want to put out the best art that represents me and my fans. With passion comes hard work and high standards. Sometimes I have to make hard decisions but it’s never my intention to make anyone feel uncomfortable or like they aren’t valued as an important part of the team.”
This likely refers to the part of the lawsuit where the dancers allege that Lizzo favored employees who attended after parties at strip clubs following performances on tour. Such after parties were not mandatory, but the defendants allege Lizzo treated those who went differently than those who chose not to partake.
“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,” Lizzo continues. “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. 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.”
“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,” she concludes.
One plaintiff in the case alleges that Lizzo’s comments about her weight made her feel as though she had to “disclose intimate personal details about her life in order to keep her job.”
