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Lizzo has insisted she is “not the villain” as she is sued by three former dancers over allegations of sexual harassment and the creation of a hostile work atmosphere.
The criticism, filed in Los Angeles on Tuesday, was brought against the Truth Hurts singer, actual title Melissa Viviane Jefferson, and her manufacturing firm Large Grrrl Large Touring, Inc (BGBT).
The three dancers – Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez – declare they have been topic to sexual, spiritual and racial harassment, incapacity discrimination, assault and false imprisonment, amongst different allegations.
These embrace the accusation the singer pressured one among them into touching a nude performer at an Amsterdam membership.
Additionally they accuse the captain of Lizzo’s dance crew, Shirlene Quigley, of making an attempt to transform the performers’ spiritual beliefs and deriding those that had premarital intercourse, and likewise sharing lewd sexual fantasies and publicly discussing the virginity of one of many complainants.
Ms Davis and Ms Williams started dancing with Lizzo after competing on her Amazon actuality present “Watch Out for the Large Grrrls” in 2021, however have been each later fired.
Rodriguez, was employed in the identical 12 months after performing within the video “Rumours” however resigned earlier this 12 months over the “appalling behaviour”.
Responding to the controversy in an announcement posted on Instagram, Lizzo stated: “I’m not right here to be checked out as a sufferer, however I additionally know that I’m not the villain that individuals and the media have portrayed me to be these previous few days.”
She wrote: “These previous few days have been intestine wrenchingly troublesome and overwhelmingly disappointing.
“My work ethic, morals and respectfulness have been questioned. My character has been criticised.
“Normally I select not to answer false allegations however these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous to not be addressed.
“These sensationalised tales are coming from former workers who’ve already publicly admitted that they have been advised their behaviour on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional.
“As an artist I’ve all the time been very obsessed with what I do.
“I take my music and my performances severely as a result of on the finish of the day I solely need to put out the perfect artwork that represents me and my followers.
“With ardour comes laborious work and excessive requirements.
“Typically I’ve to make laborious choices nevertheless it’s by no means my intention to make anybody really feel uncomfortable or like they are not valued as an necessary a part of the crew.”
Lizzo added: “I’m very open with my sexuality and expressing myself however I can not settle for or permit individuals to make use of that openness to make me out to be one thing I’m not.
“There’s nothing I take extra severely than the respect we deserve as ladies on the earth.
“I do know what it feels wish to be physique shamed each day and would completely by no means criticize or terminate an worker due to their weight.
“I am damage however I cannot let the nice work I’ve performed on the earth be overshadowed by this. I need to thank everybody who has reached out in assist to elevate me up throughout this troublesome time.”
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