Dancers on Lizzo’s Tour Sue Singer Alleging Harassment and Discrimination

Trio of Performers Accuse Lizzo of Body-Shaming, Sexual Harassment, and Religious Discrimination

Lizzo, the widely celebrated body-positive hip-hop star, faces a lawsuit filed by three dancers who were hired to tour with her. The dancers, Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez, allege that they were subjected to fat-shaming, sexual harassment, and religious discrimination while working for the Grammy-winning artist.

The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, names Lizzo (Melissa Viviane Jefferson), her production company Big Grrrl Big Touring Inc., and dance team captain Shirlene Quigley as defendants. The dancers claim that the harassment began during the production of Lizzo’s reality TV show, “Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls,” in which they joined the artist’s crew in 2021.

According to the complaint, Quigley, the dance team captain, was vocal about her religious beliefs and frequently attempted to proselytize to the dancers, disregarding their objections. Quigley made inappropriate comments about one of the dancers being a virgin, even discussing it in interviews and on social media, violating her privacy.

The lawsuit further alleges that the dancers were pressured to participate in a nude photoshoot against their will and faced discomfort in the sexually charged environment. Lizzo herself is accused of badgering a member of her security team to get on stage, where she pulled down his pants and hit him with whips.

The complaint also contends that the company’s mainly white management staff treated the dancers, who were full-figured women of color, with disrespect, implying racial and fat-phobic animus in their comments.

The dancers’ employment ended in a dramatic and confrontational manner. According to the dancers’ attorney, Davis and Williams were fired, while Rodriguez resigned in protest. Rodriguez claims that Lizzo aggressively confronted her, leading to fear of physical harm, and Davis alleges that she was detained against her will by Lizzo’s security detail.

The dancers seek legal redress for sexual, religious, and racial harassment, disability discrimination, assault, and false imprisonment. As the lawsuit unfolds, the allegations may challenge Lizzo’s public image of body positivity and inclusivity.

Morgan Snyder

Morgan Snyder is a highly respected senior correspondent for Los Angeles Magazine. With over 20 years of experience in the field of journalism, Morgan is known for his insightful reporting and in-depth analysis of local and national issues.

Morgan began his career as a staff writer for a small newspaper in his hometown before moving to Los Angeles to pursue his dream of becoming a correspondent. He quickly made a name for himself in the industry, earning praise for his coverage of everything from politics and crime to culture and entertainment.

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