Lizzo’s ready “2 Be Loved” again. The “Juice” songstress addressed the bombshell allegations against her on Thursday morning, penning a lengthy statement posted on
Social Media. Lizzo, whose legal name is Melissa Jefferson, is being sued for allegedly creating a hostile work environment by supposedly subjecting dancers, the plaintiffs , to body-shaming and sexually denigrating behavior against their will. The “Truth Hurts”
Singer denied the accusations, calling them “false” and “unbelievable.” “These last few days have been gut wrenchingly difficult and overwhelmingly disappointing. My work ethic, morals and respectfulness have been questioned. My character has been criticized,” Lizzo began her statement on X, formerly known as
Twitter. “Usually I choose not to respond to false allegations but these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous to not be addressed. “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.” The hitmaker, who is most known for her body-positive messaging and unapologetic self-love, admitted she is sometimes forced to “make hard decisions,” but that it was not her intention to “make anyone feel uncomfortable.” “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,” she continued. pic.twitter.com/5FHUy20BjM The statement continues, “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.” The YITTY founder said that while she does not want to be victimized, she is also “not the villain” she has been painted to be, writing that her “openness” about her sexuality has been used against her. “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,” she 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. “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.” The host and executive producer of “Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls” concluded her statement by urging her fans not to let her work be “overshadowed” by the ongoing controversy. “I’m hurt but I will not let the good work I’ve done in the world be overshadowed by this,” she wrote. “I want to thank everyone who has reached out in support to lift me up during this difficult time.” The lawsuit, filed this week, alleged that the Grammy winner took her crew out to Amsterdam’s red light district for what allegedly turned out to be a raunchy rendezvous. According to court documents obtained by Page Six, not only did Lizzo allegedly coerce cast members to touch and engage with nude performers, but she also purportedly deceived dancers into attending another show. Davis, who claimed to “soil herself” during auditions and feared “the repercussions” of going to the bathroom, was allegedly fired “on the spot” after recording a meeting with the singer. Davis, along with former dancers Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez, are suing Lizzo, Big Grrrl Big Touring and dance captain Shirlene Quigley for general and special damages, punitive damages and attorneys’ fees. “The stunning nature of how Lizzo and her management team treated their performers seems to go against everything Lizzo stands for publicly, while privately she weight-shames her dancers and demeans them in ways that are … absolutely demoralizing,” Ron Zambrano, the plaintiffs’ attorney, said in a statement. Former colleagues have also spoken out about the star, including former creative director Quinn Whitney Wilson and former dancer Courtney Hollinquest. The two applauded the plaintiffs , alleging that they experienced similar situations while working with the star. The filmmaker initially slated to direct Lizzo’s documentary “Love, Lizzo” has also come forward with her own statements. “I walked away after about two weeks,” Oscar nominee Sophia Nahli Allison wrote on X , formerly known as Twitter. “I was treated with such disrespect by her. I witnessed how arrogant, self-centered, and unkind she is.” The singers’ fans have debated if all the claims about her are true, taking sides online after
Beyoncé seemingly omitted Lizzo’s name from her performance of “Break My Soul,” which typically lists the “About Damn Time” singer’s name among a slew of others. The “Single Ladies” singer appeared to replace Lizzo’s name with Erykah Badu in the remix amid the legal row, leading fans to declare, “Beyoncé canceled Lizzo.”