Lizzo, the powerhouse behind hits like About Damn Time, is finally breaking her silence on the multiple lawsuits that have been filed against her—claims she says are “completely untrue.”
The Grammy-winning singer, 35, sat down with Keke Palmer on the Baby, This Is Keke Palmer podcast on December 19, where she opened up about the accusations that have plagued her over the past year. In a candid conversation, Lizzo revealed she felt “blindsided” by the lawsuits, firmly denying any wrongdoing.
“I was literally living my dream, and then the tour ended, and three ex-dancers just completely, like, blindsided me with a lawsuit,” Lizzo explained.
What Are the Allegations Against Lizzo?
The legal drama surrounding Lizzo began in August 2023, when three former backup dancers—Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez—filed a lawsuit against her in Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleging:
- Sexual harassment
- Religious and racial harassment
- Disability discrimination
- False imprisonment
- Assault
One of the most shocking claims in the lawsuit is that Lizzo allegedly weight-shamed one of the dancers—a particularly ironic accusation considering Lizzo’s outspoken advocacy for body positivity. The suit also claims that Lizzo pressured the dancers into participating in nude photoshoots and even encouraged one of them to touch a nude performer at an Amsterdam club.
Additionally, the suit names Lizzo’s dance captain, Shirlene Quigley, as a defendant, alleging that she frequently preached Christianity and shared inappropriate personal details, including discussing the virginity of one of the plaintiffs.
Lizzo’s Response: “None of These Things Are True”
During the podcast, Lizzo didn’t hold back, making it clear that she plans to fight until she’s fully cleared.
“The hardest part about all this is that none of these things were true,” she insisted.
Regarding the infamous Amsterdam burlesque club incident, Lizzo was quick to shut down claims that she forced anyone to attend.
“I went on my own,” Lizzo said, adding, “I didn’t take the dancers anywhere. They came to the club I was at, and it was no mandatory invitation.”
She also addressed the growing narrative that her celebrity status may have influenced the dancers’ decision to attend, saying, “I didn’t even know they were coming.”
However, the dancers’ attorney, Ron Zambrano, fired back, claiming Lizzo’s explanation completely ignored the power dynamics at play.
“There is an utter lack of awareness by Lizzo,” Zambrano told Yahoo Entertainment. “We stand by the claims and are prepared to prove everything in court with Lizzo under oath.”
The Fashion Designer Lawsuit: A Partial Win for Lizzo
Lizzo may be facing an uphill battle with her dancers, but she recently scored a partial legal victory in a separate lawsuit filed by clothing designer Asha Daniels.
Daniels, who worked as a wardrobe stylist for Lizzo’s tour, accused the star and her team of fostering a “racist and sexualized” work environment. She claimed that managers made offensive comments about Black women and fat-shamed employees.
Earlier this month, a California federal judge dismissed Lizzo as an individual defendant from the case, ruling that Daniels had no direct interaction with the singer. However, Lizzo’s touring company, Big Grrrl Big Touring, remains a defendant, meaning the case is far from over.
Lizzo called the dismissal “a big victory” and vowed to fight until all allegations are dropped.
“I’m continuing to fight the other claims until they’re all dismissed—not dropped, but dismissed,” she stated.
The Court Battle Continues: What’s Next for Lizzo?
The next court hearing for the dancers’ lawsuit is scheduled for January 14, 2025, as the case moves through the Court of Appeal. Lizzo remains adamant that she will be fully vindicated.
Despite the legal turmoil, Lizzo insists she’s not going anywhere. She clarified that she’s not on a career hiatus and is currently working on a new album.
“A lot of the music is me talking things through. I remembered my purpose… I’m putting everything in my art,” she said, hinting that her next project may address the controversies head-on.
Social Media Reacts: Fans Are Divided
As always, social media has had plenty to say about the drama surrounding Lizzo. Fans are divided—some standing by the singer, while others demand accountability.
Supporters say:
- “Lizzo is one of the most positive people in the industry. This is all a cash grab.”
- “I’ll stand by Lizzo until proven guilty. These dancers had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Critics argue:
- “There’s too much smoke for there not to be fire. Lizzo should take accountability.”
- “Celebrities need to learn boundaries. You can’t be everyone’s friend AND their boss.”
Lizzo’s Lesson: “Healthy Boundaries”
If there’s one takeaway from all of this for Lizzo, it’s the importance of drawing a clear line between personal and professional relationships.
“I think that this experience taught me healthy boundaries,” she admitted, suggesting that she may take a different approach to working with her team moving forward.
But despite the ongoing drama, Lizzo remains optimistic and focused on her career.
“People now will just believe anything bad about you. They can’t believe that you’re actually boring and chill and nice.”
Will Lizzo Bounce Back?
While the lawsuits are far from over, Lizzo’s resilience and confidence suggest she’s determined to come out on top. Whether the court cases will tarnish her brand permanently or be dismissed as misunderstandings remains to be seen.
One thing is certain: Lizzo isn’t backing down anytime soon.