Lizzo accused of creating hostile work environment

AFP

Three former dancers for Grammy-winning singer Lizzo accused her of creating a hostile work environment, including weight shaming, in a lawsuit released on Tuesday.

The lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court named Lizzo, whose real name is Melissa Viviane Jefferson, her production company Big Grrrl Big Touring Inc and the captain of her dance team, Shirlene Quigley, court documents showed.

A representative for Lizzo did not respond to a request for comment.

The complaints filed by plaintiffs Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez include harassment based on sex, religion, race and disability.

In the lawsuit, the dancers claimed they were coerced into touching performers at an Amsterdam club in late February.

The suit also stated that Davis was pressured to participate in a photoshoot to stay in a dance competition despite her discomfort. She claimed she feared losing her job if she didn't comply with Lizzo's requests.

“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 not only illegal but absolutely demoralising,” the plaintiffs’ attorney, Ron Zambrano, said in a statement.

The lawsuit alleged that Quigley harassed the dancers by subjecting them to her religious beliefs against their will.

Davis and Williams were eventually fired while Rodriguez resigned over the behaviour, the lawsuit said.

More from Entertainment

Coming Up on Dubai Eye

  • Extra Time

    7:00pm - 10:00pm

    Chris & Robbie bring you the latest from the sporting world plus interviews with upcoming and legendary sporting stars.

  • Nights on Dubai Eye 103.8

    10:00pm - 11:00pm

    Dubai Eye complements the conversation with the music you love from the eighties, nineties and newer.

BUSINESS BREAKFAST LATEST

On Dubai Eye

  • Flying Taxis

    It sounds like an episode of The Jetsons, but the sight of flying taxis whizzing around our cities could be much closer than you think.

  • Tough penalties for deliberate tax evasion

    The UAE has said that tougher penalties will come into force from 1st August for not keeping proper corporate tax records.