When Lizzo was sued for sexual harassment by three of her former dancers at the beginning of the month, it appeared that Beyoncé was trying to release herself from the controversy by immediately removing Lizzo's name from her live performances of "Break My Soul (The Queens Remix)" amid the RENAISSANCE world tour.
Now, Bey has re-inserted the "Truth Hurts" singer into the list of legendary Black women in music — including her sister Solange, Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, Janet Jackson and Bessie Smith — while playing her final of three shows in Atlanta last night (August 14) and voiced her support for Lizzo.
During her third performance at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Beyoncé not only slotted Lizzo's name back in amongst the iconic company, but expressed her love for the artist in the throes of legal drama. "I love you, Lizzo!" she proclaimed mid-song.
Now, Bey has re-inserted the "Truth Hurts" singer into the list of legendary Black women in music — including her sister Solange, Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, Janet Jackson and Bessie Smith — while playing her final of three shows in Atlanta last night (August 14) and voiced her support for Lizzo.
During her third performance at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Beyoncé not only slotted Lizzo's name back in amongst the iconic company, but expressed her love for the artist in the throes of legal drama. "I love you, Lizzo!" she proclaimed mid-song.
It's been just over two weeks since former Lizzo backup dancers Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez sued the pop star for sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment. Lizzo called the allegations "outrageous" and the dancers' stories "sensationalized." 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."
Other former employees (including filmmaker Sophia Nahli Allison, dancer Courtney Hollinquest and creative director Quinn Wilson) of the musician expressed their support for the lawsuit. Most recently, the plaintiffs' legal team alleged that they are vetting at least six additional people once employed by Lizzo who have come forward "with similar stories." JAY-Z's Made in America festival, which Lizzo was supposed to headline in September, was also cancelled due to "severe circumstances outside of production control."
While Beyoncé omitted Lizzo's name during her August 1 — the same day the lawsuit was filed — show in Massachusetts, according to Billboard, she reportedly put her name back into the lyrics a week later on August 7 in Maryland. Bey's mother, Tina Knowles, also said the apparent shading was not done purposefully, noting that Kelly Rowland's name was also left out on that particular night. Fans have likewise pointed out that not every name in the remix makes it into every performance.
