Earlier this week, Lizzo was sued for sexual harassment by three of her former backup dancers, who accused the pop star of creating a hostile work environment. In the days that followed, at least three other former employees — filmmaker Sophie Nahli Allison, dancer Courtney Hollinquest and creative director Quinn Wilson — have expressed their support for the lawsuit as reflective of their experience working for the artist.
Lizzo has now broken her silence on the "outrageous" allegations, taking to Instagram this morning to issue a lengthy statement denying the "sensationalized stories" that plaintiffs Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez cite in the filing. She also noted that the former dancers have "already publicly admitted that they had been told their behaviour on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional."
"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," the pop star wrote. "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. 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."
She added, "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. I'm hurt but I will not let the good work I've done in the world be overshadowed by this."
See the artist's statement in full below.
Lizzo has now broken her silence on the "outrageous" allegations, taking to Instagram this morning to issue a lengthy statement denying the "sensationalized stories" that plaintiffs Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez cite in the filing. She also noted that the former dancers have "already publicly admitted that they had been told their behaviour on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional."
"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," the pop star wrote. "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. 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."
She added, "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. I'm hurt but I will not let the good work I've done in the world be overshadowed by this."
See the artist's statement in full below.