Lizzo’s legal team issued a response to a lawsuit filed by her former backup dancers last month detailing allegations of sexual, racial and religious harassment, including allegations that the singer’s weight embarrassed her.
In a court filing obtained by Time Now on Wednesday, lawyers for Lizzo and her tour company denied the allegations made by plaintiffs Crystal Williams, Arianna Davis and Noelle Rodriguez against Lizzo, whose real name is Melissa Jefferson Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc. shall. Team captain.
Lizzo’s lawyers asked the judge to dismiss the case and generally and specifically reject all the allegations contained in the complaint, the lawsuit says. They also deny that the dancers suffered an injury or loss as a result of an act or omission of the defendants.
Stefan Friedman, a spokesman for Lizzo, said in a statement to USA TODAY: This is the first step in a legal proceeding in which Lizzo and her team will demonstrate that they have always practiced what they preach – be it in terms of promoting body positivity, running a safe and supportive workplace, or protecting individuals from any kind of harassment.
Any claim to the contrary is ridiculous and we hope to be able to prove this in court.
A lawyer for the dancers, Neama Rahmani, responded to Lizzo’s request in a statement on Thursday, saying it consisted only of standardized objections that had nothing to do with the case.
But the most important thing is that Lizzo agrees to our clients’ demand for a court case, Rahmani said. We look forward to presenting our case in court and letting a panel of your colleagues decide who is telling the truth.
Lizzo previously denied the accusations of her former dancers
Lizzo has previously denied the dancers’ accusations on social media, writing in an Instagram post on August 3 that they are as incredible as they look and too outrageous not to address. She said the allegations came from former employees who had already publicly admitted that they had been told their behaviour during the tour was inappropriate and unprofessional.
She added: I know what it’s like to feel ashamed on a daily basis and would never criticize or fire an employee because of their weight.
Since then, a second lawsuit has been filed by Rahmani’s law firm against Lizzo on behalf of the former wardrobe designer from her tour. In the lawsuit, stylist Asha Daniels, who designed tailor-made pieces for Lizzo’s dancers last year, accused the singer and the people who collaborated on Lizzo’s The Special Tour of sexual and racial harassment, discrimination against disabilities and creating a hostile work environment.
Lizzo spoke publicly for the first time last week at the Black Music Action Coalition gala, which took place hours after the second lawsuit was filed.
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I needed it now. God’s time has come at the right time, Lizzo told the crowd on September 21, alluding to the lawsuits. I didn’t write a speech because in times like these I don’t know what to say.