Earlier today a damning report of employee abuse within the Lizzo camp was published by NBC and now more former employees are coming forward.
According to the lawsuit obtained by Yahoo Entertainment one woman claimed she was weight-shamed by the Grammy-winning singer.
Two allege they were pressured into nude photo shoots. One woman claimed to be nearly assaulted by Lizzo.
The complaint was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court against Lizzo (born Melissa Viviane Jefferson), her production company, Big Grrrl Big Touring Inc. (BGBT), and Shirlene Quigley, the captain of Lizzo’s dance team.
In various allegations by the defendants, they claim sexual and racial harassment, disability discrimination, assault and false imprisonment.
“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 demoralizing,” attorney Ron Zambrano, a partner and employment litigation chair at West Coast Employment Lawyers, says in a statement on behalf of the three women.
On Instagram Courtney Hollinquest and Quinn Wilson both came forward lend their support for the ‘brave’ women who filed the suit.
Courtney wrote:
For clarification I’m not a part of the lawsuit – but this was very much my experience in my time there. Big shout out to the dancers who had the courage to bring this to light.
Quinn said:
Echoing what @cquestt said. I haven’t been a part of that world for around three years for a reason. I very much applaud the dancers courage to bring this to light. And I grieve parts of my own experience. Ide appreciate space to understand my feelings.
The three women are seeking an unspecified amount in damages and have requested a jury trial.
Lizzo has not commented.