Three of Lizzo’s former stage dancers have filed a lawsuit against the pop star, accusing her of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleges that Lizzo subjected the dancers to various forms of harassment, including sexual, racial, and religious harassment.
The plaintiffs claim that Lizzo pressured one dancer to touch a nude performer at a club in Amsterdam and subjected the group to an “excruciating” audition after making false accusations that they drank while working. The lawsuit also accuses Lizzo’s dance captain, Shirlene Quigley, of pushing her Christian beliefs on other performers and denigrating those who engaged in premarital sex.
The lawsuit does not specify whether Lizzo was aware of Quigley’s alleged behavior, but the plaintiffs believe she was aware of complaints against Quigley. The suit names Lizzo, her production company, and Quigley as defendants and includes claims of sexual harassment, creation of a hostile work environment, false imprisonment, and interference with prospective economic advantage.
The plaintiffs’ lawyer, Ron Zambrano, stated that the way Lizzo and her management team treated their performers contradicts the image of body positivity and self-love that Lizzo promotes publicly. Zambrano described the alleged behavior as not only illegal but also demoralizing.
Lizzo’s representatives have not yet responded to the lawsuit. The singer has been on tour for the majority of 2023, with performances in North America, Europe, Oceania, and Asia.