Grammy winner Lizzo broke her silence regarding the recent sexual harassment lawsuit filed against her by three former backup dancers.
Lizzo reacts to sexual harassment lawsuit: Here’s everything she said
In a statement shared on social media, the artist expressed her disappointment and defended her work ethic and character.
Lizzo denied the allegations and addressed the public backlash she has faced since the lawsuit surfaced.
Lizzo Denies Sensationalised Claim
In her statement, Lizzo described the past few days as “gut-wrenchingly difficult” and expressed her disappointment over the sensationalised claims made by her former employees.
She clarified that these dancers had already admitted to inappropriate and unprofessional behaviour while touring with her.
The Grammy winner emphasised that her passion for her work is accompanied by hard work and high standards.
She acknowledged that her decisions as an artist and employer might be challenging but reiterated that she never intends to make anyone feel uncomfortable or undervalued as part of her team.
“My work ethic, morals and respectfulness have been questioned. My character has been criticized. Usually I choose not to respond to false allegations but these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous to not be addressed,” she said.
Rejecting Victim Portrayal
Lizzo adamantly rejected any portrayal of herself as a victim in the situation. She urged her fans and followers to understand that she is not the villain she has been depicted as in recent days.
She emphasised her commitment to respecting women’s rights and the importance of being open about her sexuality without it being misused against her.
The artist questioned the credibility of the lawsuit and stated that she takes allegations of sexual harassment, discrimination, and a hostile work environment seriously.
However, she maintained that she would never criticise or terminate an employee based on their weight and defended her track record of supporting body positivity.
“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. There is nothing I take more seriously than the respect we deserve as women in the world,” Lizzo stressed.
Confronting Backlash
Lizzo acknowledged the support she received from those who reached out during this challenging time. She expressed her hurt over the situation but vowed not to let it overshadow the positive impact she has made in the world.
The lawsuit against Lizzo accused her of creating a hostile work environment, sexual harassment, and disability discrimination. It included claims of inappropriate outings and pressuring dancers to engage in uncomfortable activities.
Backing up the claims made in the lawsuit, Lizzo’s former creative director also supported the allegations and further criticized the artist’s behaviour.
During a tour stop in Massachusetts, Beyoncé omitted Lizzo’s name from “Break My Soul (The Queens Remix),” adding to the public backlash against Lizzo.