(Reuters) – Grammy-winning singer Lizzo on Thursday denied claims made in a lawsuit brought by three of her former dancers that she had created a hostile work environment by engaging in derogatory behavior and body shaming, calling the allegations ” false” and “outrageous”.”
Lizzo’s comment on social media platform X comes two days after the dancers filed suit in Los Angeles County Superior Court. It alleges harassment based on gender, religion, race and disability.
In addition to Lizzo, whose hit singles include “Juice” and “Truth Hurts,” the lawsuit names her production company Big Grrrl Big Touring Inc and Shirlene Quigley, the captain of her dance team, as defendants.
The singer, whose real name is Melissa Viviane Jefferson, said the allegations were made by three former employees who were told their behavior was inappropriate and unprofessional before they left Lizzo’s employment.
“Usually I choose not to respond to false allegations, but these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous not to raise,” she wrote, calling the past few days “heartbreakingly difficult.”
The accusers – Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez – claimed to have been forced to touch naked performers in an Amsterdam strip club at the end of February.
The lawsuit also alleges that Davis was pressured to participate in a nude photo shoot in order to stay in a dance competition despite her discomfort. She claimed she feared losing her job if she did not comply with Lizzo’s alleged requests.
“I’m very open with my sexuality and expressing myself, but I can’t accept or allow people to use that openness to make me look like something I’m not,” Lizzo wrote.
Plaintiffs’ attorney Ron Zambrano said in a statement that Lizzo had attempted to shame her dancers for their weight and humiliate them in ways that are illegal and demoralizing. Lizzo responded by saying she knows what it’s like to be body-shamed and she would never fire an employee because of their weight.
The lawsuit also alleges that Quigley harassed the dancers by subjecting them to her religious beliefs against their will.
Prosecutors also alleged that Quigley forced the subject of Davis’s virginity into conversations and interviews. The lawsuit alleges that she disclosed personal information about Davis on social media without her consent.
Quigley representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Davis and Williams were eventually fired, while Rodriguez resigned over the conduct, the lawsuit said.
(Reporting by Brendan O’Brien in Chicago; editing by Matthew Lewis)
