If you've spent any time online at all over the past few days, we're sure you've heard about the troubling allegations that have been aimed at singer/rapper/actress Lizzo and her production company by three of her former dancers Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez.
Lizzo, who recently appeared in a season 3 episode of The Mandalorian, has been accursed of some pretty appalling behaviour, including sexual, religious and racial harassment, disability discrimination, assault and false imprisonment.
In a statement shared with Variety, the dancers’ attorney Ron Zambrano, pointed out “the stunning nature of how Lizzo and her management team treated their performers” for seemingly going “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.”
Now, the best-selling recording artist - real name Melissa Viviane Jefferson - has issued a statement, calling the allegations against her "unbelievable" and "too outrageous not to be addressed."
“These last few days have been gut wrenchingly difficult and overwhelmingly disappointing. My work ethic, morals and respectfulness have been questioned. My character has been criticized,” Lizzo posted to her Instagram. “Usually I choose not to respond to false allegations but these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous to not be addressed. These sensationalized stories are coming from former employees who have already publicly admitted that they were told their behavior on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional.”
“As an artist I have always been very passionate about what I do. I take my music and my performances seriously because at the end of the day I only want to put out the best art that represents me and my fans. With passion comes hard work and high standards. Sometimes I have to make hard decisions but it’s never been my intention to make anyone feel uncomfortable or like they aren’t valued as an important part of the team.”
Lizzo concluded by saying that while she does not want to be perceived as a victim in the situation, she is “not the villain.”
“I am not here to be looked at as a victim, but I also know that I am not the villain that people and the media have portrayed me to be these last few days. 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. I know what it feels like to be body shamed on a daily basis and would absolutely never criticize or terminate an employee because of their weight. I’m hurt but I will not let the good work I’ve done in the world be overshadowed by this. I want to thank everyone who has reached out in support to lift me up during this difficult time.”
Lizzo's response is hardly surprising, but it is worth noting that others have since weighed in with their negative experiences working with the singer, including Oscar-nominee Sophia Nahli Allison, who exited her role as the director of a Lizzo documentary in 2019 after only two weeks because she “was treated with such disrespect.”