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Three of Lizzo’s former backup dancers filed a workplace harassment lawsuit towards the musician — and they’re ready to take their criticism to trial.
“We by no means know. Most instances do settle, however that is one I can simply see going to trial, as a result of typically entertainers, whether or not it’s simply denial or narcissism, they’re unwilling to simply accept that they perhaps have performed one thing flawed,” legal professional Neama Rahmani completely advised Us Weekly on Wednesday, August 2. “So we’ll see [if] Lizzo comes out and denies all this and digs in [her] heels, then we’re gonna litigate this case and we’re gonna go to trial. Or does she come out and concern some form of apology for a way [she] and her administration acted in direction of these girls? Then, perhaps there’s gonna be a decision potential. The ball’s in Lizzo’s courtroom now, and we’ll see what she and her legal professionals do, and that’ll actually decide whether or not this case will get litigated or tried.”
Us confirmed on Tuesday, August 1, that three of the 35-year-old Grammy winner’s backup dancers — Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez — filed a lawsuit towards Lizzo after allegedly experiencing a hostile work environment, spiritual harassment, incapacity discrimination and sexual harassment. The trio are represented by Rahmani’s agency, West Coast Trial Legal professionals.
“For me, the most shocking allegations relate to the sexual harassment. You’re speaking about intercourse reveals and dildos and bananas and dildos and vaginas and bananas and vaginas. I imply, you’ve a male worker’s bare [and] he’s being whipped by a feminine performer who’s additionally bare,” Rahmani advised Us of the criticism. “You will have, one among our shoppers, Arianna, who’s compelled to the touch one of many new dancers. So that is simply utterly inappropriate in any office, however for Lizzo to basically compel [her] workers to take part in one of these exercise, it’s illegal.”
He added: “The rationale sexual harassment legal guidelines exist is to guard workers as a result of there’s such a disparity in energy. So I can’t be a creepy boss and, as an illustration, ask one among my workers on a date as a result of what? That worker could also be compelled to say sure. You possibly can’t say no to your boss since you’re anxious about getting fired.”
Lizzo broke her silence on the lawsuit one day later, categorically denying the claims as “false,” “unbelievable” and “too outrageous to not be addressed.”
“There’s nothing I take extra significantly than the respect we deserve as girls on the planet,” Lizzo wrote by way of her Instagram on Thursday, August 3. “I do know what it feels prefer to be body-shamed every day and would completely by no means criticize or terminate an worker due to their weight. I’m damage however I can’t let the nice work I’ve performed on the planet be overshadowed by this.”
Rahmani advised Us that how Lizzo addressed the allegations, which he anticipated to incorporate a full denial, would impression his crew’s authorized technique transferring ahead. After Lizzo launched her assertion on Thursday, Rahmani’s colleague legal professional Ron Zambrano slammed her response.
“Lizzo has failed her own brand and has let down her fans. Her denial of this reprehensible conduct solely provides to our shoppers’ emotional misery,” Zambrano mentioned in a Thursday assertion. “The dismissive feedback and utter lack of empathy are fairly telling about her character and solely serve to reduce the trauma she has brought about the plaintiffs and different workers who’ve now come ahead sharing their very own unfavorable experiences.”
Zambrano continued: “Whereas Lizzo notes it was by no means her intention ‘to make anybody really feel uncomfortable,’ that’s precisely what she did to the purpose of demoralizing her dancers and flagrantly violating the regulation.”
Rahmani additional famous that the dancers are “devastated” that Lizzo’s on-camera persona is just not the identical behind the scenes. “They thought the Lizzo that you just see on TV and the Lizzo that’s on when the cameras are rolling can be the identical Lizzo and would deal with them pretty, however sadly it simply wasn’t the case,” he famous on Wednesday.
Whereas Davis, Williams and Rodriguez are upset about dropping their “dream jobs” and allegedly experiencing traumatic occasions, Rahmani mentioned they’re “feeling higher” now that different people have come ahead with related tales.
“There’s actually power in numbers and, , just like the Me Too movement that basically addressed wealthy and highly effective males, these aren’t the one folks that may harass or discriminate towards younger girls, particularly the younger girls of colour who actually had been able the place their boss was discriminating towards their medical situation and forcing their spiritual beliefs on them,” Rahmani advised Us. “There are racial points and, in fact, the sexual harassment. They’re past devastated. They misplaced their job, one thing that was their dream job, and I’m actually attempting to choose the items up proper now.”
Us Weekly has reached Lizzo for remark.
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With reporting by Christina Garibaldi
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