American rapper Lizzo asked a judge to dismiss the lawsuit filed by three of his former dancers for “sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment” and her legal spokesperson assured that the singer always “promoted a safe and supportive workplace,” the international press reported.
“This is the first step in a legal process in which Lizzo and her team will demonstrate that they have always practiced what they have preached, whether it is promoting body positivity, leading a safe and supportive workplace or protecting people from any kind of assault or harassment,” said a legal spokesperson for the singer in a statement reported by the Variety portal.
In this context, he reaffirmed that “any and all claims to the contrary are ridiculous”and expressed his confidence in being able to prove it “in a court of law.”
The complaint against Lizzo
Last August, three dancers who were part of the show Lizzo They claimed before the Los Angeles Superior Court that they were sexually harassed, discriminated against because of their skin color and endured a “hostile work environment.”
Over there, Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodríguez They presented evidence of the bad relationship they had with Lizzo and his producer Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc. and Shirlene Quigleycaptain of the dance team, and reported that they were forced to attend and also participate in various sexual shows while they were on tour with the singer who performs the song “Pink” in the film “Barbie.”
“Plaintiffs also suffered severe emotional distress, anxiety, pain and suffering, physical injuries, physical illness, medical expenses, future medical expenses, attorneys’ fees, and other damages to be determined at trial based on evidence,” the lawsuit filed states. by those who legally sponsor the dancers.
In addition, they accused the interpreter of the hits “2 Be Loved (Am I Ready)”, “About Damn Time” and “Truth Hurts” of calling only African-American dancers “lazy, unprofessional and people with bad intentions”, criticism that was never directed at Caucasian members of the cast.
One of the most striking details of the lawsuit alleges that dancers were pressured to touch naked male dancers during a live sex show in Amsterdam’s Red Light District.
In the documents made yesterday by her lawyers, they affirm that the singer and her tour company Big Grrrl they deny “each and every accusation” in the lawsuit and ask that it be dismissed “in its entirety with prejudice.” There, it lists more than 30 “affirmative defenses,” explaining that “there was no injury, loss or damage to plaintiffs.”
For her part, the lawyer Neama Rahmani, which represents the plaintiffs. dismissed the response, responding: “The key takeaway is that Lizzo agrees to our clients’ demand for a jury trial. We look forward to presenting our case in court and letting a panel of their peers decide who is telling the truth, Lizzo and her team that continue to shame the victims, or the plaintiffs and so many others who have come forward sharing similar stories of abuse and harassment.”
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
