U.S. performer Lizzo has been sued by three of her former dancers who allege the body-positive pop diva created a hostile work setting, court docket filings seen by AFP present.
The swimsuit filed in Los Angeles accuses Lizzo, whose self-love message has resonated across the globe, in addition to different defendants of assorted violations of California labor regulation.
“Plaintiffs Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez allege sexual, religious and racial harassment, disability discrimination, assault and false imprisonment, among other things,” the regulation agency representing them stated in an announcement.
“Davis and Williams were eventually fired while Rodriguez resigned over the appalling behavior,” it added.
One of the allegations facilities round an Amsterdam red-light district intercourse present which the dancers say they felt pressured to attend. At the present Lizzo pressured her dancers to work together with the nude performers, the swimsuit alleges.
It additionally alleges that Lizzo’s dance chief, Shirlene Quigley, regularly made sexual feedback and proselytized her Christian beliefs, particularly in opposition to pre-marital intercourse, “regardless of protestations.”
The dancers additionally say that there was an prolonged dispute over compensation between legs of Lizzo’s international tour.
The lawsuit alleges that white managers from Lizzo’s manufacturing firm, Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc. (BGBT), which was additionally named within the criticism, “often accused the Black members of the dance team of being lazy, unprofessional, and having bad attitudes.”
“Not only do these words ring familiar as tropes used to disparage and discourage Black women from advocating for themselves, but the same accusations were not levied against dancers who are not Black,” in accordance with the criticism cited within the assertion.
“Only the dance cast – comprised of full-figured women of color – were ever spoken to in this manner, giving Plaintiffs the impression that these comments were charged with racial and fat-phobic animus,” it added.
Representatives for Lizzo didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
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