- The lawyer for Lizzo's backup dancers called it 'shameful' the pop star was an opening act for President Joe Biden's $25 million fundraiser in New York
- Lizzo performed her hit, About Damn Time, prior to Biden and former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama taking the stage at Radio City Music Hall
- She was sued by three backup dancers in August for creating a hostile work environment, with charges relating to sexually denigrating behavior
The lawyer for Lizzo's backup dancers called it 'shameful' that she was booked to perform at Thursday night's $25 million fundraiser in New York City for President Joe Biden.
Lizzo performed her hit 'About Damn Time' ahead of Biden's appearance with former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, which was repeatedly interrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters.
The pop star was sued in August by three backup dancers - Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez - for creating a hostile work environment, which included weight shaming and sexually denigrating behavior.
'It's shameful that Lizzo would be chosen to headline an event like this amid such egregious allegations,' their lawyer Ron Zambrano told NewsNation. 'Without getting into the politics, I can't imagine why anyone would want Lizzo representing them in any way given her reprehensible behavior. It's just a terrible look.'
The lawsuit was filed against Lizzo, whose real name is Melissa Viviane Jefferson, her production company, and her dance captain Shirlene Quigley.
The salacious allegations from the dancers included that they were coerced into touching nude performers during an Amsterdam strip club visit in late February of 2023.
The pop star 'began inviting cast members to take turns touching the nude performers, catching dildos launched from the performers' vaginas, and eating bananas protruding from the performers' vaginas,' the suit said.
'Lizzo then turned her attention to Ms. Davis and began pressuring Ms. Davis to touch the breasts of one of the nude women,' it continued.
Davis also alleges she was ridiculed for being a virgin, with Quigley discussing the subject in interviews and on social media.
'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. Usually I choose not to respond to false allegations but these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous to not be addressed,' Lizzo said in a statement on Instagram several days later.
'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,' the pop star added.
Prior to filing the suit, Davis and Williams were fired, while Rodriguez quit.
Last month a judge ruled that the dancers' lawsuit could move forward, though tossed out a few charges, including the accusation that Lizzo fat-shamed one of her dancers.
Zambrano accused Lizzo of using the 'same playbook' as P. Diddy, who has been accused of a number of crimes including sexual misconduct, including rape and assault.
'History is keeping receipts and years from now, people will be ashamed that they worked with her,' the lawyer said of Lizzo. 'Lizzo's reckoning is coming. This is just the beginning of the music industry's #MeToo moment with allegations against Lizzo, Diddy and others.'
'We aim to end this misogynistic behavior across the industry and look forward to hearing from not only additional potential Lizzo plaintiffs but anyone who feels they have been wronged by other artists,' Zambrano said.
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