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Sunday December 22, 2024

Lizzo's ex backup dancers double down on explosive allegations

Lizzo's backup dancers claimed that she mistreated them to the point that it crossed boundaries

By Web Desk
August 10, 2023
Lizzo was accused of creating a toxic work environment by three of her backup dancers
Lizzo was accused of creating a toxic work environment by three of her backup dancers

Lizzo's backup dancers Crystal Williams, Arianna Davis and Noelle Rodriguez remain adamant in their allegations against the singer.

Speaking to People, Williams doubled down on the accusations and insisted that the trio of dancers all had similar experiences of being mistreated and that they had no intentions of backing down.

"We were treated poorly. Nobody did anything about it when we tried to speak up and advocate for ourselves. So now we're doing it," Williams told the publication.

Williams added that she felt a sense of relief since the suit became public and similar allegations came to light.

"I know that my mind feels a lot clearer. There was a lot of anxiety and a lot of feelings of being overwhelmed once our suit was made public. But today, I feel very proud to be pursuing this with these ladies."

For the unversed, the trio of dancers alleged that that they faced violations that ranged from body shaming, sexual, religious and racial harassment.

"[Those accusations] only came after [the] dance cast, that was predominantly either Black women or women of color, started advocating for themselves and asking for better treatment and to be paid what we deserve on the job," Williams said.

Rodriguez added: "And I really feel like that never applied to me because I voluntarily left on my own terms. I was so disgusted by the treatment that I saw."

The Truth Hurts has long championed for positivity, but Rodriguez alleged that she was fired in May 2023 for what she claimed was due to weight gain.

"They took a concern, but kind of a fake concern under the guise of, 'What's wrong with you? You're different,'" Rodriguez said. 

"I think an important thing to note as far as the body shaming and stuff is that if it were never an issue, why was it brought up in a meeting by Lizzo that people get fired for gaining weight? I would never think of hearing a statement like from her or even being a reason for firing somebody."

Following the allegation, Lizzo took to social media to state that the allegations were false.

"My work ethic, morals and respectfulness have been questioned. My character has been criticized," wrote Lizzo. 

"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."