Lizzo’s former backup dancers are sharing their reactions after the singer denied their latest allegations of sexual harassment and weight shaming. As The Shade Room beforehand reported, the three ladies filed a go well with in opposition to Lizzo, her manufacturing firm, and the singer’s dance caption earlier this week.
RELATED: WATCH: Lizzo Calls Harassment Lawsuit ‘False Allegations,’ Dancers Element Their Accusations In Video Interviews
Lizzo’s Former Backup Dancers Tackle The Singer’s Denial Of Their Accusations
The three plaintiffs of the go well with, Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez, sat down for an unique interview with Leisure Tonight Thursday afternoon. In the course of the interview, Williams defined that she feels Lizzo has “primarily” tried to gaslight the plaintiffs along with her response to their accusations.
“I feel for me; it’s simply very fascinating to be so open and real in regards to the trauma that we skilled and to be open in regards to the harm that she induced us, for her to [respond back by] primarily gaslighting us…”
Williams defined that Lizzo’s response to their accusations didn’t deal with “any” of their claims “[directly].” Nor did the singer’s response try and take accountability on any degree.
“She by no means acknowledged any of the claims [directly] that we have now introduced ahead to the desk. And so for it to be met with that, it simply type of solidifies the sample that each time we carry up a problem, each time we advocate for ourselves… we’re met with retaliation as an alternative of ‘OK, you skilled this. As an artist and what I symbolize, I don’t need you to really feel like I don’t care about you. I don’t need you to really feel like I don’t wish to embrace you. I don’t need you to really feel like I’m body-shaming you. If that is what you’re feeling, I’d utterly disagree with you however, I can at the very least attempt to hear you out to see how we will go transferring ahead.’”
Nonetheless, Williams continued by explaining that they “weren’t met with that.” Moreover, she added that she, Davis, and Rodriguez are “always being gaslit,” and Lizzo is “always deflecting.”
“So it simply additional proves our level and solidifies the claims that we’re making.”
The Plaintiffs’ Legal professional Shares His Ideas On The Singer’s Response To Their Accusations
The outlet additionally spoke with the plaintiffs’ lawyer, Ron Zambrano, who believes Lizzo’s response is “a public admission” and “failed protection.”
“A part of her assertion [was] like, ‘You understand [I’m] very open about my sexuality,’ which I assumed that was an odd factor to say if you’re speaking about allegations [concerning] such blatant sexual conduct. So it’s type of she’s [saying], ‘Pay attention, I’m sexual and I informed you about it, so you must cope with it,’ proper? It’s about her,” Zambrano informed the outlet.
Moreover, he added that — equally to Williams — that Lizzo’s response failed to point out empathy for the ladies.
“And I additionally assume it’s a failure as a result of she had the chance to be like, ‘My model is about inclusivity [and] empathy, and I empathize with these ladies’s emotions though I disagree with our variations of the identical occasion.’”
Ariana Davis then stepped in so as to add additional context to Zambrano’s sentiment.
“So think about… being put on this setting and your hero, or somebody you appeared as much as, not being who they are saying they’re however then persevering with to be checked out as this wonderful individual and understanding that it’s all performative… [it’s the] most excruciating ache to be silenced…”
Extra Particulars Concerning The Singer’s Response & The Dancers’ Lawsuit
As The Shade Room beforehand reported, on Tuesday, August 1, the three dancers filed the lawsuit in opposition to Lizzo, Massive Grrrl Massive Touring, Inc., and Lizzo’s dance captain, Shirlene Quigley.
Within the lawsuit, the group alleged that “how Lizzo and her administration group handled their performers appears to go in opposition to every little thing Lizzo stands for publicly.” Moreover, the go well with added that the singer “privately” weight shames her dancers “and demeans them in methods that aren’t solely unlawful however completely demoralizing.”
The go well with additionally included situations the place the singer allegedly pressured her dancers to the touch “nude performers” and “eat bananas protruding from the performers’ vaginas” at an Amsterdam strip membership.
“Plaintiffs have been aghast with how little regard Lizzo confirmed for the bodily autonomy of her staff and people round her, particularly within the presence of many individuals whom she employed.”
On Thursday, Lizzo took to social media to share her first public assertion in response to the allegations.
“These previous few days have been gut-wrenchingly troublesome and overwhelmingly disappointing. My work ethic, morals, and respectfulness have been questioned. My character has been criticized. Normally, I select not to answer false allegations, however these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous to not be addressed.”
The singer continued by explaining that she will not be a “villain” or “sufferer,” including that she has been “very open” along with her sexuality. Nonetheless, she won’t permit others to “use that openness” to make her “out to be one thing” she will not be.
“I’m not right here to be checked out as a sufferer, however I additionally know that I’m not the villain that individuals and the media have portrayed me to be these previous few days. I’m very open with my sexuality and expressing myself, however I can not settle for or permit folks to make use of that openness to make me out to be one thing I’m not…”
Lizzo concluded her assertion by explaining that she takes respect for different ladies “severely” and would by no means physique disgrace one other individual.
“There may be nothing I take extra severely than the respect we deserve as ladies on this planet. I do know what it feels wish to be physique shamed every day and would completely by no means criticize or terminate an worker due to their weight.”
Roomies, what do you consider this?
