Pop star Lizzo is heading to court. A judge denied her attempt to dismiss a lawsuit. The lawsuit was filed by three of her former backup dancers. They accused her of various forms of harassment and discrimination.
A lawsuit was filed on August 2, 2023, in the Los Angeles Superior Court. It alleges that Lizzo subjected the dancers – Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez – to sexual, religious, and racial harassment. They also faced discrimination, assault, false imprisonment, and a hostile work environment during their employment with her.
The complaint says the dancers claim they endured a few incidents. These include being pressured by Lizzo to attend sex shows and interact with the performers. They also have been fat-shamed by Lizzo and her entourage. The complaint says the incidents include being forced to listen to Lizzo’s Christian preaching and prayers.
Lizzo has not publicly commented on the lawsuit or the allegations. She filed a motion to dismiss the case under California’s anti-SLAPP statute. This law protects the right to free speech from frivolous lawsuits. Lizzo argued that the dancers were trying to silence her artistic expression and personal opinions.
However, on February 2, 2024, Judge Mark H. Epstein rejected Lizzo’s motion. He ruled that some of the allegations could constitute illegal discrimination based on sex, religion, and race and that they should be tested in court. The judge also noted that the First Amendment did not protect Lizzo’s speech when it involved her employees.
The judge did, however, dismiss some of the claims. These included the disability discrimination claim based on weight shaming and the false imprisonment claim based on Lizzo allegedly locking the dancers in a hotel room. The judge found that these claims were either not sufficiently supported by evidence or not actionable under the law.
The case is still pending and has not yet reached a trial date. The dancers seek unspecified damages and injunctive relief for the harm they claim to have suffered. They are also asking for a court order. This order will prevent Lizzo from engaging in further harassment and discrimination.
