Lizzo’s legal team is working to prevent a harassment lawsuit from proceeding to court.
In September, fashion designer Asha Daniels, who collaborated on-stage costumes for Lizzo and was part of her tour, made serious allegations about a “sexually charged and unsafe work culture” involving Lizzo and others. Daniels, in an NBC News interview, claimed to witness regular harassment and intimidation towards dancers, vocalists, and the local team in each city.
The most severe accusations were directed at several team members, including a wardrobe manager accused of performing a “stereotypical imitation of a loud black woman” and using threatening and derogatory language. Another manager faced charges of sending sexually explicit material to a group chat. Daniels alleged that hiring sex workers, engaging in lascivious acts, and buying hard drugs were openly discussed. Daniels’s lawyer argued that Lizzo, as the leader, shared responsibility.
A spokesperson for Lizzo dismissed the lawsuit as an “absurd and false publicity stunt.” They claimed Daniels never met Lizzo in person or spoke to her.
Lizzo’s lawyers seek the dismissal of the lawsuit, arguing that it cannot be filed in California as Daniels is a resident of New York and was hired by a Delaware-based company. They also contend that the harassment lawsuit against Lizzo lacks merit, describing Daniels as a “disgruntled” former employee who refused to follow instructions and eventually quit.
Lizzo’s team asserts that Daniels was fired after missing a concert day. Daniels, on the other hand, claimed she was terminated on the same day she took a break due to an allergic reaction. She maintained she was fired for previously raising complaints about alleged harassment.
In response to the new motion, Daniels’s lawyer accused Lizzo’s team of trying to “blame the victims.” They expressed their commitment to seeking justice and emphasized their eagerness to confront Lizzo in court to explain her behavior. A decision on the viability of Daniels’s lawsuit has not been made.
Lizzo also faces another previously filed lawsuit by three backup dancers making similar allegations, including pressure to participate in sexually explicit situations. Complaints also included “painful” audition processes and comments about the weight of the dancers.
In October, Lizzo’s lawyers filed a motion to dismiss that lawsuit, which is still pending a decision. Amidst the allegations, Lizzo has asserted that these stories come from former employees whose inappropriate and unprofessional behavior on the tour had already been addressed.
