Lizzo denies ‘each and every allegation’ from former dancers amid lawsuit
This new development could mean Lizzo faces a jury trial
Lizzo has denied ‘each and every allegation’ from her three former dancers amid lawsuit battle.
The ‘Truth Hurts’ singer has now asked a judge to dismiss the lawsuit, which accuses her of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment.
Filed in a Los Angeles court in August, Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez accused Lizzo and her touring company of several allegations.
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The dancers claims include accusing the star of ‘fat-shaming’, Lizzo pressuring them to touch a nude performer at an Amsterdam sex show, and false imprisonment.
Also in the lawsuit is the claim the 35-year-old made dancers go through an ‘excruciating’ 12-hour ‘re-audition’ without bathroom breaks.
Dance captain, Shirlene Quigley, was also named as defendant in the suit.
After consistently denying the claims, Lizzo and her Big Grrrl Big Touring company are requesting the court dismiss the case with prejudice – this would mean it cannot be refiled.
In this request, Lizzo's legal team further deny 'each and every allegation'.
But if the court does not throw the case out, the dancers are requesting a jury trial.
Spokesperson for the singer, Stefan Friedman, said in a statement this was 'the first step' of a legal process and that Lizzo and her team 'will demonstrate that they have always practised what they've preached - whether it comes to promoting body positivity, leading a safe and supportive workplace or protecting individuals from any kind of harassment.'
The ‘About Damn Time’ singer's, whose real name is Melissa Jefferson, legal team lodged the 31-point rebuttal on Wednesday (27 September).
As reported by the BBC, this includes Lizzo’s team saying that the dancers’ claims relate to the star’s rights of free speech and/or religion and are therefore barred.
It also says that those who filed the complaint ‘ratified, acquiesced, condoned and/or approval of the acts’ they were now complaining about.
Plus, it claims that the dancers ‘have failed to plead and cannot establish facts sufficient to support allegations of malice, oppression or fraud’.
Lizzo has denied the dancers’ claims since they were made, releasing the following statement at the time: “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.
"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."
In response to this new development from Lizzo’s team, the dancers’ lawyer, Neama Rahmani said, as per BBC, that it ‘merely consists of boilerplate objections that have nothing to do with the case’.
He added: “That said, the key takeaway is that Lizzo is agreeing to our clients' demand for a jury trial.”
Jess Battison