Filmmaker dropped out of directing Lizzo's documentary after being treated with 'such disrespect' by singer
Anish Vij
Featured Image Credit: Michael Tullberg/Getty Images/Don Arnold/WireImage
Filmmaker Sophia Nahli Allison has told her followers that she dropped out of directing Lizzo's documentary after allegedly being 'treated with such disrespect'.
This comes after the American singer, 35, and her production company were sued by three former dancers over alleged sexual harassment and a 'hostile work environment'.
The complaint was made against Lizzo and production company Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc (BGBT) on Tuesday (1 August).
The captain of Lizzo’s dance team, Shirlene Quigley, is also named as a defendant in the lawsuit obtained by NBC in a series of allegations.
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The three former dancers claim they were subject to sexual, religious and racial harassment, disability discrimination, assault and false imprisonment, among other allegations.
On the same day the allegations were made, movie director Allison took to Instagram to claim that she dropped out of the 'Truth Hurts' singer's documentary in 2019 because she was 'treated with such disrespect'.
"I usually do not comment on anything pop culture related," Allison wrote on Instagram stories on Tuesday.
"But, in 2019, I traveled a bit with Lizzo to be the director of her documentary.
"I walked away after about two weeks. I was treated with such disrespect by her."
She also accused Lizzo of being 'arrogant, self-centered and unkind', while adding: "I was not protected and was thrown into a s**tty situation with little support.
"My spirit said to run as fast as you f**king can and I'm so grateful I trusted my gut.
"I felt gaslit and was deeply hurt, but I've healed.
"Reading these reports made me realize how dangerous of a situation it was.
"This kind of abuse of power happens far too often."
Part of the lawsuit details a trip to Amsterdam’s red light district in February 2023, in which performers were allegedly pressured to come along on nights out for fear of losing their jobs.
One visit to a club named Bananenbar allegedly resulted in performers being encouraged to touch nude performers by Lizzo.
“Plaintiffs were aghast with how little regard Lizzo showed for the bodily autonomy of her employees and those around her, especially in the presence of many people whom she employed,” the complaint read.
Lawyer Ron Zambrano said: "The stunning nature of how Lizzo and her management team treated their performers seems to go against everything Lizzo stands for publicly.
"While privately she weight-shames her dancers and demeans them in ways that are not only illegal but absolutely demoralizing."
UNILAD has contacted Lizzo's representatives and the dancers' attorney for comment.