Lizzo responds to 'wrenchingly difficult' body shaming allegations: What we know so far

Lizzo has responded to allegations of sexual assault and body shaming made towards her by her former dancers.

Earlier this week, a lawsuit was filed against the 35-year-old singer, her dance captain and her production company Big Grrrl Big Touring (BGBT) by plaintiffs Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez.

In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs alleged that they were fired for gaining weight, and forced to touch a performer’s breast among other things.

Lizzo allegations: Read more

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• Lizzo: The poster girl for body positivity, whose empowering image is now under threat - The Independent, 7-min read

• Beyoncé’s mother addresses speculation singer changed lyrics in response to Lizzo lawsuit - The Independent - 2 min read

In a response posted to her social media, Lizzo said: "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 criticised.

"Usually I choose not to response to false allegations but these are as unbelievable as they sound and are too outrageous not to be addressed."

In four pages of notes, the ‘About Damn Time’ singer went on to call the claims "sensationalised" and said the former employees were previously told that their behaviour on tour was "inappropriate and unprofessional".

She also said that she knows what it’s like to be body shamed and would "never criticise or terminate an employee because of their weight".

Lizzo and body positivity

Lizzo has been a face of the body positivity movement since she rose to fame, regularly commenting on how she loves her body and is "creating her own beauty standard".

"I think I have a really hot body! I'm a body icon, and I'm embracing that more and more every day," Lizzo told People in 2022.

"What I'm doing is stepping into my confidence and my power to create my own beauty standard. And one day that will just be the standard."

The singer previously told Vogue that she hopes to be the blueprint for "big girls that are brown and Black and want to sing".

"I didn’t have enough women to look up to and they weren’t given enough space in the industry to carve out a lane for big girls that are brown and Black and want to sing and dance without getting sh*t talked and body shamed," she said.

"I’m out here and I set my mind to it. I want to be a sex symbol and music goddess and I’m out here trying to make that happen for myself. I’m here for the fantasy but I want to be a part of that fantasy. I’m just as fine as those girls."

Who is Lizzo?

Lizzo, real name Melissa Viviane Jefferson, is an American singer who achieved mainstream success in 2019 after the release of her third studio album, Cuz I Love You, that featured hit songs like 'Juice' and 'Truth Hurts'.

She has since won several Grammys, including Record of the Year in 2023 and Best Pop Solo Performance in 2020.

What has Lizzo been accused of?

Lizzo has been accused by three of her former dancers of sexual harassment and body shaming, and her production company has been accused of racial discrimination.

The dancers say they were pressured to attend sex shows between 2021 and 2023, and that Lizzo "pressured Ms Davis to touch the breasts" or a performer at a nightclub in Amsterdam. Davis said that she "feared it may harm her future on the team" if she did not do so.

Lizzo is accused of fat-shaming Davis on tour. Davis adds that it was never explicitly stated, but she was asked questions that "gave Ms Davis the impression that she needed to explain her weight gain and disclose intimate personal details about her life in order to keep her job".

The plaintiffs also allege that they were not paid fairly by the production company while on parts of Lizzo's European tour.

Watch: Lizzo says 'I am not the villain' over sexual harassment allegations by former dance troupe members

Lizzo's response to the allegations

Lizzo has called the allegations "unbelievable", "outrageous" and "sensationalised".

In several notes posted on Thursday morning, the singer wrote: "As an artist I have always been very passionate about what I do. I take my music and my performances seriously because at the end of the day I only want to put out the best art that represents me and my fans.

"With passion comes hard work and high standards. Sometimes I have to make hard decisions but it's never my intention to make anyone feel uncomfortable or like they aren't valued as an important part of the team."

Lizzo added that she hasn't intended for her statement to make it seem as if she is the victim, but that she also knows "I am not the villain".

"I am very open with my sexuality and expressing myself but I cannot accept or allow people to use that openness to make me out to be something I am not," she continued.

"There is nothing I take more seriously than the respect we deserve as woman in the world. I know what it feels like to be body shamed on a daily basis and would never criticise or terminate an employee because of their weight."

She finished her statement by thanking her fans, friends, and family for supporting her.

"I'm hurt but I will not let the good work I've done in the world be overshadowed by this," she added. "I want to thank everyone who has reached out in support to lift me up during this difficult time."