Lizzo says music festival guard 'attacked' her team: ‘Racism and bigotry don’t care if you’re a headliner’
Lizzo might be one of the biggest stars in the music scene right now, but she tells fans that “racism and bigotry don’t care if you’re a headliner” after a venue’s security allegedly attacked her staff at a festival.
The “Truth Hurts” singer took to Twitter after her Summerfest performance on Thursday night to ask if anybody who attended the Milwaukee, Wis. music festival had footage of the security guard who she says “tackled and attacked my team.”
“They slapped and manhandled my hair stylist and stylist and Im [sic] out for blood,” she wrote in one tweet, before writing in another, “We will be filing a complaint against that bigoted ‘security’ guard.”
DID ANYBODY GET FOOTAGE OF THE SECURITY GUARD THAT TACKLED AND ATTACKED MY TEAM @SUMMERFEST ?!
THEY SLAPPED AND MANHANDLED MY HAIR STYLIST AND STYLIST AND IM OUT FOR BLOOD— |L I Z Z O| (@lizzo) June 28, 2019
Tonight was beautiful. You are beautiful. But the struggle ain’t over. Racism and bigotry don’t care if you’re a headliner. Thank you @summerfest. We will be filing a complaint against that bigoted “security” guard and I hope you’ll be cooperative in seeking justice. 🤘🏾xoxo pic.twitter.com/bt3J5Cy1AS
— |L I Z Z O| (@lizzo) June 28, 2019
Summerfest quickly responded to the claims on its Twitter account, writing, “We do not tolerate racism in any form.” Through the account, the Summerfest team also assured that they will be conducting a thorough investigation in order to take appropriate action.
1/2 Lizzo gave an incredible performance which she now feels is tarnished by events which occurred during the performance. We do not tolerate racism in any form. We will conduct a thorough investigation.
— Summerfest (@Summerfest) June 28, 2019
2/2 We have an experienced crowd management staff who strive to protect performers & fans. While there may be challenges during a performance, we expect those challenges to be handled professionally & respectfully. If those standards were not met, we will take appropriate action.
— Summerfest (@Summerfest) June 28, 2019
Representatives of the music festival didn’t immediately respond to Yahoo Lifestyle’s request for additional information or an update on that investigation. Lizzo, however, thanked fans for their support.
I'm so sorry your team was treated like this. Milwaukee was lucky to have you last night, you were amazing. 😍
— Mrmaybe (@Mrmaybe14) June 28, 2019
You were amazing i’m sorry you had to deal with something so ignorant right after such a beautiful set.
— T (@hellataylor) June 28, 2019
Your team deserve justice, compensation and a personal apology!
— Avery Enbe Bincho ⚪️💛💜🖤🏳️🌈 (@AHouseofBirds) June 28, 2019
The singer provided an additional statement about the nature of the incident after some people questioned if it was actually racist.
Friendly reminder that you don’t have to say the ‘n word’ to be racist. That’s not the sole requirement. Asking people to prove racism is another tool the oppressor uses to marginalize and discredit us.
— |L I Z Z O| (@lizzo) June 28, 2019
Still, Lizzo said that it was “the best show ever,” although the incident kept her from properly celebrating.
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