Controversy has erupted around American rapper Lizzo as former backup dancers file a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment and a toxic work environment. The situation has intensified with the resurfacing of a 2019 interview where Lizzo expressed excitement about attending a banana sex show in Amsterdam. The allegations against Lizzo have sparked mixed reactions online, with some criticizing her behavior and others questioning the pressure the dancers claim to have felt.
The lawsuit, filed on August 1, 2023, names Lizzo, her production company Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc. (BGBT), and Shirlene Quigley, Lizzo’s dance captain, as the defendants. The plaintiffs argue that they were coerced into engaging with nude dancers and participating in activities involving bananas during a live show in Amsterdam’s Red Light District earlier this year.
Social media platforms were flooded with reactions to Lizzo’s alleged behavior towards her backup dancers. While some condemned her actions, others expressed doubt, wondering if the controversy had been fabricated after hearing the rapper’s 2019 interview where she spoke excitedly about the banana sex show. The public response highlights a division in opinions regarding the case.
Support for the backup dancers has emerged from Lizzo’s former creative director, Quinn Whitney Wilson, and dancer Courtney Hollinquest. Ron Zambrano, the lawyer representing the plaintiffs, stated that the alleged behavior contradicts Lizzo’s public image, suggesting that she engages in weight-shaming and demeaning acts behind the scenes. Furthermore, filmmaker Sophia Nahli Allison, who previously collaborated with Lizzo, described her as arrogant, self-centered, and unkind.
As of now, Lizzo or her representatives have not issued any comments in response to the lawsuit. The ongoing legal battle places the artist under further scrutiny, raising questions about the consistency of her public persona and private conduct. It remains to be seen how the case will unfold and what impact it will have on Lizzo’s career and public image.
