Lizzo has said “I’m not the villain”
Lizzo has said “I’m not the villain” in response to sexual harassment and fat-shaming claims in a lawsuit filed by three former troupe members.
“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,” she wrote in a statement posted on her social media channels.
Shortly after the singer broke her silence, the accusers reacted in shock to Lizzo’s “disheartening” response to their claims during their first UK TV appearance since their allegations came to light on Tuesday (1 August).
“Initially for me it just further deepened my disappointment in regards to how I was feeling and how I was treated,” Crystal Williams said on Channel 4.
According to the legal filing, Lizzo (real name Melissa Viviane Jefferson) allegedly pressured one of her dancers, Arianna Davis into touching a nude performer at an Amsterdam strip club.
It is also alleged that the Grammy winner set up a humiliating 12-hour re-audition for her dancers, and fostered a hostile work environment.
Beyoncé’s mother addresses speculation singer changed song lyrics after Lizzo lawsuit
Beyoncé‘s mother has addressed speculation the singer left out Lizzo’s name from a song during a show on her Renaissance tour after news of the lawsuit broke.
The same night that the allegations were made public, Beyoncé was performing in Boston, Massachusetts. During the show, she changed the lyrics of “Break My Heart (The Queens Remix)”, in which she lists the names of female Black artists, including Lizzo, Erykah Badu, Betty Davis, and her sister Solange Knowles.
While singing the song on Tuesday, fans noted, she didn’t do the usual shoutouts – choosing to repeat “Badu” four times instead. Some speculated the omission was connected to the accusations against Lizzo.
Shortly after, Beyoncé’s mother, Tina Lawson, addressed this fan theory on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
Peony Hirwani4 August 2023 11:00
Did Beyoncé change lyrics on her tour to omit singer’s name amid sexual harassment claims?
Beyoncé fans have speculated that she left Lizzo’s name out of a live performance due to recent allegations made against the singer.
The pop star, 41, regularly performs “Break My Soul (The Queens Remix)” as part of her set for the ongoing worldwide Renaissance tour.
There is a segment in the song’s lyrics in which Beyoncé lists off a number of Black female artists, including Lizzo, Lauryn Hill, Betty Davis, and her sister Solange Knowles.
During her performance in Boston, Massachusetts on Tuesday night (1 August), the singer altered the lyrics, appearing to leave out Lizzo’s name on purpose.
Peony Hirwani4 August 2023 10:30
Watch: Lizzo’s defiant Instagram post just hours before lawsuit filed
Lizzo’s defiant Instagram post just hours before lawsuit filed
Peony Hirwani4 August 2023 10:00
Dancer suing Lizzo suggested in 2021 she felt pressured to pose nude for singer’s Big Grrrls reality show
Peony Hirwani4 August 2023 09:30
Lizzo, the poster girl for body positivity, whose empowering image is now under threat
The “Good as Hell” singer has crafted a globally successful brand of body positivity and self-love, backed up by a litany of empowerment anthems. But as the star faces shocking allegations in a new lawsuit, my colleague Kate Ng digs into how she got here.
Peony Hirwani4 August 2023 09:00
RuPaul alum adds additional support for Lizzo
In addition to his original support for Lizzo, as she faces damaging allegations, RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Kahanna Montrese posted another separate Instagram Story, telling the singer to “stay strong”.
Kahanna Montrese supports Lizzo on Instagram Story
(Kahanna Montrese on Instagram)
Peony Hirwani4 August 2023 08:30
Listen: The Independent’s LA correspondent discusses Lizzo accusations on Woman’s Hour
The Independent’s LA correspondent discusses Lizzo accusations on Woman’s Hour
Peony Hirwani4 August 2023 08:00
Filmmaker Sophia Nahli Allison details Lizzo’s alleged ‘cruel’ behaviour that made her quit HBO documentary
Oscar-nominated filmmaker Sophia Nahli Allison has claimed to quit a documentary about Lizzo because she displayed “unkind and cruel” behaviour.
The documentarian was set to make a film with the singer in 2019, but walked away after shadowing the singer for two weeks.
Peony Hirwani4 August 2023 07:30
Lizzo’s former dancers react to singer’s ‘disheartening’ denial against allegations
Lizzo’s former employees have reacted to the singer’s denial of the accusations they’ve levelled against her, which include claims of sexual harassment and fostering a hostile work environment.
Peony Hirwani4 August 2023 07:00
Lizzo breaks silence and says dancers’ lawsuit claims are ‘false’
ICYMI: Lizzo has hit back at “sensationalised stories” after three dancers filed a lawsuit against her earlier this week.
Peony Hirwani4 August 2023 06:30