Lizzo has publicly responded to the allegations at the center of a widely publicized lawsuit against her, saying in an extended statement released Thursday that she is "not the villain that people and the media have portrayed me to be these last few days."
In the statement, which she shared to Twitter and Instagram, Lizzo referred to the allegations against her as “false” and claimed she would “absolutely never criticize or terminate an employee because of their weight.” She also pointed to what she described as the “high standards” necessary for her work.
Read Lizzo's full statement below.
"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. Usually I choose not to respond to false allegations but these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous to not be addressed.
These sensationalized stories are coming from former employees who have already publicly admitted that they were told their behavior on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional.
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.
l am not here to be looked at as a victim, but also know that I am not the villain that people and the media have portrayed me to be these last few days. 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. There is nothing I take more seriously than the respect we deserve as women in the world. I know what it feels like to be body shamed on a daily basis and would absolutely never criticize or terminate an employee because of their weight.
I'm hurt but I will not let the good work l've done in the world be overshadowed by this. I want to thank everyone who has reached out in support to lift me up during this difficult time."
As previously reported, Lizzo is accused in a lawsuit of weight-shaming former dancers and pressuring them to take part in sex shows.
“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,” attorney Ron Zambrano said in a press release issued Tuesday.
All three plaintiffs in the suit have accused Lizzo of sexual harassment, failure to prevent and/or remedy sexual harassment, and failure to prevent and/or remedy religious harassment. The suit also includes one plaintiff accusing Lizzo and her production company of assault, while two plaintiffs accuse the artist of disability discrimination.
In subsequent days, others have come forward with their own allegations about working with Lizzo, including Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker Sophia Nahli Allison.
On social media, Allison said she “traveled a bit” with Lizzo in 2019 while working as the would-be director of her documentary. However, she ultimately left the project due to allegedly being treated “with such disrespect” by the singer.
