A Los Angeles judge on Friday, February 2, 2024, denied Lizzo’s motion to throw out a bombshell sexual harassment suit. The singer’s motion comes in response to a lawsuit by three former backup dancers. While Judge Mark H. Epstein dismissed specific accusations, he allowed the case as a whole to move forward toward a trial.
Facing allegations of harassment and discrimination, Lizzo’s lawyers argued last year that the court should dismiss the case. They cited California’s anti-SLAPP statute, a special law that makes it easier to quickly end meritless lawsuits that threaten free speech under the First Amendment.
The singer’s lawyers argued that the accusers were using the lawsuit to “silence” her. However, in a detailed, 34-page decision, Epstein ruled that the anti-SLAPP statute didn’t fit all of the lawsuit’s allegations. He tossed out some of the plaintiff’s claims, including that Lizzo fat-shamed one of her dancers.
Yet, he ruled that the remainder of the case could go forward. In addition, the judge ruled that Lizzo, requiring dancers to pose for a nude photoshoot for her show, was protected under anti-SLAPP law as a part of the “creative process,” which falls under protected free speech.
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Judge Epstein wrote that figuring out the proper balance between protected speech and illegal discrimination was “no easy task.” However, he noted in his ruling that he “tried to thread this needle.” The judge wrote, “It is dangerous for the court to weigh in, ham-fisted, into constitutionally protected activity.”
“But it is equally dangerous to turn a blind eye to allegations of discrimination,” he added. “Or other forms of misconduct merely because they take place in a speech-related environment.” The case began in August 2023 when Lizzo’s former dancers filed a lawsuit against the singer.
Dancers Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez accused the singer, whose real name is Melissa Jefferson, and her Big Grrrl Big Touring Inc. of creating a hostile work environment. They accused her of sexual harassment and religious and racial discrimination.
In addition, the dancers accused Lizzo of weight-shaming. Hence, the lawsuit claims her actions amounted to disability discrimination. In one particularly vivid allegation, Lizzo’s dancers said she pushed them to attend a live sex show in Amsterdam.
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They also claim she pressured them to engage with the performers, including “eating bananas protruding from the performers’ vaginas.” Afterward, the lawsuit says Lizzo led a chant “goading” Davis to touch one performer’s breasts, which Davis eventually did.
Following Epstein’s ruling, Stefan Friedman, a spokesperson for Lizzo, commended the decision. Friedman said that Epstein’s ruling “pleased” the team. “Lizzo is grateful to the judge for seeing through much of the noise and recognizing who she is,” Friedman said.
In addition, Lizzo’s spokesperson noted that the singer plans to appeal the remaining charges. “We plan to appeal all elements that the judge chose to keep in the lawsuit,” Friedman said. “And are confident we will prevail.” However, Lizzo and Shirlene Quigley, the captain of her dance team, still have to face other allegations.
The renowned singer is facing a second lawsuit filed against her by a former employee, a fashion designer. The designer alleged that her boss, Lizzo’s wardrobe manager, mocked and bullied other employees, including the dancers. Although Lizzo tried to toss the suit last year, the case is still ongoing.
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