Three backup dancers, who are suing Lizzo for alleged sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment, have responded to the singer “quitting” the music industry.
Last week, the US popstar shared a post on Instagram saying “I quit” after claiming she is being ridiculed online for her character and was tired of being the subject of “lies”.
“I’m getting tired of putting up with being dragged by everyone in my life and on the internet,” she wrote.
However, the dancers’ lawyer Ron Zambrano has responded to the Grammy winner’s announcement on Monday and branded the post “a joke”.
According to Entertainment Weekly, he said: “It’s a joke that Lizzo would say she is being bullied by the internet when she should instead be taking an honest look at herself.
“Her latest post is just another outburst seeking attention and trying to deflect from her own failings as she continues to blame everyone else for the predicament she is in. Lizzo’s legal and public relations strategy is a failure, so she is desperately trying to play the victim.”
He added that Lizzo has “thrown these childish tantrums before” and said: “No one actually believes she is quitting music.”
The Standard has contacted Lizzo’s representatives for comment.Last August, Lizzo and her production company were sued by ex-dancers Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez, who accused the Good As Hell singer of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment.
At the time, the pop star described the allegations as “gut wrenchingly difficult and overwhelmingly disappointing”, adding that the claims are “as unbelievable as they sound”.
A month later, fashion designer Asha Daniels lodged a lawsuit with the Los Angeles Superior Court, alleging that Lizzo permitted instances of bullying, harassment, and racial discrimination to occur backstage during her tour.
The About Damn Time singer, whose real name is Melissa Viviane Jefferson, “I quit” post came a day after the lawyer said it was “shameful” the singer headlined a Radio City fundraiser for President Joe Biden “amid such egregious allegations”.
Zambrano reportedly told NewsNation: “It’s shameful that Lizzo would be chosen to headline an event like this amid such egregious allegations.”
