After a lawsuit filed by three of her former dancers accused Lizzo of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment, other people who had worked with her have come forward with statements of their own. Another former dancer of Lizzo’s, Courtney Hollinquest, posted on her Instagram story, “For clarification, I’m not apart of the lawsuit – but this was very much my experience in my time there. Big shoutout to the dancers who had the courage to bring this to light.”
Quinn Whitney Wilson, Lizzo’s former creative director, shared Hollinquest’s story and wrote that she was “echoing” what had been said, adding, “I haven’t been apart of that world for around three years, for a reason. I very much applaud the dancers courage to bring this to light. and I grieve parts of my own experience. I’d appreciate space to understand my feelings.”
Director Sophia Nahli Allison also took to Instagram, writing that she had bowed out of directing a documentary about Lizzo after “about 2 weeks” after being “treated with such disrespect by her.” “I usually do not comment on anything pop culture related,” she writes. “But, in 2019, I traveled a bit with Lizzo to be the director of her documentary. I walked away after about 2 weeks. I was treated with such disrespect by her. I witnessed how arrogant, self-centered, and unkind she is. I was not protected and was thrown into a shitty situation with little support. My spirit said to run as fast as you fucking can and I’m so grateful I trusted my gut.I felt gaslit and was deeply hurt, but I’ve healed. Reading these reports made me realize how dangerous of a situation it was. This kind of abuse of power happens far too often. Much love and support to the dancers.”
In another story, Allison continued, “to be clear. Since I’ve spoken out, I’ve had others privately share their very similar experiences, and I have also been affirmed by people who witnessed what I went through. Lizzo creates an extremely toxic and hostile working environment and undermines the work, labor, and authority of other black and brown womxn in the process. (Notice how the documentary ended up being directed by a cis white man.) She is a narcissistic bully and has built her brand off of lies. I was excited to support and protect a Black woman through the documentary process but quickly learned her image and ‘message’ was a curated facade. I stand with the dancers and anyone who has had similar experiences working with her and her team. These working conditions are not ok.”
Playing her first show since news of the lawsuit became public on Tuesday, TMZ reports that Beyoncé left Lizzo’s name out of the lyrics of “Break My Soul (The Queens Remix)” during her performance, changing the line from “Badu, Lizzo, Kelly Rowl” to “Badu, Badu, Badu, Badu.” Vulture points out that Erykah Badu had also recently seemed to draw attention to a metallic top hat Beyoncé has been wearing on tour and its similarity to the ones she often wears, writing “I guess I’m everybody stylist” in an Instagram story with pictures of both in hats.
Lizzo has not made a public response to the lawsuit and allegations at this time.
