In a shocking turn of events, three former dancers who worked with Grammy-winning singer Lizzo have filed a lawsuit against her and her production company, Big Grrrl Big Touring Inc., alleging sexual harassment, hostile work environment, and other inappropriate behavior. The lawsuit was filed on Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court and accuses Lizzo and her dance team captain, Shirlene Quigley, of creating a toxic work environment during their performances on Lizzo's Special Tour this year.

According to the lawsuit, the dancers were subjected to an "overtly sexual atmosphere" that permeated their workplace. They claim that outings organized by Lizzo and Quigley included nudity and sexuality as a focal point. The dancers allege that Lizzo sexually harassed them while Quigley engaged in religious harassment and weight shaming. The lawsuit also mentions an incident in Amsterdam where Lizzo invited employees to touch nude performers and handle dildos and bananas used in their performances.

The plaintiffs, Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez, further claim that they were pressured to participate in these activities out of fear of retaliation. The suit also alleges that Lizzo and her management team prevented the dancers from finding work outside of the tour and subjected them to re-auditioning processes after false accusations of unprofessionalism and drinking on the job.

The allegations made in the lawsuit seem to contradict Lizzo's public image as a champion of body positivity and inclusivity. The plaintiffs' lawyer, Ron Zambrano, stated that the treatment of the dancers by Lizzo and her management team goes against everything Lizzo stands for publicly. He described their actions as not only illegal but also demoralizing.

Two of the plaintiffs, Arianna Davis and Crystal Williams, joined Lizzo's dance team after competing on her reality television show, "Watch Out for the Big Grrrls," in 2021. The show aimed to provide representation for plus-size dancers. However, both Davis and Williams were fired in the spring of 2023. Noelle Rodriguez, the third plaintiff, was hired in May 2021 to perform in Lizzo's “Rumors” music video and remained on the dance team until she resigned shortly after the firings of Davis and Williams.

The lawsuit seeks damages for emotional distress, unpaid wages, loss of earnings, and attorney's fees. It also raises concerns about the impact of these allegations on Lizzo's reputation as a body-positive advocate and suggests that a settlement may be likely due to the difficulty of proving a hostile work environment in the entertainment industry.

This news comes as a shock to fans of Lizzo, who has been known for promoting body positivity, self-love, and diversity. Since her breakout hit “Truth Hurts” in 2019, Lizzo has become a powerful voice in the music industry, advocating for inclusivity and empowerment. She recently won the Grammy for record of the year for her song "About Damn Time."

Diana Reddy, an assistant professor at the School of Law at the University of California, Berkeley, commented on the lawsuit, stating that allegations outside legally protected categories could undermine Lizzo's body-positive message. Reddy also suggested that the plaintiffs' lawyers may be hoping for a settlement, as employment discrimination plaintiffs often struggle to succeed in court.

Representatives for Lizzo and her production company have not yet responded to requests for comment on the lawsuit. The allegations made by the former dancers against Lizzo and her team are serious and could have significant implications for the singer's career and public image.