Lizzo’s Former Dancers File Lawsuit Against the Singer, Claim They Were Pressured to Pose Nude

usmagazine.com:

Three of Lizzo’s former dancers are suing the singer, accusing her of creating a hostile work environment and allegedly pressuring them to participate in a nude photoshoot, Us Weekly can confirm.The dancers — Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez — filed a lawsuit on Tuesday, August 1, against Lizzo, 35, for a hostile work environment, religious harassment, disability discrimination, sexual harassment and more.

The suit names Lizzo (whose real name is Melissa Jefferson), Lizzo’s tour company Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc. (BGBT) and dance captain Shirlene Quigley. (Davis and Williams were participants on Lizzo’s show Watch Out for the Big Grrrls while Rodriguez was cast in the “Rumors” music video.)According to court docs obtained by Us, the group alleged that Quigley displayed sexually inappropriate behavior towards the team.

The trio claimed that Quigley made them “uncomfortable” when she would “simulate oral sex on a banana in front of the rest of the dance cast,” and she allegedly made several comments about Davis being a virgin.While Davis and Williams were competing on the reality series, they were allegedly told they were required to participate in a nude photo shoot.

Davis did not want to do the challenge but feared she would be sent home if she refused.“Ms. Davis broke down in tears on set while struggling to choose between a once in a lifetime career opportunity and putting her body on display against her will,” the lawsuit states. “This experience foreshadowed the sexually charged and uncomfortable environment Lizzo’s employees would be forced to endure.”The dancers also alleged that during a trip to Amsterdam, Lizzo invited the dancers to the Red Light District.