Former dancers accuse Lizzo of harassment and creating a hostile work environment

Lizzo performs at the United Center on May 17, 2023, in Chicago. Lizzo has been sued by three former dancers who accuse the Grammy winner of sexual harassment and allege the singer and her production company created a hostile work environment. The civil lawsuit filed Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023, in Los Angeles County Superior Court claims Lizzo pressured one of the dancers to engage with nude performers at a club in Amsterdam and shamed another dancer for her weight gain before firing her. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP, File)

Three professional dancers are demanding a jury trial in their lawsuit against Lizzo — a four-time Grammy-winning artist known for celebrating body positivity — for allegedly creating a hostile work environment. The allegations include sexual, racial and religious harassment and false imprisonment.

The suit brought against 35-year-old Melissa Viviane Jefferson, professionally known as Lizzo, was filed at the Los Angeles County Superior Court on Tuesday. It paints a picture of an allegedly hostile work environment, in stark contrast to how she portrays herself to the public.

The lawsuit, obtained through the plaintiff’s attorneys at West Coast Employment Lawyers (WCEL), includes a slew of accusations against the artist, her production company Big Grrrl Big Touring Inc., as well as the captain of her dance team, Shirlene Quigley.