Pop superstar Lizzo has publicly celebrated a partial legal victory after three of her former dancers withdrew specific fat-shaming allegations from a high-profile lawsuit against her.
Claims Withdrawn and a Public Response
In a new video posted to Instagram, the 37-year-old singer, whose real name is Melissa Viviane Jefferson, shared a statement expressing her relief. The dancers conceded in court that the claim she fired them for gaining weight had no merit. "The fat shaming claims against me have been officially dropped by my accusers," Lizzo wrote. "There was no evidence that I fired them because they gained weight. Because it never happened."
She asserted that the dancers, identified as Crystal Williams, Noelle Rodriguez and Arianna Davis, were instead dismissed for taking a private recording of her without consent and sending it to former employees. Despite this development, Lizzo confirmed she will continue to contest the other serious allegations made in the suit, stating: "I am still in a legal battle. I am not settling. I will be fighting every single claim until the truth is out."
The Original Lawsuit and Remaining Allegations
The initial legal action was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court in 2023 and contained a string of accusations that created a major scandal for the "Truth Hurts" singer. While the weight-related claim has been removed, the lawsuit continues to allege:
- Creating a hostile work environment.
- Sexual harassment and disability discrimination.
- Failing to address these issues within her dance troupe.
The former performers claim that between 2021 and 2023, they were pressured into participating in "disturbing sex shows" and endured sexually denigrating behaviour. One specific incident alleges Lizzo pressured Arianna Davis to touch a performer's breasts at an Amsterdam nightclub, which Ms Davis eventually did out of fear for her position.
Other claims include being taken to a nude cabaret in Paris without prior warning and enduring such intense rehearsals that Ms Davis soiled herself, fearing a bathroom break would cost her job. She was later allegedly made to perform in a see-through outfit with nothing underneath.
Lizzo's Broader Commentary on Backlash
This legal saga has unfolded against a backdrop of personal reflection for the artist. Earlier this year, on an episode of the Therapuss podcast with Jake Shane, Lizzo opened up about frequent public backlash. "I've been cancelled a lot," she said in the May 14 episode, later clarifying, "I shouldn't say I've been cancelled, because I'm still going, but I've gotten backlash a lot."
She described using such experiences as "a growing and learning lesson." In October 2024, after announcing a year-long break from performing, she addressed the concept again: "I've been canceled for everything at this point. Only God can cancel me now." She explained she now focuses publicly only on issues where she believes she can make a difference, calling this her new boundary.
The singer's statement on the dropped claims concluded with a note on the personal toll: "This claim has haunted me since the day it came out. It has been devastating to suffer through this in silence but I let my lawyers lead and I'm so grateful for this victory." The broader case concerning the remaining allegations is ongoing.
