+26 votes
in General Factchecking by Apprentice (1.1k points)
This NPR article claims that popular pop and R&B singer, Lizzo, is being accused of sexual harassment and maintaining a toxic work environment on tours and during performances for her dancers: https://www.npr.org/2023/08/02/1191675195/former-dancers-accuse-lizzo-harassment-creating-hostile-work-environment
by Apprentice (1.5k points)
+3
This is True. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/02/us/lizzo-dancers-lawsuit-harassment.html
According to the NYT article, three dancers who previously worked on Lizzo's last tour filed a complaint alleging that Lizzo and her team captain produced a toxic and hyper-sexualized work atmosphere. The pop artist recently replied to the lawsuit's accusations, calling them "as unbelievable as they sound."
by Novice (720 points)
+2
This is in fact true.

According to NBC News, Lizzo weight-shamed, and sexually harassed four dancers. As stated in the lawsuit, "Plaintiffs were aghast with how little regard Lizzo showed for the bodily autonomy of her employees and those around her, especially in the presence of many people whom she employed." Dancer Arianna Davis was also pressured to touch a nude performer at an Amsterdam club.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/lizzo-dancers-weight-shamed-pressured-touch-nude-performer-lawsuit-rcna95161
by Genius (41.4k points)
@courtcheese and @svallapareddy, going forward, it's better to add your fact-check rather than comment on the claim. You'll then be able to have your claim be upvoted and chosen as the best answer. Thanks!
by Novice (870 points)
Good answer! I appreciate you citing the article and describing what is happening with an actual lawsuit, as well as Lizzo's reaction to the lawsuit as well. It provides a more well rounded idea of what is going on here.
by Novice (860 points)
I have heard quite a bit on this issue. There is multiple different accusers. I think you also did a great job mentioning which sources were used and from the ones you mentioned they all seem to be reputable
by Newbie (480 points)
I have heard about this, and I think you answered it very well. I like your evidence from the lawsuit directly, and as unfortunate as it is I think you did a good job explaining what had happened.

26 Answers

+1 vote
by Novice (520 points)

This is in fact true. There are true former women who worked for lizzo who has filed a law suit against her. 

Three of Lizzo’s former dancers have accused the singer of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment in a lawsuit filed Tuesday. They also allege that she pressured one of them to touch a nude performer at an Amsterdam club and subjected the group to an “excruciating” audition after leveling false accusations that they were drinking on the job.

The dancers accused Lizzo — a performer known for embracing body positivity and celebrating her physique — of calling attention to one dancer’s weight gain and later berating, then firing, that dancer after she recorded a meeting because of a health condition.

The information above was reported by https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/lizzo-dancers-weight-shamed-pressured-touch-nude-performer-lawsuit-rcna95161 a very reliable source.

True
+1 vote
by Novice (600 points)
This is true,

According to CNN, it mentions that Lizzo was accused of sexual harassment. Reading a little more into the article, that was not the only thing that she did. The overall work environment was described to be "hostile" and she also does not want to admit to any of the accusations.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/03/entertainment/lizzo-lawsuit-response/index.html
True
+1 vote
by Novice (770 points)
True
by Genius (41.4k points)
Going forward, try to be more informative when writing up a fact-check. Include some concrete evidence such as a quotes, data, or info that support your "true" rating. Thanks!
+1 vote
by Newbie (370 points)

This is true. According to an article written by the Miami Daily Herald, three of Lizzo's backup dancers accused her of the sexual harassment that lead to a hostile work condition. A lawsuit was filed on August 1st. 

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article277848513.html

+1 vote
by Apprentice (1.6k points)
The claim that "Lizzo caught up in lawsuit; alleged sexual harassment" is true. Based upon my research, which these two trusted news outlets affirm. Nbc directly quotes the judge of the case who did not allow the case to be dismissed by Lizzo. They enrich the article by providing evidence of his claims, which gives insight to the court case. The claim is very straight forward and accurate. News nation briefly summarizes the main points of the case, while NBC gives detail about the legality behind the case.

https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/lizzo-sexual-harassment-case-proceed-judge-denies-request-throw-lawsui-rcna137112

https://www.newsnationnow.com/entertainment-news/lizzo-sexual-harassment-case-continues/
True
+1 vote
by Champion (14.6k points)

This is true. According to Billboard, in August 2023, three of her dancers accused her and her Big Grrrl Big Touring Inc. of creating a "hostile work environment through a wide range of legal wrongdoing, including not just sexual harrassment but also religious and racial discrimination." Lizzo's accusers also claimed she forced them to attend a live sex show in Amsterdan and then pressured them to engage in sexual acts. Lizzo denied the allegations, calling them "sensationalized stories" that were false and "outrageous" (NBC News).

True
+2 votes
by Apprentice (1.3k points)

As reported by The New York Times, three dancers who were formerly part of Lizzo's touring team have initiated legal action, alleging that Lizzo and her team leader cultivated a hostile and overly sexualized workplace atmosphere. In response to the allegations outlined in the lawsuit, the pop singer has recently remarked that they are "as unbelievable as they sounds."

Here's also the quote from the official court documents of the lawsuit from the state of California"

This case centers on three professional dancers’ experiences working for Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as “BGBT”) and Melissa Viviane Jefferson (professionally known, and hereinafter referred to as “LIZZO”). Throughout their employment, Plaintiffs Arianna DAVIS (hereinafter referred to as “Ms. DAVIS”), Crystal WILLIAMS (hereinafter referred to as “Ms. WILLIAMS”), and Noelle RODRIGUEZ (hereinafter referred to as “Ms. RODRIGUEZ”; Ms. DAVIS, Ms. WILLIAMS, and Ms. RODRIGUEZ collectively referred to as “Plaintiffs”) were subjected to a host of violations of California statutory and decisional law.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/02/us/lizzo-dancers-lawsuit-harassment.html

https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Lizzo-harassment-suit.pdf%C2%A0

True
0 votes
by Apprentice (1.3k points)
This is true. Multiple sources have confirmed the accusations of sexual harassment and a toxic work environment.

A source told NBC that "the day before, Lizzo had told the group that they would have to audition again, a move that prompted what the suit described as an 'excruciating' 12-hour rehearsal. If Lizzo was dissatisfied with their performances, the suit alleges, the dancers would be sent home."

The source also tells NBC that "privately she (Lizzo) weight-shames her dancers and demeans them in ways that are not only illegal but absolutely demoralizing."

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/lizzo-dancers-weight-shamed-pressured-touch-nude-performer-lawsuit-rcna95161
0 votes
by Apprentice (1.3k points)

The claim is true. According to The Guardian, Lizzo and her team settled a payment dispute with 14 of her dancers who had stated that they were featured in her HBO Max documentary without her consent. The claims made against her were of sexual harassment and weight shaming.

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/aug/24/lizzo-settled-dancers-pay-dispute-months-before-sexual-harassment-claim

True
0 votes
by Novice (680 points)
This claim against Lizzo for alleged sexual harassment, seems to be true. Upon further research, sources such as The Los Angeles Times have released articles in which include quotes directly from the dancers manager, describing that "by sharing this unauthorized footage to the public without their approval/permissions, has truly exploited these women and violated the emotional safety they had in those moments." Additionally, the Times was given copies of legal agreements from this case, in which revealed that a total payout of $109,551 was distributed amongst the dancers involved.

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/aug/24/lizzo-settled-dancers-pay-dispute-months-before-sexual-harassment-claim

https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2023-08-23/lizzo-lawsuit-settlement-dancers-hbo-documentary-love-lizzo
True

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