Lizzo Speaks Out Over Sexual Allegations In Lawsuit From Former Dancers

NAIROBI, Kenya, August 3- Lizzo is speaking out for the first time after a lawsuit by three of her former dancers accused her of creating a “hostile, abusive work environment,” saying that she’s “not the villain that people and the media” have portrayed her to be.

“As an artist I have always been passionate about what I do,” Lizzo, who was born Melissa Jefferson, said in a Thursday Instagram post. “I take my music cand my performances seriously because at the end of the day I only want to put out the best art that represents me and my fans.”

“With passion comes hard work and high standards,” the 35-year-old “2 Be Loved” singer added. “Sometimes I have to make hard decisions but it’s never my intention to make anyone feel uncomfortable or like they aren’t valued as an important part of the team.”

She argued that she is “not here to be looked at as a victim.”

“I also know that I am not the villain that people and the media have portrayed me to be these last few days,” the Grammy Award winner continued. “I am very open with my sexuality and expressing myself but I cannot accept or allow people to use that openness to make me out to be something I am not.”

In a lawsuit filed Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, a group of three dancers claimed they were “exposed to an overtly sexual atmosphere that permeated their workplace” while on a concert tour with Lizzo.

Dancers Arianna Davis, Noelle Rodriguez and Crystal Williams alleged that Lizzo pressured them into participating in a “severely uncomfortable” nude photo shoot, forced them into a “sexually charged and uncomfortable environment” with nude performers at a nightclub in Amsterdam and required them to undergo a “brutal” 12-hour audition in order to keep their jobs.

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