When it rains, it pours. Things seems to be getting worse for Grammy award-winning artist Lizzo.
According to the DailyMail, the “Juice” singer was dropped in consideration of performing during the upcoming LVII Super Bowl halftime show due to the surrounding sexual harassment allegations by her former dancers.
An NFL insider exclusively tells DailyMail.com that the ensuing backlash over the allegations has prompted the organization to immediately drop Lizzo from Super Bowl Halftime Show contention – having previously had her name in the mix as one of the front-runners for the 2024 spectacle.
‘Talks of Lizzo being a part of the Halftime festivities, or performing the National Anthem, are dead now that she is surrounded by scandal,’ the source said in the wake of the accusations – which Lizzo vehemently denies.
Lizzo hasn’t responded to this news as of yet.
Earlier this month the 35-year-old popstar – who has marketed herself as a body-positive activist – is facing some serious allegations by three of her former dancers, Crystal Williams, Noelle Rodriguez, and Arianna Davis, filed a lawsuit against her, accusing Lizzo of creating a ‘hostile work environment’.
Earlier this week, Attorneys representing three of Lizzo’s former back-up dancers who filed a lawsuit over claims of weight shaming and sexual harassment at work revealed that they now have six other people who have submitted complaints along similar lines.
Ron Zambrano, a lawyer representing the backup dancers, told NBC News the six new accuses toured with Lizzo, either as backup dancers or on her Amazon studios show, describing the complaints as centering around an alleged ‘sexually charged environment’ on Lizzo’s tour, and failure to pay employees.
It comes after dancers Davis, Williams and Rodriguez sat down for an interview with Good Morning America last week in which they branded Lizzo ‘fat-phobic’ and shared sordid stories from their time touring with their former employer.
‘I know it’s alarming to hear that Lizzo, a plus-size woman who preaches body positivity, would be fat-phobic, essentially. But I want to challenge people to understand that hurt people hurt people,’ Davis said.
Rodriguez recounted the moment Lizzo allegedly threatened her, after she told her she wanted to resign because she felt ‘unsafe’ and ‘disrespected’.
‘She basically started to ball up her fists and crack her knuckles, and she was like “You’re so effin lucky right now” as she’s like inching her way towards me.’
Rodriguez then claimed Lizzo’s best friend jumped off the couch and had to physically restrain her.
Davis also teared up while describing the incident when Lizzo allegedly pressured her into touching a nude performer at a sex show in Amsterdam.
Davis and Williams were fired, while Rodriguez resigned in what she claims was a response to the pair’s alleged treatment.
In their lawsuit, Davis, Williams and Rodriguez accused the “Truth Hurts” singer – as well as the Big Grrrl Big Touring and dance team captain Shirlene Quigley – of creating a ‘sexually charged and uncomfortable’ work environment.
The trio claim that, while on a concert trip with the artist to Amsterdam in February 2023, Lizzo invited them for a night out on the town that ended in the city’s Red Light District.
They said in their filing: ‘Things quickly got out of hand. Lizzo began inviting cast members to take turns touching the nude performers, catching dildos launched from the performers’ vaginas, and eating bananas protruding from the performers’ vaginas.’
The dancers added Lizzo allegedly ‘pressured’ and ‘goaded’ Arianna into touching one of the nude performers’ breasts.
In another instance, the plaintiffs claim Lizzo invited the dancers to a club in Paris – but failed to mention that it was a nude cabaret bar. This ‘shocked’ the dancers, who said Lizzo ‘robbed them of the choice not to participate,’ the suit said.
Since the lawsuit was filed, Lizzo has lost more than 120,000 followers on Instagram and she has only made one statement regarding the allegations.
“These last few days have been gut wrenchingly difficult and overwhelmingly disappointing,” Lizzo posted on social media.
“My work ethic, morals and respectfulness have been questioned. My character has been criticized. Usually I choose not to respond to false allegations but these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous to not be addressed.”
She added, “These sensationalized stories are coming from former employees who have already publicly admitted that they were told their behavior on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional. As an artist I have always been very passionate about what I do. I take my music and 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.”
“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. ‘l am not here to be looked at as a victim, but I also know that I am not the villain that people and the media have portrayed me to be these last few days.”
“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. There is nothing I take more seriously than the respect we deserve as women in the world. I know what it feels like to be body shamed on a daily basis and would absolutely never criticize or terminate an employee because of their weight.”
She concluded, “I’m hurt but I will not let the good work I’ve done in the world be overshadowed by this. I want to thank everyone who has reached out in support to lift me up during this difficult time.”
No word on who will be chosen to perform during Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show, but it looks like it won’t be Lizzo.
