Melissa Viviane Jefferson, professionally known as Lizzo, has addressed the sexual assault lawsuit filed against her, expressing shock and denying the allegations.
The 36-year-old rapper and singer, whose career faced significant backlash following the lawsuit filed by former dancers last year, spoke candidly about the ordeal on Thursday’s episode of Baby, This is Keke Palmer. During her interview with host Keke Palmer, Lizzo described the allegations as a complete surprise.
“I was living my dream,” Lizzo said. “Then the tour ended, and three ex-dancers blindsided me with a lawsuit. I was completely shocked.”
The lawsuit, filed in August 2023, accused Lizzo of sexual pressure and weight shaming, among other allegations. Plaintiffs Crystal Williams, Arianna Davis, and Noelle Rodriguez also claimed instances of harassment, assault, false imprisonment, and discrimination based on race, religion, and disability.
Lizzo expressed hurt over the accusations, emphasizing that she had given the dancers significant opportunities. “These were people I liked and respected as dancers. It’s upsetting because they weren’t even part of the tour when this happened,” she said.
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While Lizzo has been dismissed from a separate lawsuit filed by ex-stylist Asha Daniels—who alleged sexual harassment and exposure to “racist and fatphobic” comments—her company remains named as a defendant. Earlier this month, a federal judge in Los Angeles ruled that Lizzo and her tour manager could not be held personally responsible for Daniels’ claims, according to reports by Rolling Stone and the BBC.
Despite her dismissal from that case, Lizzo remains a defendant in the harassment lawsuit brought by her former dancers, which is currently in the appeals process. Ron Zambrano, the attorney representing the dancers, criticized Lizzo’s comments on the podcast, asserting that she failed to understand the power dynamics at play.
“There’s a power imbalance in the boss-employee relationship that Lizzo doesn’t acknowledge,” Zambrano stated to USA TODAY. “We are prepared to prove every claim in court with Lizzo under oath before a jury of her peers.”
The allegations initially sparked widespread backlash on social media, leading Lizzo to face significant criticism from fans and the public.
Addressing the claims during the interview, Lizzo dismissed the accusations as “silly” and reflected on how the experience reshaped her approach to boundaries between herself and her team.
“In the music industry, that boss-employee dynamic isn’t as intense as in the corporate world,” Lizzo said. “I used to think, ‘Why can’t we all be like family and have fun together?’ Now, I see why boundaries are important—not just for them but for myself.”
Lizzo concluded her remarks emphatically: “Let’s be clear: I did nothing wrong.”
