Lizzo, a Grammy-winning musician known for her body-positive anthems and empowering message, is currently involved in a legal dispute over allegations that she is in striking contrast to her public persona. Lizzo, whose real name is Melissa Viviane Jefferson, her production business Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc. (BGBT), and the captain of the dance team Shirlene Quigley have all been sued by three former members of her dance team. Lizzo and her group are accused of harassing, discriminating against, assaulting, and creating a hostile work environment in the case, which was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Dancers Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez are the plaintiffs in the case. They allege that Lizzo displayed a variety of unsettling characteristics while they were working with her. The accusations include handicap discrimination as well as racial, religious, and sexual harassment. The lawsuit also mentions a case of wrongful imprisonment. Lizzo’s public persona of strength and the alleged treatment of her dancers, which he described as humiliating and demoralizing, are incongruent, according to the dancers’ lawyer, Ron Zambrano.

The dancers claim Lizzo bullied them into visiting nude performances and mingling with nude performers at clubs in Amsterdam’s Red Light District, as well as pressuring them into taking part in a nude photoshoot during one of her dance competition presentations. The dancers allegedly felt “tricked” into going because Lizzo suppressed information about a nude cabaret bar, according to the complaint. Additionally, the plaintiffs allege that BGBT management engages in discriminatory behavior, notably with regard to the dance team’s Black members, both in terms of compensation and treatment.

In direct opposition to Lizzo’s ideals of self-love and body positivity, Arianna Davis alleged that Lizzo and her staff made disparaging remarks about her weight gain.

The lawsuit also includes Shirlene Quigley’s name as the leader of the dance squad. She is charged by the plaintiffs with exploiting the workplace to spread anti-premarital sex ideas, preach about Christianity, and divulge excessive information about her own sex life with her husband. According to the lawsuit, Quigley also shared private details about the dancers on social media and at work, including one dancer’s virginity status.

According to reports, Noelle Rodriguez quit as a result of the toxic work climate, while Arianna Davis and Crystal Williams were fired. Following Rodriguez’s departure, Lizzo allegedly confronted him, and Rodriguez reportedly feared for his safety.

Lizzo’s public image as an advocate of body positivity and self-love is in stark contrast to the lawsuit. Requests for comments on the claims from BGBT, Shirlene Quigley, and Lizzo’s representatives have not yet been fulfilled.

The lawsuit, as it develops, calls into question the veracity of celebrity personas and the obligation of public individuals to respect the ideals they espouse. Lizzo’s music and message, as well as more general discussions about harassment and discrimination at work in the entertainment industry, may be significantly impacted by the conclusion of this court dispute.