In a significant legal development, pop icon Lizzo has won a crucial battle in an ongoing lawsuit after three of her former dancers withdrew their accusations of fat-shaming. The dismissal of these specific claims marks a major victory for the singer's defense team.
Secret Recording Leads to Dismissal
The turning point in the case came from a secret recording made by one of the dancers. The lawsuit was originally filed by dancers Arianna Davis, Noelle Rodriguez, and Crystal Williams. They had alleged that Lizzo subjected them to body-shaming comments during rehearsals and performances for The Special Tour.
However, the court found that Davis was justifiably fired after she secretly recorded a meeting with Lizzo and sent the audio to Williams, who was no longer part of the tour. A Superior Court judge ruled this action warranted termination, directly undermining the dancers' fat-shaming allegations.
Following this ruling, the dancers chose not to appeal the decision further. Lizzo's attorneys, Marty Singer and Melissa Glass, stated the accusations never stood up in court, a position bolstered by testimony from eighteen witnesses who refuted the claims.
Lizzo's Response and Remaining Allegations
After the court's decision, Lizzo addressed the issue on social media. She clarified the reason for the dismissals, stating, “They weren’t fired for gaining weight. They were fired for taking a private recording of me without my consent and sending it off to ex-employees.”
Despite this setback for the plaintiffs, their lawyer, Ronald Zambrano, emphasized that other serious allegations in the lawsuit remain active. These include charges of harassment and false imprisonment.
The lawsuit also contains claims that Lizzo pressured staff to interact with performers at a venue in Amsterdam, known as the Bananenbar, which the singer has firmly denied. Her legal team remains confident about overcoming these remaining challenges in court.
Ongoing Legal Battle and Lizzo's Reaction
While the dismissal of the fat-shaming claim is a substantial win, the broader legal case against Lizzo continues. The singer had previously expressed shock at the lawsuit. In a 2024 interview with Keke Palmer, she said she felt “blindsided” by the legal action taken by her former employees.
This partial victory provides Lizzo's defense with considerable momentum as they prepare to address the remaining allegations. The outcome of this high-profile case continues to be closely watched, setting a precedent for how similar disputes might be handled in the entertainment industry.
