Lizzo has insisted she is “not the villain” after she was sued by three former dancers over allegations of sexual harassment and the creation of a hostile work environment.
The singer, who is known for embracing body positivity, said in an Instagram statement that the allegations are “as unbelievable as they sound” and “too outrageous to not be addressed”.
She described the last few days as “gut wrenchingly difficult and overwhelmingly disappointing”.
“My work ethic, morals and respectfulness have been questioned. My character has been criticized,” she said.
The complaint, filed in Los Angeles on Tuesday, was brought against the Truth Hurts singer, real name Melissa Viviane Jefferson, and her production company Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc (BGBT).
The three dancers – Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez – claim they were subject to sexual, religious and racial harassment, disability discrimination, assault and false imprisonment, among other allegations.
These include the accusation the singer pressured one of them into touching a nude performer at a club in Amsterdam’s red light district.
They also allege the captain of Lizzo’s dance team, Shirlene Quigley, attempted to convert the performers’ religious beliefs and derided those who had premarital sex, also allegedly sharing lewd sexual fantasies and publicly discussing the virginity of one of the complainants.
