Lizzo Faces New Lawsuit Alleging Unsafe Workplace Culture During Tour
Lizzo, the acclaimed singer behind “Special,” finds herself entangled in another lawsuit filed by a former employee, Asha Daniels. The
Nik Richie
Lizzo, the acclaimed singer behind “Special,” finds herself entangled in another lawsuit filed by a former employee, Asha Daniels. The suit accuses the artist, along with her production company and management team members, of fostering an environment conducive to an “unsafe, sexually charged workplace culture” during her tour.
Daniels, who served as a wardrobe designer for Lizzo’s dancers, detailed her experience in the lawsuit filed on Thursday in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The allegations encompassed a range of issues, including “degradation, forced physical labor, denial of medical care, sexual harassment, and racial harassment” that she endured during her time on tour, which commenced last February.
According to the lawsuit, Daniels was introduced to a culture of “racism and bullying” from the outset of her tenure with Lizzo. Dancers were reportedly subjected to uncomfortable situations, being “forced to change in and out of their clothing in small, tight, changing areas during all the shows with little to no privacy whatsoever.” Crew members, primarily “white males,” allegedly engaged in lewd behavior, such as gawking, sneering, and giggling while the dancers underwent outfit changes.
The lawsuit further asserted that Daniels was exposed to “racist and fatphobic comments” from Amanda Nomura, identified as a supervising agent for Lizzo’s production company. Daniels also faced threats and retaliation, according to the complaint.
This legal action emerges less than two months after three former dancers of Lizzo sued the 35-year-old star, claiming they were subjected to an “overtly sexual atmosphere” during their tour. Notably, Daniels is represented by the same legal team, West Coast Trial Lawyers, as the trio of dancers.
While a representative for Lizzo has not yet responded to requests for comment, Stefan Friedman, a spokesperson for the Grammy Award-winning artist, issued a statement to NBC News on Thursday, dismissing the lawsuit as a “bogus, absurd publicity-stunt lawsuit.”