In an important legal development, Lizzo has successfully navigated part of a harassment lawsuit that was leveled against her by wardrobe assistant Asha Daniels. A federal judge in Los Angeles ruled that Daniels could not pursue her case against Lizzo individually, resulting in the dismissal of all seven counts against the Grammy-winning artist. The judge determined that Lizzo's management and payroll companies were the actual employers responsible for Daniels' claims, which included allegations of racial and sexual harassment, along with unpaid overtime while working during the 2023 tour.
Despite this victory for Lizzo, her touring company Big Grrrl Big Touring Inc continues to face legal action as Daniels moves forward with her complaints. The ruling also accepted a partial dismissal of claims based on the fact that Daniels worked in Europe, where U.S. employment laws do not apply.
In her allegations, Daniels described an atmosphere of "unsafe, sexually charged workplace culture," which Lizzo has firmly denied, asserting that such claims are merely an "absurd publicity stunt." Lizzo's representatives characterized Daniels as a disgruntled former employee with unfounded allegations.
This legal saga isn't isolated, as similar complaints have arisen in the past; three of Lizzo’s former dancers filed a lawsuit in August, alleging sexual harassment and body shaming by the singer during tours in 2021 and 2023. In response, Lizzo labeled those accusations as exaggerated tales from ex-employees who had been reprimanded for their inappropriate behavior.
Lizzo has stated that she is committed to her career and aims to focus on positivity despite the backlash. She recently reassured fans that she is not stepping away from music, framing her intent to “quit” as a choice to disengage from negativity directed at her personal image. Lizzo's legal team is also pursuing the dismissal of the dancers' case while they seek a jury trial.
Thus far, the ongoing legal matters continue to unfold, clouding Lizzo's public persona, but she maintains her commitment to her artistry and message of body positivity.
