Lizzo’s legal team BLASTS a bombshell lawsuit filed by three of her former dancers and calls it a ‘fabricated sob story’ launched by ‘opportunists’
Lizzo’s legal team has branded a lawsuit filed by three of her former dancers as a ‘fabricated sob story’ launched by ‘opportunists.’
The 35-year-old star -who may attempt to clear her name in a tell-all interview- was sued in August by three ex-members of her Big Grrls dance troupe who accused her of discrimination, sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment.
In a motion to dismiss the case filed on Friday, the singer’s legal team argued the suit had been filed by a trio with an ‘axe to grind’ against the star and had displayed ‘a pattern of gross misconduct and failure to perform their job up to par.’
Documents obtained by Billboard showed attorney Martin D. Singer wrote: ‘Plaintiffs embarked on a press tour, vilifying defendants and pushing their fabricated sob story in the courts and in the media. That ends today.’
He continued: ‘Instead of taking any accountability for their own actions, plaintiffs filed this lawsuit against defendants out of spite and in pursuit of media attention, public sympathy and a quick payday with minimal effort.’
No holds barred: Lizzo ‘s legal team has branded a lawsuit filed by three of her former dancers as a ‘fabricated sob story’ launched by ‘opportunists’; she is seen in June
The lawyers also included sworn statements from 18 members of Lizzo’s touring party which dispute many of the lawsuit’s specific accusations, including allegations she had fat-shamed some of her dancers.
One of the dancers recalled: ‘I never saw anyone, including plaintiffs, being weight shamed or body shamed.’
The individual then stated that the Good As Hell singer had maintained a professional attitude when interacting with other dancers.
‘Lizzo inspired all of us to celebrate and love ourselves and our bodies as we are,’ they wrote.
The Juice singer’s team wants the case to be dismissed immediately under California’s so-called anti-SLAPP statute – which makes it easier to quickly end meritless lawsuits that threaten free speech and are more typically used in defamation cases – because of the creative nature of Lizzo’s work.
Her lawyers wrote: ‘The complaint — and plaintiffs’ carefully choreographed media blitz surrounding its filing — is a brazen attempt to silence defendants’ creative voices and weaponize their creative expression against them.’
Lawyers for the accusers, Crystal Williams, Noelle Rodriguez and Arianna Davis, have blasted the motion to dismiss.
Neama Rahmani of West Coast Employment Lawyers told Billboard in a statement: ‘Even a first-year law student can see that ‘free speech’ does not cover Lizzo and her team’s illegal sexual harassment and racial, religious, and disability discrimination.’
In hot water: The 35-year-old star -who may attempt to clear her name in a tell-all interview- was sued in August by three ex-members of her Big Grrls dance troupe who accused her of discrimination, sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment; she is seen in May
Speaking their mind: In a motion to dismiss the case filed on Friday, the singer’s legal team argued the suit had been filed by a trio with an ‘axe to grind’ who had displayed ‘a pattern of gross misconduct and failure to perform their job up to par’; Lizzo is seen in 2022
Providing proof: The lawyers also included sworn statements from 18 members of Lizzo’s touring party which dispute many of the lawsuit’s specific accusations, including allegations she had fat-shamed some of her dancers; she is seen in June
Unhappy: Lawyers for the accusers, Crystal Williams, Noelle Rodriguez and Arianna Davis, have blasted the motion to dismiss; Lizzo is seen in September
She added: ‘Filming a reality TV show doesn’t give Lizzo the right to break the law.’
‘The defense’s declarants are either defendants accused of wrongdoing, or people who are on Lizzo’s payroll, and their statements can’t be considered by the judge,’ she said.
Rahmani concluded by stating that West Coast Employment Lawyers had also been contacted by various individuals who had allegedly been mistreated by the singer.
‘Our clients have dozens of independent witnesses who support their stories, and we continue to receive inquiries from other former Lizzo employees who want to be new plaintiffs,’ she said.
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