Lizzo and her Big Grrrl Big Tour company just won big time after a California court ruled to dismiss several claims made against the singer. Since last year, Lizzo has been faced with much backlash and negative publicity after members from her own touring group filed formal complaints and even lawsuits.
It all started in August 2023 when three of her former tour dancers — Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez — filed a lawsuit against Lizzo and Big Grrrl Big Touring. The Root previously reported that the trio alleged sexual misconduct and hostile workplace conditions— claiming the singer physically threatened, weight-shamed, and sexually harassed them.
Just one month later in September 2023, Asha Daniels, a former stylist for Lizzo’s touring company, filed a lawsuit alleging racial and sexual harassment by members of Lizzo’s management team, a hostile work environment and unpaid over time, according to ABC News. Daniels also claimed she had been physically and verbally abused by her manager, Amanda Nomura.
More than a year later, California Judge Fernando L. Aenlle-Rocha said Daniels failed to show real evidence to support her suit. The judge then granted a partial motion to dismiss several of Daniels’ claims against the singer because the stylist worked for Lizzo while on tour in Europe, where US labor laws do not apply, according to Page Six.
So in short, the case against Lizzo is dropped, but her touring company can still face damages. Even though Daniels was a part of Lizzo’s tour, this ruling backs up the claims from Stefan Friedman, Lizzo’s rep, who said Daniels “never actually met or even spoke with Lizzo” in an interview with ABC last year.
“These allegations do not establish plausibly that any portion of plaintiff’s claim arose from work performed in the United States or qualifying territories,” Judge Aenlle-Rocha said.
With all the commotion that’s been surrounding Lizzo’s name, now, the Grammy Award-winning singer is probably feeling good as hell after news of her big win against one of her accusers.
But even with this victory, there’s still more Lizzo has to face in the courts. And she made it clear she plans to fight every accusation made against her. Back in August 2023, Lizzo said “I am not the villain that people and the media have portrayed me to be these last few days.” She continued with “I am very open with my sexuality and expressing myself but I cannot accept or allow people to use that openness to make me out to be something I am not.”