What has Lizzo said in statement responding to allegations of harassment made by her former backing dancers

Lizzo took to Instagram to respond to allegations made by three of her former backing dancers who are taking legal action against the singer.

On Thursday (August 3) Lizzo, 35, wrote a lengthy statement on her Instagram account that read "These last few days have been gut wrenchingly difficult and overwhelmingly disappointing. My work ethic, morals and respectfulness have been questioned. My character has been criticized. Usually I choose not to respond to false allegations but these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous to not be addressed."

"These sensationalized stories are coming from former employees who have already publicly admitted that they were told their behaviour on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional. As an artist I have always been very passionate about what I do. I take my music and my performances seriously because at the end of the day I only want to put out the best art that represents me and my fans."

"With passion comes hard work and high standards. Sometimes I have to make hard decisions but it's never my intention to make anyone feel uncomfortable or like they aren't valued as an important part of the team. l am not here to be looked at as a victim, but I also know that I am not the villain that people and the media have portrayed me to be these last few days."

She continued "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. There is nothing I take more seriously than the respect we deserve as women in the world. I know what it feels like to be body shamed on a daily basis and would absolutely never criticize or terminate an employee because of their weight.

'I'm hurt but I will not let the good work I've done in the world be overshadowed by this. I want to thank everyone who has reached out in support to lift me up during this difficult time.'

Lizzo is being sued by three former dancers, Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez. The singer, her production company Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc. (BGBT), and dance captain Shirlene Quigley have had a lawsuit filed against them and are being accused of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment according to Vulture. 

Legal action was filed in Los Angeles on Tuesday against Lizzo, whose real name is Melissa Viviane Jefferson, is best known for her music and championing self-love and body positivity.

Since the allegations emerged, the "Juice" hitmaker's former creative director and documentary filmmaker Sophia Nahli Allison Tweeted her experience working with Lizzo. Sophia wrote “In 2019, I travelled a bit with Lizzo to be the director of her documentary. I walked away after about 2 weeks. I was treated with such disrespect by her.”

Activist Ola Ojewumi recounted her own experience with the singer describing how Lizzo and her team invited a man onstage after witnessing him trample her (Ola) while she was sitting in her wheelchair. 

Beyoncé recently left out Lizzo's name from her Renaissance tour version of the hit ‘Break My Soul’. Beyoncé usually lists a number of female artists that usually includes Lizzo. 

What is Lizzo's net worth?

Lizzo rose to fame after releasing her debut album Cuz I Love You in 2019. The album includes hit singles Juice, Tempo, and Truth Hurts and won a Grammy Award for Best Progressive R&B Album in 2020. With four studio albums and 23 hit singles and several sell-out tours Lizzo has earned an estimated net worth of $40 million. 

The singer has even stepped into acting with a role in Jennifer Lopez's movie Hustlers and as the voice for the animated character Lydia in Ugly Dolls. As well as body positivity and celebrating self-love Lizzo is an advocate for the LGBTQ community.