In brief
A recent ruling permits ongoing litigation against Lizzo’s company amid accusations of a toxic work environment involving claims from former employees.
In a significant legal development, Lizzo has achieved a preliminary victory in her ongoing dispute with wardrobe assistant Asha Daniels, who alleged racial and sexual harassment during her time working on the singer's tour in 2023. A Los Angeles federal judge ruled on Monday that Daniels could not pursue Lizzo as an individual, citing that Lizzo's touring and payroll companies were her actual employers. Consequently, Lizzo's production company, Big Grrrl Big Touring Inc, will continue to be included as a defendant in the case.This ruling comes as U.S. District Judge Fernando L Aenlle-Rocha dismissed all seven claims against Lizzo and her tour manager, Carlina Gugliotta. The judge's decision partly stemmed from the fact that Daniels worked in Europe during the tour, where U.S. employment laws do not apply.Daniels claims that Lizzo fostered an unsafe and sexually charged atmosphere throughout her work environment. These assertions have been firmly denied by the singer and her legal team, who characterize the suit as a "frivolous publicity stunt." The singer's spokesperson described Daniels as a "disgruntled" ex-employee with "baseless and sensational" allegations.Lizzo, renowned for her hits like "Truth Hurts" and "Juice" and celebrated for promoting body positivity, has faced similar accusations in the past. In August 2022, a group of her former dancers filed a lawsuit against her, alleging sexual harassment and body shaming incidents that occurred between 2021 and 2023. The dancers are seeking a jury trial, while Lizzo continues to request the dismissal of their allegations.In April, Lizzo reassured her fans that she would not be exiting the public eye after earlier alluding to her frustration with the negative attention surrounding her image. "When I say 'I quit', I mean I quit giving any negative energy attention," she clarified in a video message, underscoring her commitment to her career and artistic expression.
