Lizzo’s Ex-Backup Dancers Say The Singer Is ‘Gaslighting’ Them

Lizzo’s former backup dancers are sharing their reactions after the singer denied their latest allegations of sexual harassment and weight shaming. As The Shade Room beforehand reported, the three girls filed a swimsuit towards Lizzo, her manufacturing firm, and the singer’s dance caption earlier this week.

RELATED: WATCH: Lizzo Calls Harassment Lawsuit ‘False Allegations,’ Dancers Detail Their Accusations In Video Interviews

Lizzo’s Former Backup Dancers Tackle The Singer’s Denial Of Their Accusations

The three plaintiffs of the swimsuit, Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez, sat down for an unique interview with Entertainment Tonight Thursday afternoon. Throughout the interview, Williams defined that she feels Lizzo has “basically” tried to gaslight the plaintiffs together with her response to their accusations.

“I feel for me; it’s simply very attention-grabbing to be so open and real concerning the trauma that we skilled and to be open concerning the harm that she precipitated us, for her to [respond back by] basically gaslighting us…”

Williams defined that Lizzo’s response to their accusations didn’t tackle “any” of their claims “[directly].” Nor did the singer’s response try and take accountability on any stage.

“She by no means acknowledged any of the claims [directly] that we have now introduced ahead to the desk. And so for it to be met with that, it simply sort of solidifies the sample that each time we deliver up a problem, each time we advocate for ourselves… we’re met with retaliation as a substitute of ‘OK, you skilled this. As an artist and what I signify, I don’t need you to really feel like I don’t care about you. I don’t need you to really feel like I don’t wish to embody you. I don’t need you to really feel like I’m body-shaming you. If that is what you’re feeling, I’d fully disagree with you however, I can not less than attempt to hear you out to see how we are able to go transferring ahead.’”

Nonetheless, Williams continued by explaining that they “weren’t met with that.” Moreover, she added that she, Davis, and Rodriguez are “always being gaslit,” and Lizzo is “always deflecting.”

“So it simply additional proves our level and solidifies the claims that we’re making.”

The Plaintiffs’ Legal professional Shares His Ideas On The Singer’s Response To Their Accusations

The outlet additionally spoke with the plaintiffs’ lawyer, Ron Zambrano, who believes Lizzo’s response is “a public admission” and “failed protection.”

“A part of her assertion [was] like, ‘You recognize [I’m] very open about my sexuality,’ which I believed that was an odd factor to say if you’re speaking about allegations [concerning] such blatant sexual conduct. So it’s sort of she’s [saying], ‘Pay attention, I’m sexual and I advised you about it, so it’s important to cope with it,’ proper? It’s about her,” Zambrano advised the outlet.

Moreover, he added that — equally to Williams — that Lizzo’s response failed to indicate empathy for the ladies.

“And I additionally assume it’s a failure as a result of she had the chance to be like, ‘My model is about inclusivity [and] empathy, and I empathize with these girls’s emotions despite the fact that I disagree with our variations of the identical occasion.’”

Ariana Davis then stepped in so as to add additional context to Zambrano’s sentiment.

“So think about… being put on this surroundings and your hero, or somebody you seemed as much as, not being who they are saying they’re however then persevering with to be checked out as this superb individual and figuring out that it’s all performative… [it’s the] most excruciating ache to be silenced…”

Extra Particulars Relating to The Singer’s Response & The Dancers’ Lawsuit

As The Shade Room beforehand reported, on Tuesday, August 1, the three dancers filed the lawsuit towards Lizzo, Massive Grrrl Massive Touring, Inc., and Lizzo’s dance captain, Shirlene Quigley.

Within the lawsuit, the group alleged that “how Lizzo and her administration workforce handled their performers appears to go towards the whole lot Lizzo stands for publicly.” Moreover, the swimsuit added that the singer “privately” weight shames her dancers “and demeans them in methods that aren’t solely unlawful however completely demoralizing.”

The swimsuit additionally included cases the place the singer allegedly compelled her dancers to the touch “nude performers” and “eat bananas protruding from the performers’ vaginas” at an Amsterdam strip membership.

“Plaintiffs had been aghast with how little regard Lizzo confirmed for the bodily autonomy of her staff and people round her, particularly within the presence of many individuals whom she employed.”

On Thursday, Lizzo took to social media to share her first public assertion in response to the allegations.

“These previous few days have been gut-wrenchingly tough and overwhelmingly disappointing. My work ethic, morals, and respectfulness have been questioned. My character has been criticized. Often, I select not to answer false allegations, however these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous to not be addressed.”

The singer continued by explaining that she is just not a “villain” or “sufferer,” including that she has been “very open” together with her sexuality. Nonetheless, she won’t permit others to “use that openness” to make her “out to be one thing” she is just not.

“I’m not right here to be checked out as a sufferer, however I additionally know that I’m not the villain that folks and the media have portrayed me to be these previous few days. I’m very open with my sexuality and expressing myself, however I can not settle for or permit folks to make use of that openness to make me out to be one thing I’m not…”

Lizzo concluded her assertion by explaining that she takes respect for different girls “significantly” and would by no means physique disgrace one other individual.

“There may be nothing I take extra significantly than the respect we deserve as girls on the earth. I do know what it feels prefer to be physique shamed each day and would completely by no means criticize or terminate an worker due to their weight.”

Roomies, what do you consider this?