Lizzo and Sophia Nahli Allison. Shutterstock (2)
Sophia Nahli Allison, who briefly labored with Lizzo on her behind-the-scenes tour documentary, is talking out about her expertise after the singer was accused of making a poisonous work setting.
“I often don’t touch upon something popular culture associated. However, in 2019, I traveled a bit with Lizzo to be the director of her documentary,” Allison, 36, wrote by way of Twitter on Tuesday, August 1. “I walked away after about 2 weeks. I used to be handled with such disrespect by her.”
Allison — who was nominated for an Academy Award in 2021 for her quick movie A Love Tune for Latasha — additional claimed that she discovered Lizzo, 35, to be “conceited, self-centered and unkind” all through their working relationship. “I used to be not protected and was thrown right into a sh—y state of affairs with little help,” she alleged in her social media put up. “My spirit mentioned to run as quick as you f—king can and I’m so grateful I trusted my intestine. I felt gaslit and was deeply damage, however I’ve healed.”
Allison was impressed to share her story after seeing allegations made by a number of of Liz’s former backup dancers. “Studying these experiences made me notice how harmful of a state of affairs it was. This type of abuse of energy occurs far too typically,” the filmmaker concluded.
Us Weekly confirmed on Tuesday that three dancers — Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez — filed a lawsuit in opposition to Lizzo after allegedly experiencing a hostile work setting, spiritual harassment, incapacity discrimination and sexual harassment. They even claimed that they felt pressured to take part in a nude picture shoot.
“Ms. Davis broke down in tears on set whereas struggling to decide on between a once-in-a-lifetime profession alternative and placing her physique on show in opposition to her will,” the lawsuit learn. “This expertise foreshadowed the sexually charged and uncomfortable setting Lizzo’s workers could be pressured to endure.”
Lizzo performs on the Glastonbury Competition on June 24, 2023. Anthony Harvey/Shutterstock
The dancers additionally alleged that Lizzo (actual identify Melissa Jefferson) invited them to go to the Pink Mild District together with her whereas on tour in Amsterdam. The trio felt “obligated” to attend out of concern of dropping their jobs on the tour, claiming that the outing “shortly received out of hand.”
“Lizzo started inviting solid members to take turns touching the nude performers, catching dildos launched from the performers’ vaginas, and consuming bananas protruding from the performers’ vaginas,” the performers claimed of their submitting. “Lizzo then turned her consideration to Ms. Davis and commenced pressuring Ms. Davis to the touch the breasts of one of many nude ladies performing on the membership.”
The trio’s lawyer, Ron Zambrano, additionally referred to as out Lizzo’s actions attributable to her body-positive platform.
“The gorgeous nature of how Lizzo and her administration crew handled their performers appears to go in opposition to every thing Lizzo stands for publicly, whereas privately she weight-shames her dancers and demeans them in methods that aren’t solely unlawful however completely demoralizing,” Zambrano mentioned in a Tuesday assertion.
Join Us Weekly’s free, every day e-newsletter and by no means miss breaking information or unique tales about your favourite celebrities, TV exhibits and extra!
Lizzo, for her half, has not publicly addressed the allegations. Us Weekly has reached out for remark.
