Lizzo is appealing the sexual harassment lawsuit filed against her by her former dancers, describing the complaint as an “attack” on her “First Amendment right to perform her music and advocate for body positivity.”
The explosive suit, filed in August 2023, accused the “Special” star of sexual harassment, discrimination, and creating a hostile work environment by Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez. While some accusations were dismissed, a judge granted the overall lawsuit to move toward a jury trial. Lizzo’s legal team urged an appeals court to overturn the ruling and dismiss the entire case in a filing last month.
“It is dangerous for the court to weigh in, ham-fisted, into constitutionally protected activity,” Judge Mark H. Epstein wrote. “But it is equally dangerous to turn a blind eye to allegations of discrimination or other forms of misconduct merely because they take place in a speech-related environment.”
Her attorneys suggested that Lizzo’s alleged behavior was part of her “artistic approach.” The filing read, “Plaintiffs’ suit [is] an attack on Lizzo’s First Amendment right to perform her music and advocate for body positivity. Rather than accept personal accountability, plaintiffs filed this shotgun action, taking aim at nearly every facet of Lizzo’s creative process.”
Her legal defense focuses around California’s anti-SLAPP law — a special statute that makes it easier to quickly end lawsuits that threaten free speech, Billboard reports. In an effort to dismiss the case under this law, Lizzo’s attorneys argued the dancers wanted to “silence” Lizzo and “weaponize” her creative expression against her.
One questionable instance in the initial claim was that Lizzo strongly urged for her dancers to attend a cabaret show in Amsterdam’s Red Light District and engage with the nude performers. Yet, her defense claimed that the ordeal was optional and directly tied to her “creative process.”
Lead attorney Marty Singer explained, “There’s no disagreement that Lizzo held these outings as a necessary part of her creative process. Early social gatherings during international tours (like the Bananenbar) are critical to team-building and fostering cohesion.” Lizzo’s defense feels law shouldn’t govern an artist’s creative process.
“Judges must not dissect the creative process to determine what was necessary to achieve the final product and what was not,” said her legal team. “By rejecting the artist’s proven experience for what is necessary to, and best enhances, her own art, the trial court stepped far outside its role.”
Lizzo has denied any wrongdoing, describing the allegation as “false” and “sensationalized.” The Grammy winner noted, “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.”
If Lizzo’s appeal is granted, the case will be dismissed. If the court sides with the plaintiffs, the case will continue toward a jury trial.
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