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Lizzo was previously sued by former wardrobe assistant, Asha Daniels, however, the case has now been dropped. The stylist claims she was subjected to racial and sexual harassment and a hostile work environment by members of the singer’s management team while on tour in 2023, as well as unpaid over time. Daniels also accused the dancer of being fatphobic towards her. Lizzo, known for tracks like Truth Hurts and Juice, built her reputation on body positivity, but last year found herself the subject of several similar accusations.
In a statement, Lizzo denied the rumors, calling them “absurd publicity stunt.” “These sensationalised stories are coming from former employees who have already publicly admitted that they were told their behaviour on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional.” Daniels’ claims came after a lawsuit by Lizzo’s three former employees, alleging that they were subjected to an unsafe working environment, fat shamed and sexual misconduct. Her lawyers, however, remained firm and described Daniels as a “disgruntled” former employee with “meritless and salacious” claims.
A Los Angeles federal judge ruled on Monday that wardrobe assistant Asha Daniels could not sue the Grammy winner as an individual, after identifying the singer’s touring and payroll companies as her employers, however, Big Grrrl Big Touring Inc remains a defendant in the ongoing case. US district judge Fernando L Aenlle-Rocha dismissed all seven causes of action against Lizzo, and those regarding her tour manager Carlina Gugliotta.
The judge also granted a partial motion to dismiss several of the claims due to the fact that Daniels worked for the company while on tour in Europe, where American employment laws do not apply.
Ron Zambrano, of the West Coast employment lawyers – Daniels’s attorney released a statement regarding the judge’s ruling. “The lawsuit is still very active and has not been dismissed. The ruling was not for lack of evidence, but rather on procedural jurisdictional grounds,” he said. “It by no means absolves Lizzo of the egregious claims that occurred on her watch. All individually named defendants were dismissed because of the jurisdictional limits of Title VII and FLSA claims that no individual can be liable for those claims.
The ruling does not reflect ”the merits of the claims,” Zambrano said, adding, “The lawsuit still moves forward against Lizzo’s company, Big Grrl Touring, as to all claims except for the overtime allegation.” This claim “was also dismissed for jurisdictional, not evidentiary reasons, given claims for unpaid overtime only apply for work done within the United States.”
