Lizzo’s Lawyer Says Star Will Sue Former Backup Dancers for “Malicious Prosecution”
Lizzo’s lawyer, Martin Singer, has announced that the singer intends to sue her former backup dancers for “malicious prosecution”. This comes after the dancers filed a lawsuit against Lizzo, accusing her of sexual harassment and fostering a hostile work environment.
Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez, who were part of Lizzo’s Big Grrrls dance troupe, filed the lawsuit on 1 August. They claimed that Lizzo did not inform them that performers at the Crazy Horse cabaret in Paris would be naked, which allegedly “robbed them of the choice not to participate”. They also alleged that Lizzo pressured one of the plaintiffs into touching a nude performer at the Bananenbar strip club in Amsterdam.
In response to the lawsuit, Lizzo’s attorney Martin Singer issued a statement categorizing the claims as “specious” and announced their plan to sue for malicious prosecution once the claims are dismissed. Malicious prosecution refers to filing a lawsuit against someone even if the case has no merit.
Singer also included photos supposedly showcasing the plaintiffs with the performers after the topless show at the Crazy Horse cabaret in Paris. He claimed that the images prove the dancers’ enjoyment and contradict their allegations.
However, Neama Rahmani, the lawyer representing the plaintiffs, dismissed Singer’s statement, stating that the dancers were depicted alongside Lizzo because they wanted to keep their jobs. Rahmani emphasized that they stand by every claim made in the lawsuit and are prepared for the trial.
Additionally, Rahmani highlighted a recent report in the Los Angeles Times, suggesting a pattern of mistreatment by Lizzo towards her employees. The article discusses how Lizzo allegedly used intimate footage of her dancers without their approval in the 2022 HBO Max documentary “Love Lizzo”.
Rahmani dismissed Singer’s threats as “empty” and expressed confidence in their case. They stated that they have no plans to back down and challenged Singer to prove his claims in a courtroom instead of the media.
The lawsuit against Lizzo and her subsequent countersuit for malicious prosecution are expected to continue as the legal battle unfolds.