Lizzo has faced some serious claims from her former employees (Picture: Astrida Valigorsky/Getty Images)
Lizzo reportedly felt ‘blindsided’ by the accusations brought against her by her backing dancers, a source has claimed.
The pop star, 35, is facing a lawsuit from three of her dancers – Crystal Williams, Arianna Davis, and Noelle Rodriguez – for alleged sexual harassment, creating a hostile work environment, and discrimination.
Since the news broke, insiders have claimed that Lizzo is in shock at the allegations.
‘She’s been building and building her life and career, and getting achievement after achievement. It blindsided her and her team and is a wake-up call that all of that can be instantly diminished by something like this, just overnight,’ a source told People.
Earlier this week, Lizzo broke her silence on the allegations with an Instagram saying the last few days had been ‘gut-wrenchingly difficult.’
‘These last few days have been gut-wrenchingly difficult and overwhelming disappointing,’ her post on Instagram began.
Three of her former backing dancers have accused the singer of alleged sexual harassment, creating a hostile work environment, and discrimination (Picture: Jim Bennett/Getty Images)
Lizzo took to her Instagram page to blast the claims (Picture: Instagram)
‘My work ethic, morals, and respectfulness have been questioned. My character has been criticized. Usually, I choose not to respond to false allegations but these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous not to be addressed.
She claimed the comments from her former dancers were ‘sensationalized stories’ and that they were told their ‘behaviour on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional.’
The post continued: ‘The sensationalized stories are coming from former employees who have already publicly admitted they were told their behavior on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional.
‘There is nothing I take more seriously than the respect we deserve as women in the world. I know what it feels like to be body shamed on a daily basis and would absolutely never criticize or terminate an employee because of their weight.
Lizzo has faced accusations from Arianna Davis (pictured above) Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez (Picture: Instagram)
‘I’m hurt but I will not let the good work I’ve done in the world be overshadowed by this. I want to thank everyone who has reached out in support to lift me up during this difficult time.’
Ronald Zambrano – the lawyer for Lizzo’s accusers – has claimed that Lizzo is very different in private to how she acts in public.
‘The theme that I’m hearing is that there’s an external persona that Lizzo presents, inclusivity and come as you are, but in private, it was very different. And that’s what came across to me in talking to these young ladies. Lizzo was very different privately,’ he told People.
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He further revealed that more people have come forward with their own similar stories.
Representatives for Lizzo, Crystal Williams, Arianna Davis, and Noelle Rodriguez have been contacted for comment.
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The source claimed the allegations were a ‘wake up call’ for Lizzo and her team.