These Lizzo Allegations Are Distressing – But They Should Be Judged Responsibly
Lizzo is everyone’s bestie. The American star’s hard-fought battle to the top is one of modern music’s true slow-burn success stories, with 2019 album ‘Cuz I Love You’ – her third, at that point – becoming a breakout moment. The music was riveting, teasing her rap-infused songwriting in openly pop directions, but so much of the appeal lay beyond this – it was what Lizzo represented that truly counted.
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Since then, her star has risen almost continuously. A beacon for woman who felt excluded from unhealthy body narratives, Lizzo exuded positivity. She rose to incredible heights, too – selling out London’s The O2 Arena twice over, hitting Glastonbury, and winning both BRIT and Grammy Awards. Through her social media accounts or her flute-twirling live performances, Lizzo seemed to be the BFF we were all lacking in our lives.
That’s perhaps why the past few days have been so unsettling for so many people. Dancers Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez have brought legal proceedings against Lizzo and dance captain Shirlene Quigley, alleging sexual harassment, racial discrimination and fostering a hostile work environment. Indeed, in a whiplash-inducing turn away from Lizzo’s body positive message, Davis alleged she was fat-shamed by the American star.
The full law suit has been disseminated by media, the details shared online. In an initial interview with CBS, Crystal Williams said: “If there’s anything that I can do in my power to ensure that dancers or singers or whoever decides to work with her don’t have to go through that same experience, I’m going to do that.”
The news sparked a colossal conversation online. In a worrying update to the initial claims, film maker Sophia Nahli Allison said she walked away from a joint project with Lizzo due to the stars “arrogant, self-centered, and unkind” behaviour. Allison added she was “thrown into a sh*tty situation with little support.”
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Put simply, the allegations are appalling. It’s behaviour no one should have to put up with in the work -lace, and completely punctures Lizzo’s own personal brand. Yet while fans have a right to feel distressed, we must let the story unfold and due process take place. The online backlash has been instantaneous, unleashing a feeling that some people were just waiting for this moment, just waiting for someone to stumble.
In a way, it’s the inherent ugliness of the online domain, the anonymity of social media accelerating a very human darkness. It’s also simply mirroring the everyday toxicity Lizzo’s brand was designed to act against – much of the commentary is rooted in fatphobia and body-shaming, while the stain of misogynoir can be found roving open and distressingly free.
According to reports Lizzo lost more than 124,000 Instagram followers in little more than 24 hours, meaning that many fans didn’t wait for her own statement. Released a few moments ago, she calls the past few days “gut-wrenchingly difficult and overwhelmingly disappointing”.
Dismissing the claims, Lizzo writes: “Usually I choose not to respond to false allegations but these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous to not be addressed.”
She adds: “I am not here to be looked at as a victim, but I also know that I am not the villain that people and the media have portrayed me to be these last few days.”
Ultimately, given the gravity of the claims it’s doubtful that – even if they are dismissed – the Lizzo brand can ever truly recover. When an artist is taken to such heights, there is a need for their own behaviour to be cleaner than clean, to exceed the conversations around them. If even a small portion of these claims are true, then Lizzo has let herself down. But that’s not for us to judge – these women have taken their claims to court, where their voices will be heard. Lizzo, too, will be granted time to respond. Due process should be observed, and the debate around Lizzo should continue, but in a manner that does not throw the ideals women sought from her to the wolves.
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Words: Robin Murray
