Grammy award-winning artist Lizzo finds herself once again in the midst of controversy as she is sued by a former tour employee for incidents involving racial harassment, sexual harassment, and other disturbing allegations. The lawsuit, filed by Asha Daniels, sheds light on inappropriate working conditions and mistreatment on Lizzo’s tour.
Key Takeaway
Lizzo is facing a lawsuit brought by a former tour employee, Asha Daniels, who alleges racial harassment, sexual harassment, and other mistreatment. The lawsuit highlights a concerning work environment during Lizzo’s tour.
Allegations of Inappropriate Working Conditions
Asha Daniels, hired to work in the wardrobe department of Lizzo’s tour in 2023, claims that she endured grueling work hours, often working from 6 AM to 2 AM with no breaks. Additionally, she alleges that she was subjected to racist and fatphobic comments from a member of Lizzo’s team, Amanda Nomura.
Racist and Fatphobic Comments
Daniels, an African-American woman, states that Nomura repeatedly made derogatory comments towards Black women on the tour, referring to them as “dumb,” “useless,” and “fat.” The hostile work environment further extended to Nomura dictating Daniels’ attire, forbidding her from dressing in a way that may cause jealousy from Lizzo due to her boyfriend’s presence.
Physical Injury and Repercussions
Daniels recounts an incident where she suffered an ankle injury caused by Nomura rolling a clothing rack over it. Despite her swollen ankle, Daniels was criticized for wearing comfortable shoes, such as Crocs, and was instructed to wear tennis shoes instead. In addition to physical harm, she claims the experience has left her with ongoing anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as migraines, ocular distortions, brain fog, and fatigue.
Attempts to Address the Issue
Daniels asserts that she reported the mistreatment to Lizzo’s management team, with Lizzo’s tour manager, Carlina Gugliotta, suggesting she secretly record Nomura’s conduct. However, Daniels found this to be an unethical solution. Despite raising her concerns to Gugliotta, Daniels was ultimately fired before her contract’s end date.
A Repeating Pattern
It is worth noting that Lizzo was previously sued last month by three former employees, who alleged sexual harassment, claiming they were forced to attend sex shows and experienced uncomfortable work situations. It is noteworthY that Daniels is now represented by the same lawyer, Neama Rahmani, who represented the plaintiffs from the previous lawsuit.
Lizzo’s Response
Lizzo’s spokesperson, Stefan Friedman, responded to the lawsuit, calling it a “bogus absurd publicity-stunt.” Lizzo herself has vehemently denied the claims made by the previous employees, stating that they were “unbelievable” and “outrageous.”
The Lawsuit and Damages
Daniels seeks justice through her lawsuit, filing charges of sexual harassment, racial harassment, disability discrimination, and more. She is seeking damages including unpaid wages, loss of earnings, and other compensation.
As this legal battle unfolds, the allegations against Lizzo shed light on the importance of addressing workplace mistreatment and harassment, no matter the industry or status of those involved.
Originally Published – 8:55 AM PT
