Current:Home > StocksLizzo’s Former Creative Director and Documentary Filmmaker Speak Out Against Singer -MacroWatch
Lizzo’s Former Creative Director and Documentary Filmmaker Speak Out Against Singer
View
Date:2025-04-12 15:50:51
Lizzo is facing more "hostile" work environment accusations.
Shortly after three of the singer's former dancers filed a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment and weight-shaming, more of Lizzo's former collaborators are speaking out about their own experiences.
Filmmaker Sophia Nahli Allison said she underwent mistreatment while she was briefly director of the 2022 documentary Love, Lizzo. "In 2019, I traveled a bit with Lizzo to be the director of her documentary," Sophia tweeted on Aug. 1. "I walked away after about 2 weeks. I was treated with such disrespect by her."
Calling the Grammy winner "arrogant, self-centered and unkind," Sophia said she was thankful to have walked away when she did.
"I was not protected and was thrown into a s--ty situation with little support," Sophia added. "My spirit said to run as fast as you f--king can and I'm so grateful I trusted my gut. I felt gaslit and was deeply hurt, but I've healed."
E! News has reached out to Lizzo's rep for comment on the allegation and has not heard back.
While showing support to plaintiffs Crystal Williams, Arianna Davis and Noelle Rodriguez, Sophia slammed Lizzo in a follow-up tweet accusing her of cultivating an "extremely toxic and hostile working environment" that "undermines the work, labor, and authority of other Black and brown womxn in the process."
She then referenced Doug Pray, the filmmaker who replaced her on the project, adding in parenthesis, "Notice how the documentary ended up being directed by a cis white man."
Sophia called out Lizzo for her past as a champion for body positivity and self-love, stating the singer was a "narcissist bully" who "built her brand off of lies." She added, "I was excited to support and protect a Black woman through the documentary process but quickly learned her image and 'message' was a curated facade."
Courtney Hollinquest, another former dancer who is not part of the lawsuit, further noted on her Instagram Story that the allegations raised against Lizzo were "very much my experience in my time there."
Lizzo's former creative director Quinn Whitney Wilson also reposted Courtney's message, praising the three dancers for sharing their side of the story.
"I haven't been apart of that world for around three years, for a reason," Quinn wrote on her Instagram Story. "I very much applaud the dancers courage to bring this to light. and I grieve parts of my own experience."
Referencing their shared experience, Courtney then sent a message back to Quinn, writing in a separate post, "my sister forever only a few know what we've been through … love u Quinn."
In addition to Lizzo, the dancers are also suing her production company Big Grrrl Big Touring and dance captain Shirlene Quigley, who they alleged would proselytize about her Christian views and overshare "detailed stories about her masturbatory habits and sexual fantasies."
E! News reached out to Lizzo's rep and Quigley for comment on the lawsuit but hasn't heard back.
Another alleged incident listed in the lawsuit included a February 2023 visit to Amsterdam's Red Light District, where Lizzo arranged for a group outing at an adult club, which the dancers said they felt obligated to attend. During the night, the plaintiffs accused Lizzo of "inviting cast members to take turns touching the nude performers," as well as pressuring Arianna to participate when the dancer said she repeated three times her desire not to.
A few months later, Arianna said in the lawsuit that she was confronted by Lizzo and choreographer Tanisha Scott of not being committed to her job, which, to the dancer, felt like "thinly veiled concerns" about her weight gain. Even though the sentiments were never explicitly mentioned, Arianna said in the lawsuit that she felt like she "needed to explain her weight gain and disclose intimate personal details about her life in order to keep her job."
The dancers are seeking damages for emotional distress, unpaid wages, loss of earnings and attorney's fees.
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (15)
Related
- Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
- Gathering of 10,000 hippies in forest shut down as Rainbow Family threatened with jail
- Taylor Swift plays song for eighth time during acoustic set in Dublin
- Alec Baldwin headed to trial after judge rejects motion to dismiss charge
- Tom Holland's New Venture Revealed
- ESPN's Dick Vitale diagnosed with cancer for fourth time
- Tim Scott has benefited from mentors along the way. He’s hoping for another helping hand
- Evacuation orders lifted for some Arizona residents forced from their homes days ago by a wildfire
- US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
- Argentina vs. Peru live updates: Will Messi play? How to watch Copa América match tonight
Ranking
- Federal hiring is about to get the Trump treatment
- Surprise! Taylor Swift performs 'Tortured Poets' track in Ireland for the first time
- Justin Timberlake seems to joke about DWI arrest at Boston concert
- The high price of summer: Daycare and camp costs are rising. Here's how to save money
- Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
- T.I. & Tiny’s Daughter Heiress Adorably Steals the Show at 2024 BET Awards
- Yung Miami Leaves Little to the Imagination on 2024 BET Awards Red Carpet
- More WestJet flight cancellations as Canadian airline strike hits tens of thousands of travelers
Recommendation
Moving abroad can be expensive: These 5 countries will 'pay' you to move there
Taylor Swift dedicates acoustic song to Stevie Nicks in Dublin: ‘She's a hero of mine’
Omarosa slams Donald Trump's 'Black jobs' debate comments, compares remarks to 'slavery'
‘A Quiet Place’ prequel box office speaks volumes as Costner’s Western gets a bumpy start
Federal hiring is about to get the Trump treatment
An English bulldog named Babydog makes a surprise appearance in a mural on West Virginia history
Surprise! Taylor Swift performs 'Tortured Poets' track in Ireland for the first time
3 NBA veterans on notice after 2024 draft: Donovan Clingan in, Blazers' Deandre Ayton out?