Current:Home > FinanceLizzo’s Former Creative Director and Documentary Filmmaker Speak Out Against Singer -Mastery Money Tools
Lizzo’s Former Creative Director and Documentary Filmmaker Speak Out Against Singer
View
Date:2025-04-15 18:17:47
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! (74168)
Related
- Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
- Kim Kardashian’s Daughter North West Introduces Her Rapper Name in New Kanye West Song
- Aimed at safety, Atlantic City road narrowing accelerates fears of worse traffic in gambling resort
- The AP names its five Breakthrough Entertainers of 2023
- Average rate on 30
- Ricardo Drue, soca music star, dies at 38: 'This is devastating'
- Philips CPAP users can now file for piece of proposed $479 million settlement. Here's how to apply.
- When do babies roll over? What parents need to know about this milestone.
- San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo
- After mistrial, feds move to retry ex-Louisville cop who fired shots in Breonna Taylor raid
Ranking
- Meta donates $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund
- Dancing With the Stars' Samantha Harris Says Producers Wanted Her to Look “Pasty and Pudgy”
- Minnie Driver Was “Devastated” When Matt Damon Brought Date to Oscars Weeks After Their Breakup
- A volcano on Hawaii’s Big Island is sacred to spiritual practitioners and treasured by astronomers
- DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
- The Best Haircare Products That’ll Make Your Holiday Hairstyle Look Flawless and On Point
- Biden considers new border and asylum restrictions as he tries to reach Senate deal for Ukraine aid
- 6 killed in reported shootout between drug cartels in northern Mexico state of Zacatecas
Recommendation
South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
Bulgaria dismantles a Soviet army monument that has dominated the Sofia skyline since 1954
Warriors' Draymond Green ejected for striking Suns center Jusuf Nurkic in head
Bear killed after biting man and engaging in standoff with his dog in Northern California
Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
Take the Lead this Holiday Season with Jenna Dewan's Super Gift Ideas
Washington state college student dies and two others are sickened in apparent carbon monoxide leak
How Tennessee's high-dosage tutoring is turning the tide on declining school test scores