Entertainment

Lizzo Breaks Silence on Sexual Harassment Accusations: “I Am Not the Villain” on August 3, 2023 at 9:49 pm The Hollywood Gossip

Published

2 years ago

August 3, 2023

Lizzo is speaking out in her own defense.

A couple days after former backup dancers filed an explosive lawsuit against the artist — which included claims of sexual harassment and mistreatment — Lizzo has issued a statement in which she denies all wrongdoing.

On August 3, the “About Damn Time” singer used her Instagram account to label these accusations as “too outrageous” not to address.

She then responded to them at length.

Lizzo performs at Qudos Bank Arena on July 23, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Getty)

“These last few days have been gut wrenchingly difficult and overwhelming disappointing,” Lizzo’s message on Instagram began.

“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.”

The aforementioned legal papers were filed on Tuesday in Los Angeles County Superior Court against Lizzo, her production company, Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc., and her dance team captain, Shirlene Quigley.

Lizzo attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Getty)

In this suit, three women named Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez claim they were pressured by Lizzo into touching nude performers at a club in Amsterdam; and were also subjected to weight shaming.

Continued Lizzo in reply:

“These sensationalized stories are coming from former employees who have already publicly admitted that they were told their behavior on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional.

“As an artist I have always been very passionate about what I do. I take my music and my performances seriously because at the end of the day I only want to put out the best art that represents me and my fans.”

(Instagram)

All of the women allege they were fired this spring by Lizzo.

They claim the four-time Grammy award winner let one go due to a poor attitude and fired another (after “berating” her) because she recorded Lizzo giving her performance notes, only to quickly delete the video when she realized her mistake.

In one shocking portion of the civil complaint, the trio allege that their bosses took them to a sex show in Amsterdam, at which they were forced to eat a banana from a performer’s vagina.

They also say they were forced to work “grueling” 12-hour days and were falsely accused of infractions such as drinking on the job, while being mocked and made to feel badly about their figures.

Lizzo visits Kiss FM at 1 Golden Square on February 13, 2023 in London, England. (Getty)

“With passion comes hard work and high standards. Sometimes I have to make hard decisions but it’s never my intention to make anyone feel uncomfortable or like they aren’t valued as an important part of the team,” added Lizzo on Thursday.

“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.

“I am very open with my sexuality and expressing myself but I cannot accept or allow people to use that openness to make me out to be something I am not.”

The lawsuit also accuses dance captain Quigley of shaming those who engaged in premarital sex, proselytizing those around her and “oversharing her masturbatory habits and sex life with her husband.”

Lizzo performs during the 2023 Governors Ball Music Festival at Flushing Meadows Corona Park, New York City, on June 9 2023. (Getty)

“There is nothing I take more seriously than the respect we deserve as women in the world,” Lizzo says now.

“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.”

She concluded as follows:

“I’m hurt but I will not let the good work I’ve done in this world be overshadowed by this.

“I want to thank everyone who has reached out in support to lift me up during this difficult time.”

Lizzo Breaks Silence on Sexual Harassment Accusations: “I Am Not the Villain” was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

Lizzo is here to deny all allegations against her. The singer says she is not guilty or harassing any former backup dancers.
Lizzo Breaks Silence on Sexual Harassment Accusations: “I Am Not the Villain” was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

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Entertainment

The Rising Trend of Immigrant-Driven Police Car Destruction

Published

19 hours ago

February 4, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

Recent events have highlighted a concerning trend of police vehicle damage and theft during immigration-related protests. On February 3, 2025, a demonstration against federal immigration policies in Arizona’s West Valley turned violent, resulting in significant property damage and a brazen act of police vehicle theft.

Escalation of Protests

The protest, which began peacefully, escalated as the crowd grew to approximately 1,000 people. By 7:30 PM, demonstrators had taken over the intersection of 67th Avenue and Camelback Road, setting off fireworks and engaging in unruly behavior. As the situation deteriorated, some protesters began throwing rocks, concrete chunks, and glass bottles at officers.

Police Vehicle Theft and Damage

In a shocking turn of events, one protester managed to steal a police patrol vehicle. According to a Glendale Police spokesperson, the suspect “jumped into one of our patrol vehicles and drove it a short distance before it was quickly recovered”. This incident underscores the heightened tensions and bold actions taken by some demonstrators.

The damage was not limited to this single act of theft. Five marked patrol vehicles sustained significant damage, including:

Broken windows
Slashed tires
Body and hood dents

Wider Impact and Response

The unrest spread beyond law enforcement targets. Multiple civilian vehicles and area businesses also suffered damage, and a large storage container behind a business complex was set on fire. To regain control of the situation, authorities deployed chemical agents around 10:15 PM to disperse what they termed an “unlawful assembly”.

Context of Immigration Tensions

This incident occurs against the backdrop of heightened immigration enforcement efforts by the Trump administration. Recent directives have led to an aggressive increase in arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with officials aiming to detain 1,200 to 1,500 individuals daily. This policy shift has sparked protests in multiple cities across the United States, including Los Angeles, Houston, and Atlanta.

Conclusion

The theft and destruction of police vehicles during immigration protests represent a troubling escalation in civil unrest. While the majority of demonstrators express their views peacefully, these incidents highlight the potential for violence and property damage when tensions run high. Law enforcement agencies and community leaders face the challenge of balancing public safety with the right to protest as the debate over immigration policies continues to intensify.

Bolanle Media covers a wide range of topics, including film, technology, and culture. Our team creates easy-to-understand articles and news pieces that keep readers informed about the latest trends and events. If you’re looking for press coverage or want to share your story with a wider audience, we’d love to hear from you! Contact us today to discuss how we can help bring your news to life

Entertainment

Beyoncé Rewrites Grammy History

Published

1 day ago

February 4, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

Historic Achievements

First Black woman to win Album of the Year in the 21st century
First Black woman to win a country music award since the Pointer Sisters in 1974, winning Best Country Album for Cowboy Carter

Emotional Moment
During her Album of the Year acceptance speech, Beyoncé was initially frozen in place until her daughter Blue Ivy nudged her to approach the stage. She dedicated the award to Linda Martell, the pioneering Black country artist, saying, “I hope we keep pushing forward and opening doors.”

By the Numbers

35-time Grammy Award winner
Nominated for 11 awards this year
Won three awards total, tying with Charli XCX

Notable Quotes
“I just feel very full and very honored. It’s been many, many years,” Beyoncé said, thanking the Grammys, songwriters, collaborators, and producers. She also specifically acknowledged the Los Angeles firefighters who were present at the ceremony.

The win was particularly emotional, with fellow artists like Lady Gaga and Billie Eilish visibly moved by her historic achievement.

Entertainment

Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’ Dominates 2025 Grammys

Published

1 day ago

February 4, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

Kendrick Lamar dominated the 67th Grammy Awards, held on February 2, 2025, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The rapper swept all five categories he was nominated in, including the prestigious Song of the Year and Record of the Year awards for his track “Not Like Us”.

“Not Like Us,” a diss track aimed at Drake, became the de facto song of 2024 when it was released in May, topping the Billboard singles charts. The song’s success at the Grammys further solidified Lamar’s position in his long-standing rivalry with Drake, with the track winning awards for Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance, and Best Music Video during the Premiere Ceremony.

Lamar’s acceptance speeches were notable for their focus on Los Angeles and its recovery efforts. During his acceptance for Record of the Year, he acknowledged various neighborhoods in Los Angeles and emphasized the ongoing wildfire recovery efforts. This aligned with the Grammy’s overall theme this year, which included raising funds for wildfire relief in the Los Angeles area.

The rapper’s victories come at a significant time in his career. Having released his album “GNX” in November, Lamar is now set to headline the Super Bowl halftime show next week. His Grammy success has further elevated his status in the hip-hop community and the music industry at large.

Lamar’s wins were not without controversy, however. The track “Not Like Us” is currently involved in a legal dispute initiated by Drake against Universal Music Group. Drake alleges that the label, which represents both him and Lamar, jeopardized his career by promoting the song.

Despite the controversy, Lamar’s clean sweep at the Grammys has cemented his place as one of the most influential and successful artists in contemporary music. His ability to combine critical acclaim with commercial success and cultural impact was on full display at this year’s ceremony.