Lizzo has denied allegations lodged against her by three of her former dancers, including sexual harassment and the creation of a hostile work environment.
In a statement released on Thursday, the singer expressed her disappointment and the difficulty of the last few days.
This comes after a complaint was filed against Lizzo, whose real name is Melissa Viviane Jefferson, and her production company Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc (BGBT), on Tuesday.
The complaint also addresses alleged behavior from Shirlene Quigley, the captain of Lizzo’s dance team.
The three dancers – Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez – claim that they experienced sexual, religious, and racial harassment, disability discrimination, assault, and false imprisonment, among other allegations.
According to the plaintiffs’ representation, West Coast Employment Lawyers, Ms. Davis and Ms. Williams were fired, while Ms. Rodriguez resigned due to the “appalling behavior.”
In her statement, Lizzo said, “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 to not be addressed.
“These sensationalized stories are coming from former employees who have already admitted publicly that they were informed their behavior on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional.
“As an artist, I have always been incredibly passionate about what I do.
“I take my music and performances seriously because I strive to put out the best art that represents me and my fans.
“Passion goes hand in hand with hard work and high standards.
“Sometimes, I have to make tough decisions, but it is never my intention to make anyone feel uncomfortable or undervalued as a vital part of the team.
She added, “I am not here to be seen as a victim, but I also know that I am not the villain portrayed by people and the media in recent days.
“I am very open about my sexuality and expressing myself, but I cannot accept or permit people to use that openness to depict me as something I am not.
“There is nothing I take more seriously than the respect women deserve in the world.
“I know what it feels like to experience daily body shaming, and I would never criticize or terminate an employee based on their weight.
“I am hurt, but I will not let this overshadow the good work I have done in the world. I want to thank everyone who has supported and uplifted me during this challenging time.”