The famous singer Lizzo is being sued, yet again, by a former employee. This employee claims she was picked on and bullied.
Asha Daniels is a 35-year-old fashion designer who made some pieces for Lizzo’s dancers on tour. On Thursday, the lawyer of Asha Daniels filed a lawsuit against the singer and her team members including her wardrobe manager.
Lawsuit statement
The lawsuit created came about a month after many of Lizzo’s tour dancers had already seemed to have made several lawsuits against the singer from incidents that happened in 2021 and 2023.
A new lawsuit that caught NBC’s attention, was the accusation of Amanda Nomura. (Lizzo’s wardrobe manager), who was calling out to the performers as “useless” and “fat.” Also, it was said she would force the team members to change in front of a crowd of white male crew members who would give dirty looks toward them, NBC reported.
According to the lawsuit, the former employee claims she saw Nomura and several other supervisors debating on hiring sex workers for lewd acts, participate in sex shows, and buy hardcore substances. She also stated she was pressured into joining the activity.
The suit insinuates:
- Nomura made statements, and/or physically threaten the crew.
- When she could not find her medication, she threaten members saying she would “kill a b**ch” and “stab a b**ch.”
- She assaulted a crew member after saying she was considering leaving.
- A local employee was denied lunch by Nomura for merely attempting to take a scheduled break.
Complaints
The complaint alleges that while Nomura was moving the clothing display, Daniels hurt her ankle. After switching to orthopedic shoes, she experienced pain. The Hollywood Reporter announced that Daniels was in fact forced to change into her tennis shoes right after.
Furthermore, Daniels also alleges that she endured to a demanding work schedule that included 20-hour shifts every day. She went on to say that Nomura “frequently denied her breaks” and “monitored and policed” team members under her direction.
Additionally, the tour manager Carlina Gugliotta, was told about the widespread racial and sexual harassment employees faced by superiors. Things like African American dancers being mocked and accommodations denied to them. However, Daniels stated her complaints had been overlooked and was fired before her contract expired.
As a result of the case a spokesperson for Lizzo, told NBC that Ron Zambrano (Daniels’ lawyer) tried to “sully” a humanitarian award she was receiving.
According to the spokesman, the complaint is a “bogus, absurd publicity stunt lawsuit” filed by someone who “never actually met or even spoke with Lizzo.”
Previous Denial to Lawsuits
Lizzo refuted the charges in an August statement, saying: “These advanced tales come from past staff members who have already openly confessed that their behavior on tour was considered not professional and misguided.” Also the singer has responded to allegations of sexual harassment made by several of her tour dancers. She calls their claims “sensationalized stories.”
Three of the singer’s tour dancers filed a lawsuit alleging that Lizzo sexually assaulted them and caused an adverse work environment through racial, religious, and sexual harassment between 2021 and 2023.
IAs a result, Lizzo stated on Thursday that the “last few days have been gut-wrenchingly terrible and overwhelmingly upsetting” on social media.
The previous lawsuit contends that Lizzo obligated a dancer to touch an unclothed performer at a club and ordered several dancers to participate in a “excruciating” 12-hour audition. It also claims that the singer’s dance captain, Shirlene Quigley, forced her Christian beliefs on performers and ridiculed those who had premarital sex. According to the lawsuit, Quigley discussed a performer’s virginity, and overshared intimate life with her husband.
Written by Angelika Cano
Sources:
The Guardian: Lizzo sued by another ex-employee over bullying and sexual harassment claims
NBC News: Lizzo sued by yet again another ex-employee for bullying and harassment claims
CBS News: Lizzo facing new lawsuit from former employee alleging harassment, discrimination
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