Current:Home > reviewsLizzo’s Former Creative Director and Documentary Filmmaker Speak Out Against Singer -WealthTrail Solutions
Lizzo’s Former Creative Director and Documentary Filmmaker Speak Out Against Singer
View
Date:2025-04-12 09:32:15
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! (69)
Related
- Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie return for an 'Encore,' reminisce about 'The Simple Life'
- Southwest Airlines under pressure from a big shareholder shakes up its board
- 'SNL' star Chloe Troast exits show, was 'not asked back'
- 'American Ninja Warrior' Vance Walker on grueling back-to-back victories: 'So difficult'
- Sonya Massey's family keeps eyes on 'full justice' one month after shooting
- Living and dying in America’s hottest big city: One week in the Phoenix heat
- 15-year-old North Dakota runaway shot, killed in Las Vegas while suspect FaceTimed girl
- Missouri handler charged in hot car death of of K-9 officer: Reports
- Illinois Gov. Pritzker calls for sheriff to resign after Sonya Massey shooting
- Huddle Up to Learn How Olivia Culpo and Christian McCaffrey Became Supportive Teammates
Ranking
- USA men's volleyball mourns chance at gold after losing 5-set thriller, will go for bronze
- New Hampshire primary voters to pick candidates for short but intense general election campaigns
- 49ers vs. Jets Monday Night Football live updates: Odds, predictions, how to watch
- Watch this mom fight back tears when she sees all of her kids finally home after 9 years
- Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
- Georgia police clerk charged with stealing from her own department after money goes missing
- Revisiting Taylor Swift and Kanye West's MTV VMAs Feud 15 Years Later
- MTV VMAs: Riskiest Fashion Moments of All Time
Recommendation
Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
Wife of California inmate wins $5.6 million in settlement for strip search
Wisconsin Supreme Court weighs activist’s attempt to make ineligible voter names public
When heat hurts: ER doctors treat heatstroke, contact burns on Phoenix's hottest days
Tropical weather brings record rainfall. Experts share how to stay safe in floods.
Dakota Johnson Thought Energy Drink Celsius Was, Um, a Vitamin—And the Result Is Chaos
Wife of California inmate wins $5.6 million in settlement for strip search
Kentucky bourbon icon Jimmy Russell celebrates his 70th anniversary at Wild Turkey