dancers Archives - New Hip Hop News

Lizzo Breaks Silence On Dismissal Of Sexual Harassment Lawsuit

December 19, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Lizzo recently reflected on facing bombshell sexual harassment lawsuits from her dancers and her former stylist during an appearance on the Baby, This Is Keke Palmer podcast. The latter case has since been dismissed with a judge in California ruling against the stylist, Asha Daniels. Daniels is still in the process of taking legal action against Lizzo’s touring and payroll companies, however.

“I was literally living in my dream, and then the tour ended, and three ex-dancers just completely, like, blindsided me with a lawsuit,” Lizzo told Palmer. “I was very deeply hurt because these were three ex-dancers, so they weren’t on the tour. They didn’t, like, finish the tour out with us. But even regardless of that, these were people that I gave opportunities to. These were people that — I liked them and appreciated them as dancers, respected them as dancers. So I was like, what? But then I heard all the other things like sexual harassment, and I was like, they’re trying well, I don’t know what they’re trying to do, but these are the types of things that the media can turn into something that it’s not.”

Lizzo Performs On Tour In Phoenix

Lizzo performs at Footprint Center in Phoenix on May 24, 2023, as part of her Special Tour. © Diannie Chavez/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Lizzo added that she has no regrets about the situation. “Let’s be clear, I did nothing wrong,” she argued. She said that the sexual harassment allegations, which she described as “silly,” offended her the most. The dancers, Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez, filed their lawsuit against Lizzo back in August 2023. They accused her of alleged sexual, religious, and racial harassment, as well as disability discrimination, assault, and false imprisonment. One of the dancers made headlines for alleging that Lizzo pressured them into touching naked dancers in Amsterdam’s iconic Red Light District.

Lizzo Speaks Out On Previous Lawsuit Against Her

Elsewhere in the interview, Lizzo confirmed that she’s already back at work on new music. “A lot of the music is me talking things through,” she said. “I remembered my purpose… I’m putting everything in my art.” Check out Lizzo’s full comments on the lawsuit below.

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Jenna Dewan Net Worth 2024: What Is The Actress-Dancer Worth?

April 16, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Jenna Dewan is an American actress, dancer, and producer. She has established a net worth of $30 million by 2024, as reported by TheRichest. Known for her dynamic presence in the entertainment industry, Dewan’s multifaceted career encompasses a range of performances from dance to acting in both film and television. Her journey from backup dancer to leading lady in various projects illustrates her versatility and commitment to her craft.

Dance Origins & Breakthrough in Film

Jenna Dewan’s professional career began in dance. She performed as a backup dancer for top music artists, including Janet Jackson and Missy Elliott. This foundational experience in high-energy performances and music videos paved the way for her transition into acting. Her breakthrough role came in 2006 when she starred in Step Up. It was a dance-focused film that became a cultural phenomenon. Further, her chemistry with co-star and future husband Channing Tatum was palpable. It helped to launch a successful franchise and solidify her status as a talented dancer and actress.

Expanding Into Acting & Television

Beyond her breakout in Step Up, Dewan continued to expand her acting portfolio with roles in films and television. She starred in series such as The Playboy Club and Witches of East End, showcasing her range beyond dance-centric roles. Her performance in Supergirl as Lucy Lane brought her into superhero television, appealing to a broad audience and adding another dimension to her acting credentials. Dewan’s ability to transition between genres—from drama to fantasy—demonstrates her adaptability and appeal as an actress.

Production Ventures & Personal Growth

In addition to her on-screen roles, Jenna Dewan has also made strides behind the scenes as a producer. Her work in this capacity includes the wellness-focused show The Rookie and other projects that align with her interests in health and well-being. Dewan’s approach to her career reflects a holistic perspective, incorporating her values into her professional endeavors and using her platform to promote wellness and positive lifestyle choices. Her entrepreneurial spirit in these ventures contributes significantly to her financial success and personal brand.

Jenna Dewan’s ability to seamlessly integrate her passion for dance with her acting and production projects has made her a prominent figure in Hollywood. With a net worth of $30 million in 2024, she exemplifies how diverse talents and a commitment to personal growth can lead to substantial success in the entertainment industry.

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Drake Calls Dancers On FaceTime To Give Them Money

February 4, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Drake is quite the generous soul, a quality that’s very easy but remarkable to have when you have so much money to send around. Moreover, a new clip emerged on social media of him FaceTiming some dancers to make sure they knew that he was the one who sent them oodles of cash. Given the vague and quick nature of this video, though, exactly what the Toronto superstar did here is a bit unclear. Was he really just calling to make sure his money went to the right people or did he do this big reveal where he called so he could see their reactions? Whether from a distance or right in your face, The Boy definitely lives up to that cringe feminist bar on Her Loss.

Furthermore, Drake has plenty of reasons to celebrate these days, so it’s natural for him to spread that joy. At press time, the Grammy Awards are in just a couple of hours, and he’s among the most nominated artists in the rap field. Of course, this is curious because of the 37-year-old’s reluctance to submit his material for Recording Academy consideration in the past, and also because of a particularly fitting matchup. The aforementioned 21 S*vage collab album will face off against Travis Scott’s UTOPIA in the Best Rap Album category, and fans shared a throwback pic of the two at the 2019 ceremony to reflect on this camaraderie and competition.

Drake Gives Out Cash Via FaceTime: Watch

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If you want to see our predictions for the hip-hop and R&B categories for this year’s Grammys, you can find those here. Overall, we’re not sure whether Drake’s past Grammys history will work in his favor or if it will dissuade voters from seeing the quality of tracks like “Rich Flex” and “Spin Bout U,” which are specifically nominated from Her Loss along with the whole album. There’s also steep competition in the form of Killer Mike’s star-studded “SCIENTISTS & ENGINEERS,” Nas’ excellent LP King’s Disease III, and more. We’ll see very soon whether there are any surprises in store or if the Recording Academy plays it safe.

Meanwhile, the “Wick Man” MC’s affinity for FaceTime calls extends to his collaborators, too. For example, he recently hit up Yeat via the video call feature, which got fans riled up for another team-up. “IDGAF” stunned many, so hopefully they can recapture and expand on that magic. On that note, stick around on HNHH for the latest news and updates on Drake.

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Lizzo’s Current Tour Staff Back Her In Lawsuit From Ex-Dancers

October 27, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Earlier this year Lizzo fans were shocked by the news that the R&B star was being sued by some of her ex-dancers. The details of the suit contained some concerning allegations of workplace harassment and even sexual misconduct against the singer and members of her team. Though she took her time releasing a follow-up, her legal team has been bustling since then. They’ve responded to every new development in the case and public perception is still very mixed.

Now, TMZ has found that 18 members of Lizzo’s current legal team have written statements standing by the singer for the case. One in particular specifically denied one of the claims in the lawsuit. Kiara Mooring refuted the claim that there were unspoken rules that dancers had to go out with the singer when invited. “This claim also makes no sense because plenty of the dancers (myself included) did not go to Bananenbar that night and we still have our job dancing with Lizzo.” That’s only the beginning of the testimony emerging from various dancers. They make statements aiming to poke holes in numerous claims made by the three ex-dancers in their original suit. Check out their full claims below.

Lizzo Defended By Current Staff

Despite the controversy, Lizzo has managed to carry on mostly unphased. She’s continued to deny all the allegations against her and began making public appearances again. Last month, she attended the Black Music Action Coalition Gala. During the event she accepted a humanitarian award with some of her remaining dancers on stage with her.

She’s also continued to receive support from some of her allies in the music industry. In an interview with Rolling Stone, SZA came to her defense. The pair are notoriously close friends and have collaborated on music before. While the “Kill Bill” singer was reluctant to comment on the legal matters much, she spoke positively of Lizzo’s personality and character when asked about her. What do you think of current Lizzo staffers having her back in the lawsuit brought by former employees? Let us know in the comment section below.

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New Photos Appear To Contradict Lizzo’s Accusers, Performer To Sue For “False” Allegations

August 23, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Lizzo’s been making headlines as of late after she was sued by three of her former backup dancers earlier this month. The dancers made some serious accusations against the performer, surrounding alleged sexual harassment and workplace misconduct. According to the suit, she fat-shamed one of them, and even pressured them to attend risqué nude performances and engage with entertainers in a suggestive way. The lawsuit managed to shake up Lizzo’s fanbase, who have known her to be a powerful advocate for body-positivity, woman empowerment, and more.

Following news of the lawsuit, several additional former employees have come forward with allegations against Lizzo. With that being said, she denies any wrongdoing, claiming that she’s being falsely characterized in the suit. She called the allegations “false,” stating that her “work ethic, morals and respectfulness” were being called into question. She received further backlash for the lack of accountability in her statement. The 35-year-old, however, is sticking to her guns. According to TMZ, Lizzo’s attorney Marty Singer has even shared plans to hit the dancers with their own lawsuit.

Dancers Were “Happily Cavorting Backstage,” Lizzo’s Attorney Says

Lizzo plans to sue the backup dancers who are taking her to court, according to @TMZ.

Her attorney says the new surfaced photos show Lizzo’s accusers returned to the topless cabaret a month later and took photos with the performers. pic.twitter.com/IgE2XQa9im

— Juice Pop (@TheJuicePop) August 23, 2023

New photos show Lizzo’s dancers backstage at one of the nude shows mentioned in the lawsuit. The photos were taken around a month after the alleged incident, showing the dancers returning for another evening out. According to Singer, the photos tell a different story than what was portrayed in the suit. He claims the dancers were “happily cavorting backstage,” and “gleefully reveling” in the show. They appear to be smiling and enjoying themselves in the photos, but that’s not to say their allegations are false.

“Of course, they wanted to keep their jobs,” the dancers’ attorney Neama Rahmani says of the images. “They had bills to pay just like everyone else but they finally had enough of the abuse. We stand by every claim in the lawsuit and look forward to trial.” Rahmani went on to claim that she’s in talks with other former employees with stories of alleged misconduct. “We’re seeing even more of a pattern of just how much Lizzo thinks of those who work for her,” she says, “Clearly, not very much.”

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Lizzo’s Remaining Dancers Share Statement Expressing Solidarity With Her

August 17, 2023 by newhiphopnews

The Lizzo workplace harassment lawsuit is a scandal that rocked the pop music world in recent weeks. Fans were shocked to hear stories about the artist who has always championed body positivity chastising a dancer over her weight gain. Combined with stories about forcing dancers into exhaustive tryouts after they had already gotten the job. The allegations painted a very different picture than many imagined. Now, some of the singer’s remaining “Big Grrl” dancers have taken to Instagram to share a statement of solidarity with the singer.

“We have had the time of our lives on The Special Tour. We have been so honored to share the stage with such amazing talent,” their statement begins. They go onto express how much they appreciate a commitment to “character and culture” made throughout the tour. Later in the statement they bring up the “About Damn Time” singer directly. “Thank you to Lizzo for shattering limitations and kicking in the door way for the Big Grrrl & Big Boiii dancers to do what we love! You created a platform where we have been able to parallel our passion with a purpose!” The comments come as the original lawsuit is very much ongoing and many others have come forward with experiences relating to the singer.

Lizzo’s Other Dancers Still Support Her

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A post shared by THE BIG GRRRLS (@thebiggrrrls)

Reactions in the comments are mixed with many supporting the original dancers who brought the lawsuit. “While I don’t doubt that a time was had, this post seems invalidating to those that have not had favorable experiences . Nobody wins when the family feuds! I hope things get figured out,” reads the top comment. Others just straight up don’t believe the statement. :Nah Lizzo definitely wrote this” says another popular comment.

It was just a few days ago that Lizzo was publicly hit with yet another allegation in the ongoing affair. On top of the original claims, six additional former dancers have come forward with their similar experiences alongside the singer. What do you think of the new statement from Lizzo’s remaining Big Grrrl dancers? Let us know in the comment section below.

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Dancers Who Sued Lizzo Speak On The Today Show

August 2, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Yesterday a bomb dropped that shocked pop music fans. Lizzo has long been a champion of smashing body image standards and inspiring her fans to be their best selves. She’s also stood up to plenty of hate online for her own body image and body positivity. But it turns out that behind the scenes it may have been a different story. Yesterday three former dancers who previously worked for the singer are suing her for sexual harassment and promoting a hostile work environment.

Getting into the specifics of the allegations is quite alarming. Lizzo was reportedly “pressuring one dancer to touch a nude performer at an Amsterdam club,” forced her team through an exhaustive extra workout after accusing them of drinking, and berated one particular dancer for the weight she was putting on. The lawsuit also focuses on the captain of the singer’s dance team Shirlene Quigley. She reportedly brought up NSFW discussion topics frequently shaming others for having pre-marital sex while discussing her own fantasies. “The stunning nature of how Lizzo and her management team treated their performers seems to go against everything Lizzo stands for publicly, while privately she weight-shames her dancers and demeans them in ways that are not only illegal but absolutely demoralizing,” says a statement by the group’s attorney.

Lizzo’s Dancers Further Open Up

In the interview, the dancers elaborate on their claims. They specifically highlight the double standard of Lizzo’s public presence versus her private actions. One of the dancers notes that the singer would switch between “professional and personal” whenever she felt like it. The superstar herself has yet to respond to or even acknowledge the lawsuit in any way.

Clearly the news of Lizzo’s actions has spread very fast. She’s long been a fan of Beyonce and even attended a show on the Renaissance tour earlier this year. But last night during her most recent stop on the tour, Beyonce skipped over her name while singing the Queens Remix of “Break My Soul.” What do you think of Lizzo’s dancers appearing on “The Today Show” to expand on their recent lawsuit? Let us know in the comment section below.

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