In August of 2023, three of Lizzo’s former backup dancers came together to sue the hitmaker. The dancers, Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez, accuse her of sexual harassment, creating a hostile working environment, and more. Since they filed the lawsuit, Lizzo has formally denied the allegations. She’s also continued to push for the case to be dropped under California’s anti-SLAPP statute. In January, Los Angeles Judge Mark H. Epstein denied her motion to toss out the suit altogether, though he did dismiss certain accusations.
Now, the performer has an opportunity to appeal his ruling. On Thursday (March 7), Epstein ordered the case “stayed,” meaning that all proceedings will be on pause for the foreseeable future. It’s unclear exactly how long the case will be halted, but it’s expected to be at least a few months before proceedings pick back up.
Lizzo performs in support of her “Special” release at Chase Center on November 12, 2022 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)
“It is dangerous for the court to weigh in, ham-fisted, into constitutionally protected activity,” Epstein said of his January ruling. “But it is equally dangerous to turn a blind eye to allegations of discrimination or other forms of misconduct merely because they take place in a speech-related environment.” Lizzo’s former dancers aren’t the only ones to take legal action against her in recent months, however.
In December, designer Asha Daniels alleged that she encountered a “culture of racism and bullying” while working with Lizzo on her Special tour. Lizzo’s legal team quickly denied Daniels’ claims, calling them “meritless and salacious.” According to them, the designer “refused to comply with instructions” and “refused to show up for work.” What do you think of Lizzo’s backup dancers’ lawsuit being put on hold? Are you surprised that it will be at least another few months before the case can move forward? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.
Lizzo’s legal team has asked the court to seal a number of documents relating to ongoing sexual harassment lawsuits against the singer. In their motion, Lizzo’s team argues that “documents, correspondence and testimony that contain sensitive, confidential information and/or proprietary business information, including employee compensation, contract negotiation, and third-party sensitive contact information” should not be made public. The presiding judge is yet to rule on the motion.
This comes around a month after a number of the plaintiffs sought to challenge Lizzo’s usage of anti-SLAPP legislation. Anti-SLAPP legislation protects people against deliberately frivolous lawsuits designed to silence or oppress them. The term fully entered the public zeitgeist several years ago. It was popularized after a coal mining company attempted to serve Jon Oliver with a SLAPP suit. “Can a global celebrity be forever insulated from civil liability because all their conduct is protected as free speech under the anti-SLAPP statute? Defendant Lizzo asks this Court to rule in exactly that fashion. Fortunately for all victims of celebrity malfeasance, the law says otherwise,” the attorneys for three of the dancers suing Lizzo wrote in their motion.
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 25: Lizzo attends the World Premiere of “Renaissance: A Film By Beyoncé” at Samuel Goldwyn Theater on November 25, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/WireImage for Parkwood)
While the suits and countersuits surrounding Lizzo remain ongoing, the case has deeply divided the music industry. In early November, Azealia Banks came out with a surprising apology for the embattled singer. “I was having a conversation last night. And I realized that I owe @lizzobeeating a huge apology for popping so much sh-t. If hip hop will allow a 55+ severely overweight @bustarhymes who exhibits major of anabolic steroid abuse, adrenal gland failure, and constipation. And will also allow him to have a face full of blackheads and acne from what appears to be a testosterone shot abuse. And whilst drinking molly water in 2023 and wearing cartoon-like Neon yellow fake gold slick Rick chains. We have absolutely no right to be trying to skewered a YOUNG black woman – for anything,” Banks wrote.
Most people remember Banks’ infamous 2019 rant in which she said she hated Lizzo and her “fake a– body positivity”. However, this is not the first time that Banks has defended Lizzo. Last year, she went after Kanye after he took aim at Lizzo’s weight. “[Kanye] can’t be trying to lollipop off the 4 year old discussion about Lizzo’s health and weight. He has an entire McDonald’s commercial,” Banks said on social media.
Recently, Christian Keyes came forward to share his story of being sexually harassed. He claims that the person responsible is a “powerful man” in Hollywood, though he hasn’t disclosed his name. He explained that while he’s tried to forgive this person, it’s grown difficult as they’re widely praised.
At one point, he also unveiled a small recording device, revealing that he’s been carrying something similar for years. He says that sometime soon, he’ll be handing over the recordings he’s captured of this person to authorities. “The wonderful thing about confidentiality agreements and non-disclosure agreements is that they can’t prevent you from turning all of those things over to the police,” he explained. “Because sexual harassment is a crime, attempted sexual assault is a felony.”
Keyes claims to have rejected the unnamed man on various occasions. He says that he started carrying the recording device in order to have evidence if his refusal to participate impacted his career. “I was like, ‘I need to protect me. I’m saying no, and I don’t want this person, as powerful as they are, to try to get in the way of my work.’ So I started recording,” he recalled. Keyes alleges that the man once offered him $100K to “take his clothes off,” attempted to get into bed with him, and more.
Countless fans and peers have shown the actor support after hearing his story, noting how difficult it can be for victims to come forward. Claudia Jordan, for example, took to her Instagram Story to applaud him. “He told me some of this 15 years ago verbatim and said one day he was going to come forward,” she wrote. “I commend him for his bravery!!”
What do you think of Christian Keyes coming forward claiming to have been sexually harassed? What about Claudia Jordan’s response? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.
She was no stranger to the limelight, but Emaza Gibson was ready to receive new visibility with the help of Jason Derulo. For those who may recognize Emaza’s name, it’s for good measure—the young star was once a part of the Roc Nation sister duo, Ceraadi. The pair stirred things up in the R&B-Hip Hop lane and were a promising act for the mega-label. However, reported family issues divided the sisters, ultimately disbanding them.
Emaza pressed forward without her sister Saiyr; since 2021, she’s embarked on a solo career. According to NBC News in an explosive report, Gibson was excited at the prospect of signing to Derulo’s Atlantic Records imprint, Future History. However, the singer said Derulo’s intentions were far from pure. Gibson accused Derulo of unwanted advances, aggression, making her fear for her safety, and insinuating that for her career to advance, she’d have to have sex with him. Further, she said when she turned Derulo down, his attitude changed.
Emaza Gibson Details Her Allegations
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 23: (L-R) Emaza Gibson and Saiyr Gibson. Of Ceraadi attend the 2019 BET Awards at Microsoft Theater on June 23, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for BET)
To spread awareness about her sexual harassment lawsuit, Gibson spoke candidly with NBC News. “I’m at this point in my life right now, it’s very heartbreaking,” Emaza explained. “I have anxiety; I’m traumatized. I’ve dealt with inhumane work situations. … I’m at this point where I’m back to zero and I have nothing.” She added, “I’m like, OK, well, Jason is a great artist — big, international, powered with Atlantic — this should be a no-brainer, and I should be able to, you know, start my solo career.”
Although she once held rank at Roc Nation, Gibson asserted that she desired to be attached to Atlantic Records. Thus, connecting with Derulo professionally through his imprint was a dream come true. Emaza claimed that she attempted to navigate professionalism as Derulo repeatedly invited her out for drinks in private establishments. He also reportedly did the same during or following their time working in the studio.
Later, in the Fall of 2021, Gibson added she told Derulo she wasn’t interested in a personal relationship. “I told him that I wasn’t a drinker … so it’s like, you know, you’re not listening to that the first time I tell you, and you’re still pushing on me. It’s, like, pressure at this point.” She even suggested that he hinted at something darker, like a blood ritual, when he mentioned “fish scales and goat skin.” Emaza stated, “I’ve never heard about this, and I was trying to find and make sense of what it was, and I came across those articles.”
Continued Allegations Of Inappropriate Behavior
MIAMI BEACH, FL – JUNE 29: Jason Derulo poses in the Wonderwall Portrait Studio at the iHeartRadio Ultimate Pool Party Presented by VISIT FLORIDA at Fontainebleau’s BleauLive in Miami featuring live performances by Pitbull, Ke$ha, Afrojack, Icona Pop, Krewella and Jason Derulo on June 29, 2013 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Clear Channel)
Gibson also shared that during a trip to the Big Apple in 2021, she and Derulo were set to meet with Atlantic bigwigs. However, at the last minute, he introduced a woman named Rosa, who would be with them. Gibson didn’t know Rosa, but the woman reportedly told the singer that she and Derulo were sleeping together. Then, in the meeting with executives, Derulo played Rosa’s music. Emaza noted that Rosa’s career flourished because she and Derulo allegedly had an intimate relationship.
When Gibson later mentioned this to Derulo’s manager, she claimed the singer became irate. That was the purported catalyst that caused Derulo to stop all contact. Emaza couldn’t communicate with Derulo, so to get a project manager to work on her career, she reached out to Atlantic directly. Gibson and Derulo would meet again in the summer of 2022, discussing various aspects of her music and scheduled studio time. However, during a session, Gibson stated Derulo became upset because she was late, and she did feel safe after he erupted. He allegedly “charged” at and “berated” the singer in front of witnesses.
The lawsuit further states that Gibson and her mother attempted to get help from Atlantic, but they did not offer up solutions. The label was reportedly excited about Gibson’s addition, but Derulo was supposedly making things difficult behind the scenes. In September 2022, both Derulo and Atlantic parted ways with the singer. Now, she’s suing him for sexual harassment, alleging “emotionally and physically inappropriate behavior.”
Gibson intends to “fight for what’s right,” she says, “because what was done to me was not OK.” She doesn’t want to see other artists experience someone using such an opportunity as a pawn. Both Future History and Atlantic are also named in court documents. Gibson seeks “unpaid wages, loss of earnings, deferred compensation and other employment benefits and damages for emotional distress.”
Jason Derulo nor his attorney responded to NBC News‘s attempts for a statement.
It was only a matter of time before podcaster Joe Budden joined in on the discourse surrounding Lizzo’s sexual harassment and hostile workplace lawsuit. As you’ve likely heard, the body-positive artist is facing serious backlash for allegedly pressuring past employees into sexual acts at an Amsterdam strip club, firing them due to weight gain, and acting aggressively toward them, among other things. In a recent statement, the Detroit native shut down most of the gossip. Still, some were left dissatisfied with her response.
On Friday (August 11), Joe Budden TV‘s YouTube lit up with a new video discussing current events. Of course, Lizzo’s troubling case was at the top of the list. “I witnessed how arrogant, self-centred, and unkind she is,” the host read out loud when sharing the story of a director who previously worked with the “Truth Hurts” hitmaker. “Well, that’s celebrities,” Budden said with a laugh as his co-hosts agreed. “When I was reading all of this s**t, it sounded like regular music industry s**t to me. Maybe that’s not a good thing, I don’t know,” another voice in the room pointed out.
Joe Budden and Co-Hosts Speak on Lizzo Allegations
“It felt like the accusations were coming from people who expected Disneyworld and got like regular, hip-hop music industry s**t,” they added. Others shared that the banana sex club escapades are what left them feeling unsure of which side to take. “It sounds like there was peer pressure involved,” someone suggested. Another added that the dancers also likely feared that they would lose their jobs if they decided to say no to Lizzo’s Amsterdam antics. Ultimately, Budden feels that the issue lies in the fact that the women worked together, and being in an NSFW environment with her employees put the embattled entertainer in a position of power over them.
Lizzo fans who don’t want to believe the allegations could be true have been anxiously awaiting more updates. Unfortunately, they came in the form of more past employees sharing their own negative experiences working with the Special singer. Read what others have been saying about Lizzo at the link below. Make sure to check back later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.
