On the same day news broke that Lizzo was being sued by three former backup dancers for alleged sexual harassment and weight-shaming, two more ex-employees came forward to voice support for the lawsuit and to say they had similar experiences working for the “About Damn Time” singer.
Lizzo’s former creative director Quinn Whitney Wilson and former backup dancer Courtney Hollinquest posted statements on Instagram Tuesday, Aug. 1, shortly after the lawsuit was filed.
Hollinquest shared a copy of an news article about the suit in an Instagram story, and said she could relate to the accusations made by the three backup dancers.
“For clarification, I’m not a part of the lawsuit – but this was very much my experience in my time there,” Hollinquest wrote. “Big shoutout to the dancers who had the courage to bring this to light.”
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Wilson shared a screenshot of Hollinquest’s statement on her own Instagram Story, and wrote that she was “echoing” what Hollinquest said.
“I haven’t been a part of that world for around three years, for a reason,” Wilson wrote. “I very much applaud the dancers courage to bring this to light and I grieve parts of my own experience. I’d appreciate space to understand my feelings.”
The women posted the comments just hours after Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez filed their lawsuit against Lizzo in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
The suit alleges the Grammy-winning singer pressured the women to attend a sex show at a strip club in Amsterdam’s Red Light District, then pushed them to engage in sexual encounters with the performers.
The suit also says Lizzo — who is known for her body positivity message — “called attention” to one dancer’s weight gain following a performance at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival. The suit claims the dancer was led to believe she “needed to explain her weight gain and disclose intimate personal details about her life in order to keep her job.”
The lawsuit names Lizzo, whose real name is Melissa Jefferson, her BIG Grrrl Big Touring Inc., and dance captain Shirlene Quigley.
The suit says Quigley tried to force her Christian beliefs onto the dancers and told co-workers that “no job and no one will stop me from talking about the Lord.” The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages.
Representatives for Lizzo and Quigley did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
