Lizzo received the Quincy Jones Humanitarian Award, joined by dancers, amidst allegations against her.

Singer and plus-size icon Lizzo was honored with the Black Music Action Coalition's Quincy Jones Humanitarian Award on Wednesday, September 21. The 35-year-old pop artist was joined onstage by the dancers who make up the "Big Grrls"-- a highlight of the singer's "Special Tour"--as she accepted the award for her philanthropy and activism as well as her Prime Video series Watch Out For The Big Grrrls.

Lizzo graciously accepted the award and opened her speech with a thank you to the Black Music Action Coalition. “Y’all really are about that action,” she said. “God’s timing is always on time!” She continued, “I didn’t write a speech because I don’t know what to say in times like these.” Her words seemed to allude to the allegations and pending lawsuit from former employees.

The “About Damn Time” singer promised to continue her work to shine a light on individuals who are often left in the shadows. “It’s easy to do the right thing when everybody’s watching you, and it’s what you do in those moments when nobody’s watching that defines who you are,” she said. “And I’m going to continue to be who I am, no matter who’s watching. I’m going to continue to shine a light on the people who are helping people, because they deserve it. I’m going to continue to amplify the voices of marginalized people because I have a microphone and I know how to use it.”

Before Lizzo took the stage, a video montage of her philanthropic efforts was capped off by cast members of Watch Out For The Big Grrrls. They thanked Lizzo for being the “first person to ever believe in us, show us love and believe in our talent and our craft” and for loving “with her whole heart.”

Unfortunately, the celebration was short-lived. Just hours before the BMAC gala, Lizzo was named in a second lawsuit from a former employee who alleged the singer created a toxic work environment in which she was sexually and racially harassed. Clothing designer Asha Daniels is also claiming disability discrimination and illegal retaliatory termination. Daniels alleged that after being hired to make alterations on costumes made for the dancers on tour with Lizzo, she was “almost immediately…introduced to [a] culture of racism and bullying” that resulted in “constant anxiety and panic attacks.”

In spite of the ongoing allegations, Lizzo still stands for the betterment of society and is determined to continue empowering and uplifting marginalized voices.

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