October 31st 2023.
Lizzo is getting a strong show of support from current members of her staff, according to TMZ. 18 members of her touring company have written declarations in an attempt to dispute the sexual harassment lawsuit filed by three former dancers.
Kiara Mooring, a current tour dancer, denied the allegations that the former dancers were penalized if they didn't go out partying with Lizzo. "This claim makes no sense because plenty of dancers didn't go to Bananenbar that night and we still have our job," she wrote.
The former dancers claimed that during a night out at Bannenbar, an Amsterdam-based bar with nude performers, they were forced to touch the nude dancers despite expressing their discomfort. But Melissa Locke, another tour dancer, recalled that the accusers didn't appear to have any issues with the night out.
"They never said they felt uncomfortable or pressured. In fact, they were very enthusiastic about what a great night out they had," she said. Locke recalled telling the accusers that she wished she had joined them.
The dancers also disputed the claims made by Arianna Davis in the lawsuit. Davis accused Lizzo of body-shaming her after she allegedly admitted to having an eating disorder. However, Alaini Walker, another current dancer, denied the claims and said, "In my experience, there was absolutely no body shaming on tour."
Asia Banks, who is the biggest-sized dancer on the tour, also shut down any claims of body-shaming. She said, "Lizzo always went out of her way to make me feel secure and confident in my body, including by making sure I was comfortable in every single costume for the show."
Lizzo's bass player Zuri Appleby also claimed that most of the staff expressed concern about Davis' health, but not for the reasons she alleged.
Chawnta Van also denied the lawsuit claims of dancers being prevented from taking on other work while on tour. According to her, the dancers were still allowed to book other dancing gigs and were even given a retainer when the tour was paused.
The declarations are part of a motion Lizzo's legal team filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court in an attempt to dismiss most of the lawsuit claims.
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