Lizzo, the Grammy-winning artist, expressed feeling tired of being attacked and dragged by people in her life and on the internet in an emotional Instagram post. She stated her desire to make music, make people happy, and help the world but felt like the world did not want her in it anymore. Amid lies and disrespect toward her, she stated that she did not sign up for the negative treatment she was receiving and quit the music industry in response to the negativity she was facing.
The statement from Lizzo came after her former backup dancers sued her for creating a toxic work environment and sexual harassment, with one instance alleging inappropriate behavior at a performance in Amsterdam. Attorneys for the dancers called it shameful for Lizzo to headline a re-election fundraiser for President Biden given the allegations against her. The dancers claimed they were subjected to uncomfortable and inappropriate situations by Lizzo, leading to a lawsuit filed in August 2023.
Additional accusations against Lizzo came from her former creative director and other individuals who worked with her, who claimed they were treated disrespectfully or pressured into uncomfortable situations. Lizzo dismissed the allegations as outrageous and maintained her innocence, stating that she takes women’s respect very seriously. Despite threatening to countersue, more allegations surfaced, including claims of abuse by a manager during her 2023 tour, which Lizzo was accused of ignoring.
While the accusations against Lizzo are shocking, some of her employees stood by her and signed declarations supporting her, disputing the harassment claims made against her. Despite the controversy, Lizzo appeared in good spirits when she presented at the 2024 Grammys. The situation involving Lizzo and the lawsuits brought against her highlight the complexities of navigating accusations and perceptions in the public eye, with some supporting her while others take issue with her behavior. Lizzo’s decision to quit the music industry in the face of the negative attention speaks to the toll that public scrutiny can take on an individual’s mental health and well-being.
