Singer Lizzo has spoken for the first time since it was revealed three former dancers were suing the Grammy-winning artist.
The trio accuse Lizzo of sexual harassment and allege the singer and her production company created a hostile work environment.
In a post on Twitter tonight, Lizzo denied the claims against her and said she had suffered immense hurt, declaring "I am not the villain".
"These last few days have been gut wrenchingly difficult and overwhelmingly disappointing," she said.
"My work ethic, morals and respectfulness have been questioned. My character has been criticised.
"Usually I choose not to respond to false allegations but these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous to not be addressed.
"These sensationalised stories are coming from former employees who have already publicly admitted that they were told their behaviour on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional.
"As an artist I have always been very passionate about what I do. I take my music and my performances seriously because at the end of the day I only want to put out the best art that represents me and my fans.
"With passion comes hard work and high standards. Sometimes I have to make hard decisions but it's never my intention to make anyone feel uncomfortable or like they aren't valued as an important part of the team."
Lizzo went on to criticise her portrayal in the media in relation to the allegations and thanked people who had reached out in support.
"I am not here to be looked at as a victim, but I also know that I am not the villain that people and the media have portrayed me to be these last few days," Lizzo said.
"I am very open with my sexuality and expressing myself but I cannot accept or allow people to use that openness to make me out to be something I am not.
"There is nothing I take more seriously than the respect we deserve as women in the world.
"I know what it feels like to be body shamed on a daily basis and would absolutely never criticise or terminate an employee because of their weight
"I'm hurt but I will not let the good work I've done in the world be overshadowed by this.
"I want to thank everyone who has reached out in support to lift me up during this difficult time."
What the three dancers claim
The civil lawsuit filed on Tuesday in Los Angeles County Superior Court claims Lizzo pressured the dancers to engage with nude performers at a club in Amsterdam and shamed one of them for her weight gain before firing her.
Plaintiffs Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez make numerous charges including sexual, religious and racial harassment, disability discrimination, assault and false imprisonment.
The legal complaint seeks unspecified damages and names Melissa Viviane Jefferson, known professionally as Lizzo, her production company Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc, and Shirlene Quigley, captain of the performer's dance team.
The court filing claims that after performing a concert in Amsterdam, Lizzo and her crew attended a sexually themed show at a club in the city's notorious Red Light District where "Lizzo began inviting cast members to take turns touching the nude performers". During the show, Lizzo led a chant pressuring Davis to touch the breasts of one of the nude women performing at the club, the filing states.
"Finally, the chorus became overwhelming, and a mortified Ms. Davis acquiesced in an attempt to bring an end to the chants," the complaint states. "Plaintiffs were aghast with how little regard Lizzo showed for the bodily autonomy of her employees and those around her, especially in the presence of many people whom she employed."
Lizzo, who routinely champions body positivity, is also accused of calling out Davis for her weight gain after accusing the dancer of not being committed to her role. Davis was fired in May for recording a meeting during which Lizzo had given out notes to dancers about their performances, according to the complaint.
Quigley, who served as a judge on the singer's reality show Lizzo's Watch Out for the Big Grrrls, is accused in the lawsuit of pushing her Christian beliefs onto dancers. The court filing claims Quigley referred to Davis as a "non-believer" and told co-workers that "No job and no one will stop me from talking about the Lord".
Earlier this year, Lizzo won the Grammy for record of the year for her hit About Damn Time. A global tour supporting her fourth studio album, 2022's Special, wrapped up last month.
- Reported with the Associated Press
