Filmmaker Sophia Nahli Allison recently opened up about her experience working with Lizzo on her documentary, Love, Lizzo, in 2019.
In a series of Instagram stories and tweets, Allison shared her perspective, stating that she chose to walk away from the project after just two weeks due to the disrespectful treatment she received from Lizzo. Allison expressed that she witnessed behaviors that she described as arrogant, self-centered, and unkind.
The filmmaker revealed that during her time with Lizzo, she felt unsupported and exposed to a challenging situation without proper protection. Despite feeling “gaslit” and deeply hurt, Allison decided to trust her instincts and remove herself from the project. She expressed her support for the backup dancers who filed a lawsuit against Lizzo, her production company, and the dance team captain, Shirlene Quigley, alleging a hostile work environment that included sexual, religious, and racial harassment.
The lawsuit’s shocking claims, including two lewd incidents involving a banana and Lizzo’s comments about a dancer’s weight gain, have garnered significant attention on social media platforms, even catching the attention of Beyoncé. Some have noticed that Beyoncé seemingly excluded Lizzo from the list of musical icons she references during her performances, sparking further discussion.
Representatives for Lizzo have not yet responded to requests for comment from media outlets like Jezebel, and Lizzo herself has not publicly addressed the lawsuit.
The ongoing discourse highlights the importance of addressing abuse of power in the entertainment industry and sheds light on the experiences of those who have allegedly faced mistreatment while working with high-profile artists. As the conversations continue, it becomes clear that more actions need to be taken to create a safe and respectful work environment for all individuals involved in the entertainment industry.
