Current:Home > reviewsLizzo’s Former Creative Director and Documentary Filmmaker Speak Out Against Singer -TrueNorth Capital Hub
Lizzo’s Former Creative Director and Documentary Filmmaker Speak Out Against Singer
View
Date:2025-04-15 16:29:53
Lizzo is facing more "hostile" work environment accusations.
Shortly after three of the singer's former dancers filed a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment and weight-shaming, more of Lizzo's former collaborators are speaking out about their own experiences.
Filmmaker Sophia Nahli Allison said she underwent mistreatment while she was briefly director of the 2022 documentary Love, Lizzo. "In 2019, I traveled a bit with Lizzo to be the director of her documentary," Sophia tweeted on Aug. 1. "I walked away after about 2 weeks. I was treated with such disrespect by her."
Calling the Grammy winner "arrogant, self-centered and unkind," Sophia said she was thankful to have walked away when she did.
"I was not protected and was thrown into a s--ty situation with little support," Sophia added. "My spirit said to run as fast as you f--king can and I'm so grateful I trusted my gut. I felt gaslit and was deeply hurt, but I've healed."
E! News has reached out to Lizzo's rep for comment on the allegation and has not heard back.
While showing support to plaintiffs Crystal Williams, Arianna Davis and Noelle Rodriguez, Sophia slammed Lizzo in a follow-up tweet accusing her of cultivating an "extremely toxic and hostile working environment" that "undermines the work, labor, and authority of other Black and brown womxn in the process."
She then referenced Doug Pray, the filmmaker who replaced her on the project, adding in parenthesis, "Notice how the documentary ended up being directed by a cis white man."
Sophia called out Lizzo for her past as a champion for body positivity and self-love, stating the singer was a "narcissist bully" who "built her brand off of lies." She added, "I was excited to support and protect a Black woman through the documentary process but quickly learned her image and 'message' was a curated facade."
Courtney Hollinquest, another former dancer who is not part of the lawsuit, further noted on her Instagram Story that the allegations raised against Lizzo were "very much my experience in my time there."
Lizzo's former creative director Quinn Whitney Wilson also reposted Courtney's message, praising the three dancers for sharing their side of the story.
"I haven't been apart of that world for around three years, for a reason," Quinn wrote on her Instagram Story. "I very much applaud the dancers courage to bring this to light. and I grieve parts of my own experience."
Referencing their shared experience, Courtney then sent a message back to Quinn, writing in a separate post, "my sister forever only a few know what we've been through … love u Quinn."
In addition to Lizzo, the dancers are also suing her production company Big Grrrl Big Touring and dance captain Shirlene Quigley, who they alleged would proselytize about her Christian views and overshare "detailed stories about her masturbatory habits and sexual fantasies."
E! News reached out to Lizzo's rep and Quigley for comment on the lawsuit but hasn't heard back.
Another alleged incident listed in the lawsuit included a February 2023 visit to Amsterdam's Red Light District, where Lizzo arranged for a group outing at an adult club, which the dancers said they felt obligated to attend. During the night, the plaintiffs accused Lizzo of "inviting cast members to take turns touching the nude performers," as well as pressuring Arianna to participate when the dancer said she repeated three times her desire not to.
A few months later, Arianna said in the lawsuit that she was confronted by Lizzo and choreographer Tanisha Scott of not being committed to her job, which, to the dancer, felt like "thinly veiled concerns" about her weight gain. Even though the sentiments were never explicitly mentioned, Arianna said in the lawsuit that she felt like she "needed to explain her weight gain and disclose intimate personal details about her life in order to keep her job."
The dancers are seeking damages for emotional distress, unpaid wages, loss of earnings and attorney's fees.
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (1947)
Related
- Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
- Prince William Addresses Kate Middleton's Health After She Completes Chemotherapy
- Prince William Addresses Kate Middleton's Health After She Completes Chemotherapy
- Amber Alert issued in North Carolina for 3-year-old Khloe Marlow: Have you seen her?
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Don Lemon, with a new book on faith, examines religion in politics: 'It's disturbing'
- Fewer than 400 households reject $600 million Ohio train derailment settlement
- Why Selena Gomez Didn’t Want to Be Treated Like Herself on Emilia Perez Movie Set
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
- All the best Toronto film festival highlights, from 'Conclave' to the Boss
Ranking
- The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
- Kentucky shooting suspect faces 5 counts of attempted murder; search intensifies
- Jury selection enters day 2 in the trial of 3 Memphis officers charged in Tyre Nichols’ death
- 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice' has a refreshingly healthy take on grief and death
- Federal Spending Freeze Could Have Widespread Impact on Environment, Emergency Management
- Diddy ordered to pay $100M in default judgment for alleged sexual assault
- In Romania, she heard church bells. They tolled for her child, slain in GA school shooting
- Sarah Hyland Loves Products That Make Her Life Easier -- Check Out Her Must-Haves & Couch Rot Essentials
Recommendation
Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
One Tree Hill’s Jana Kramer Teases Potential Appearance in Sequel Series
Take 50% Off a Peter Thomas Roth Serum That Instantly Tightens and Lifts Skin & More Sephora Deals
Jennifer Coolidge Shares How She Honestly Embraces Aging
Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
McDonald's Crocs Happy Meals with mini keychains coming to US
Steelers plan to start Justin Fields at QB in Week 2 as Russell Wilson deals with injury
Dave Mason, the 'Forrest Gump of rock,' shares tales of Traffic, Beatles in memoir