Lizzo's Ex Dancers Renew Commitment To Ongoing Lawsuit

Lizzo's ex-dancers have affirmed that they are keeping the rhythm of their legal battle alive.

These talented individuals, once responsible for setting stages ablaze with their moves, have now redirected their energy into the courtroom. Undeterred and determined, they are unwavering in their commitment to pursue the ongoing lawsuit against their former employer. 

Just seven days after initiating legal action against the 35-year-old, the superstar's ex-backup dancers — Crystal Williams, Arianna Davis, and Noelle Rodriguez — are intensifying their claims.

According to the complaint, when the dancers united in seeking a retainer — because they allegedly could not pursue other work during the tour — a management team member chastised them for what was deemed "unacceptable and disrespectful behavior," leading to potential termination.

Presently, the trio of dancers stands firm, asserting the validity of their court-filed claims: Williams and Davis contend wrongful termination, while Rodriguez affirms that she voluntarily left her position in protest of their dismissals. The trio remains resolute, refusing to waver. Speaking to PEOPLE, Williams stated:

"We were treated poorly. Nobody did anything about it when we tried to speak up and advocate for ourselves. So now we're doing it. I know that my mind feels a lot clearer. There was a lot of anxiety and a lot of feelings of being overwhelmed once our suit was made public. But today, I feel very proud to be pursuing this with these ladies."

Rodriguez also told the publication, "All of Lizzo's former employees that have also come forward — we've given them the confidence to stand up, and they're giving us the confidence to continue the fight. What our movement alone started in my eyes ... we've already won."

During the interview with the outlet, Davis, who was seated alongside the other ladies but chose not to speak, added to the complaint by alleging that she was unfairly targeted due to weight gain, ultimately resulting in her dismissal in May 2023.

Rodriguez, who was initially recruited for Lizzo's "Rumors" music video in May 2021 but later joined the dance troupe for the Special Tour this year, explained: "They took a concern, but kind of a fake concern under the guise of, 'What's wrong with you? You're different.'" She added:

"I think an important thing to note as far as the body shaming and stuff is that if it were never an issue, why was it brought up in a meeting by Lizzo that people get fired for gaining weight? I would never think of hearing a statement like from her or even being a reason for firing somebody."

Following their appearance on her reality TV show, "Watch Out for the Big Grrrls," in 2021, Davis and Williams joined forces with the songwriter. In fact, the "Juice" singer had previously emphasized the show's significance in providing representation for plus-size dancers.

This makes the lawsuit a significant setback for the "Truth Hurts" artist, who has established herself as a staunch advocate for body positivity from the onset of her career. 

In case you missed the recent developments, Lizzo is now grappling with ongoing repercussions following the slew of allegations against her. Adding to her challenges, the "Tempo" singer's highly anticipated comeback performance after the lawsuit has been abruptly canceled.

Scheduled as a highlight of the "Jay Z's Made In America Festival," the event was set to take place on the first weekend of September at Philadelphia's Benjamin Franklin Parkway. 

Lizzo had been lined up as a co-headliner alongside fellow singer SZA until the festival's organizers announced the show's cancellation. In a statement, the coordinators wrote: 

"Due to severe circumstances outside of production control, the 2023 Made in America festival will no longer be taking place. This decision has been difficult and has not been made lightly nor without immense deliberation. Made in America has a legacy of delivering exceptional experiences for music fans and concert goers, and it is our commitment to always deliver a top-tier festival experience."

While the statement refrained from specifying the exact cause for the sudden cancellation of this year's festival, the organizers expressed enthusiasm for its return in 2024. Additionally, they assured ticket holders that refunds would be processed for their purchases.