Lizzo Gets Support From Tour Staffers Amid Banana Show Lawsuit

It seems that Lizzo is getting support from several tour staffers amid her ongoing lawsuit.

Three of her former backup dancers, Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez, have claimed that the "Truth Hurts" singer forced them to attend adult entertainment shows in Amsterdam and subjected them to weight shaming, among other allegations of inappropriate conduct.

According to court documents, 18 members of Lizzo’s touring company are standing with the singer and disputing claims made by three of her former dancers. In their lawsuit, the three dancers claimed that they would face punishment if they did not party with Lizzo when requested.

However, dancer Kiara Mooring wrote in her declaration that this allegation is untrue, writing, “This claim also makes no sense because plenty of the dancers (myself included) did not go to Bananenbar that night and we still have our job dancing with Lizzo.”

Dancer Melissa Locke claimed in her allegations that two of the backup dancers – Arianna and Noelle – never said that they were uncomfortable when they went to an adult entertainment venue in Amsterdam. “They never said they felt uncomfortable or pressured. They were very enthusiastic about what a great night out they had,” Melissa wrote.

"I remember telling them, 'That sounds like so much fun, I wish you had woken me up to go with you.' They agreed that it was a fun night and told me that they went out in the Red Light District after. They did not complain or sound upset in any way,” she added.

In the lawsuit, Arianna Davis claims that the “Good As H---” singer shamed her due to her size. However, two other dancers don’t believe the claims. Dancer Asia Banks wrote, “I was the biggest dancer on the tour. Lizzo always went out of her way to make me feel secure and confident in my body, including by making sure I was comfortable in every single costume for the show.”

Dancer Alaini Walker added, "In my experience, there was absolutely no body shaming on tour. I have experienced racial discrimination, sexual harassment, and body shaming in this industry, but never while working with Lizzo. In fact, Lizzo’s tour felt like the opposite of many negative experiences I have had as a dancer."

Bass player Zuri Appleby also said that Lizzo never fat-shamed Arianna. “To the contrary, everyone on the tour was genuinely concerned about Davis, not because she had gained weight, but because she was lax about her performances, her hygiene, and her health,” Zuri wrote in the declaration.

Dancer Chawnta Van also noted in her declaration that she witnessed no racism on tour, saying that Lizzo “would never tolerate any racism on tour” and praised her for empowering Black women across the globe.

News of the tour staffers' declarations was first reported by TMZ.

In August 2023, Grimes, born Claire Elise Boucher, took to X, formerly known as Twitter, in order to show her support for Lizzo.

“I love Lizzo. Not saying I don't believe ppl when bad things happen, but I had dancers mistreated on my watch in ways I didn't find out about until way later,” the Canadian pop star wrote at the time. “Mebe s--- is bad. But loyalty matters to me.”

“Lizzo was kind to me and others for a decade before she was ‘cool’, and she checked in on me when no one cared,” Grimes wrote. “I've only ever seen exemplary behavior from her, especially when everyone was hating on me and she was on top of the world. There was no reason for her to check in, besides to be a good person.”

Grimes added a small disclaimer to her post, writing, “Just my two cents,” adding, “I recall when she first blew up being so happy because I'd never known such an admirable person to find fame in the music industry. I struggle to believe she would have so radically changed. [I’m] tired of a culture that seeks to destroy its greatest virtues. Lizzo is amazing.”