Pop star Lizzo and several team members face another discrimination lawsuit claiming the singer condoned a work environment promoting fatphobia, racism, and sexual harassment. The claimant is a former wardrobe designer who alleges that Lizzo stood by while her wardrobe manager referred to black women on tour as “dumb,” “useless,” and “fat.”
Asha Daniels, hired as a clothing designer on Lizzo’s tour in February, filed a complaint in Los Angeles Superior Court. Daniel claims she was subject to racial and sexual harassment, disability discrimination, illegal retaliation, assault, and more. Much of the complaint focuses on Lizzo’s wardrobe manager, who allegedly made racist and fatphobic comments, mocked Lizzo and her backup dancers, and made an offensive stereotypical impression of a black woman.
The complaint states the wardrobe manager forced performers to change in front of a majority male stage crew who would “lewdly gawk” at them, forced Daniels to work on her feet after she injured her ankle at work, and then fired her without notice or reason. Daniels also says she was uncomfortable when the manager, the crew, and Lizzo’s management team openly discussed hiring sex workers and buying hard drugs while on tour in Amsterdam.
Other defendants named in the lawsuit are Lizzo’s production company, Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc., and her tour manager. The complaint states that Daniels suffered severe emotional distress, anxiety, pain and suffering, physical injuries, and sickness due to her time on Lizzo’s tour.
A spokesperson for Lizzo expressed to NBC News that her team would not be paying the lawsuit any attention. Daniels is seeking an unspecified amount of financial damages.
Contact Sidney L. Gold & Associates, P.C. at 215-569-1999 if you need legal assistance with an employment discrimination case. Located in Philadelphia and Pennsauken, New Jersey, we serve clients in South Jersey and Southeastern Pennsylvania.
