Entertainment

Singer Lizzo sued by ex-dancers for sexual harassment

Published

2 years ago

August 2, 2023

Award-winning American singer, Lizzo has been sued by three of her former backup dancers who accused the singer of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment.

The singer, whose real name is Melissa Viviane Jefferson, faces a legal battle after the dancers alleged she commented on their weight and pressured one to touch a nude performer in a strip club.

The plaintiffs – her former dancers – are named in the lawsuit as Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez. Williams and Davis both appeared on the recent Amazon Prime reality show ‘Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls’ – about the singer’s quest to find backup dancers.

They accused the famous singer of ‘inviting cast members to take turns touching the nude performers,’ inside an Amsterdam strip club, the suit states.

She allegedly encouraged ‘catching dildos launched from the performers’ vaginas, and eating bananas protruding from the performers’ vaginas.’

The ‘About Damn Time’ singer, 35, is known for her gregarious body positivity, but the lawsuit paints her in a much different light.

Ron Zambrano, the women’s lawyer, said in the suit, revealed first by NBC News: “The stunning nature of how Lizzo and her management team treated their performers seems to go against everything Lizzo stands for publicly.

“While privately she weight-shames her dancers and demeans them in ways that are not only illegal but absolutely demoralizing.”

Lizzo is not the only named defendant in the case, which was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday.

Her dance captain, Shirlene Quigley, is also facing a slew of accusations.

Quigley, according to the lawsuit, shared ‘lewd sexual fantasies,’ and publicly discussed the virginity of one of the plaintiffs while berating those who had had pre-marital sex.

The complaints for all damages include: Hostile work environment, sexual harassment, religious harassment, racial harassment, disability discrimination, and failure to prevent or remedy the harassment.

Lizzo is specifically accused of disability discrimination, creating a hostile work environment, sexual harassment, and failing to stop said issues.

Her touring company Big Grrrl Big Touring Inc. is also named as a defendant.

Inside the Amsterdam strip joint, Lizzo allegedly “turned her attention to Ms Davis and began pressuring Ms Davis to touch the breasts of one of the nude women.”

Davis refused multiple times, while the popstar allegedly chanted louder and louder to encourage her to do the act, the lawsuit claimed. Davis eventually did touch the performer.

“Plaintiffs were aghast with how little regard Lizzo showed for the bodily autonomy of her employees and those around her, especially in the presence of many people whom she employed,” the filing read.

In another instance, the plaintiffs claim Lizzo invited the dancers to a club in Paris – but failed to mention that it was a nude cabaret bar. This ‘shocked’ the dancers, who said Lizzo ‘robbed them of the choice not to participate,’ the suit said.

Lizzo also allegedly made a claim the dancers were drinking before performances, which Williams then spoke out about. The popstar allegedly made the group go through an ‘excruciating’ 12-hour rehearsal.

Williams lost her job days after, the lawsuit claimed.

Davis, meanwhile, soiled her pants during the intense rehearsal because she was so fearful she’d lose her job, the documents state. She was then handed a see-through outfit with no undergarments to finish the performance, the suit said.

Rodriguez complained to a manager about the decision to publicly fire Williams after Lizzo had told the group she had ‘eyes and ears everywhere.’

Davis recorded the meeting on April 27, because she claimed she suffers from an eye condition that leaves her disoriented.

But as a result, Lizzo held a meeting and had security confiscate dancers’ phones, the lawsuit claimed.

‘Lizzo became furious, hurling expletives at the group and stated that she was going to go around the room, person-by-person until someone told Lizzo who made the recording,’ the filing contended.

When Davis tried to tell Lizzo and Quigley she meant no harm recording the meeting, they berated her and Lizzo fired her on the spot, the suit read.

Rodriguez then expressed how she felt disrespected and threatened to resign – to which Lizzo said she was ‘lucky.’

When Rodriguez did indeed quit, Lizzo showed her two middle fingers and yelled a slur at her, the lawsuit claimed.

Entertainment

2Baba’s Family Declares Him Missing, Petitions DSS Amid Controversy

Published

3 weeks ago

February 14, 2025

Matthew Eloyi

The family of Nigerian music legend Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, has raised alarm over his disappearance, declaring him missing and petitioning the Department of State Services (DSS) for urgent intervention.

The petition, signed by Wilson Anuge of Anuge, Anuge & Co., has gone viral on social media, sparking widespread concern among fans and the entertainment industry.

The document states: “We are writing to urgently seek your assistance regarding a profoundly troubling situation involving a member of the Idibia Family.

“Mr. Innocent Idibia (also known as Tuface or 2Baba), our client, is reasonably believed to be missing since Monday, February 10.

“We believe that Mr. Innocent left his residence in the early hours of February 10 in his loungewear, suggestive that he was going on his habitual walk, but he has not returned home since then.

“In spite of the best efforts of his family members, staff, and management of his record label to reach or locate him, including reaching out to his friends and acquaintances, all efforts have proved abortive.

“They have been unable to establish any contact or ascertain his whereabouts.”

This development comes just 24 hours after 2Baba’s mother, Rose Idibia, made an emotional appeal to Nigerians, urging them to intervene in a situation involving Edo State lawmaker, Hon. Natasha Osawaru.

In a viral video, Mrs. Idibia accused the 31-year-old granddaughter of Chief Gabriel Igbinedion and Deputy Majority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly of casting a spell on the music star.

She alleged that her son was not in his right state of mind when he proposed to Osawaru, adding that his ongoing divorce battle with his estranged wife, Annie Idibia, had left him vulnerable.

“Good evening, Nigerians. My name is Mrs. Rose Idibia, the mother of 2Face,” she said in the video.

“This message is for Miss Natasha Osawaru of Edo State. I’m calling on all mothers in Nigeria to help me beg her to free my son.

“My son is going through a divorce process, and he is clearly not in his right senses now. I know my son well. That is not him.

“Please Natasha, the beads you put on his hand and on his neck, remove them and free him.”

2Baba’s rumored romance with Osawaru has been a trending topic all week, with reports of the singer visiting the Edo State Assembly complex and later being spotted with the lawmaker at a Lagos nightclub.

The situation has fueled public speculation, adding to concerns over the singer’s mysterious disappearance.

Entertainment

President Tinubu Hails Tems for Grammy Win, Celebrates Nigerian Music’s Global Impact

Published

1 month ago

February 3, 2025

Matthew Eloyi

President Tinubu Hails Tems for Grammy Win, Celebrates Nigerian Music's Global Impact

President Bola Tinubu has extended heartfelt congratulations to Temilade Openiyi, better known as Tems, for her remarkable achievement in winning the Best African Music Performance award at the 67th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday night.

In a statement issued by his spokesman, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the President praised the singer for her outstanding artistry, which has once again brought global recognition to Nigeria. “The President celebrates the rise of a new generation of young and multi-talented Nigerian musical artists who have propelled Afrobeats to international prominence, projecting the country’s reputation as a powerhouse of musical innovation, creativity, and cultural influence,” the statement read.

Tinubu highlighted the far-reaching impact of Nigerian music: “From Africa to Antarctica, Asia to Australia, Europe to the Americas, the Nigerian music industry, particularly, Afrobeats has become a source of national pride, promoting a sense of identity and self-expression while uniting people across borders.”

The President also congratulated other Nigerian artists nominated at this year’s Grammys: Yemi Alade, Asake, Wizkid, Lojay, Davido, and Burna Boy. He expressed gratitude for their role in putting Nigeria on the global map of great musical achievements, showcasing the country’s creative excellence.

“You are all inspiration and role models to many young people. The nation remains deeply grateful for your contributions to music, job creation, and tourism promotion. I wish you all continued success in your musical careers,” President Tinubu added.

Entertainment

Miss Nollywood moves to “patch” 64,000 potholes in 36 states

Published

5 months ago

October 21, 2024

Matthew Eloyi

Miss Nollywood moves to “patch” 64,000 potholes in 36 states

Miss Hassana Ozohu-Salisu, the 2024 Miss Nollywood international beauty pageant, is to embark on “patching” of 64, 000 potholes in the 36 states of the Federation.

Ozohu-Salihu, disclosed this during an interaction with members of the Correspondents Chapel, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Kogi Chapter, in Lokoja on Monday.

“The patching of potholes is one of my pet projects, aimed at saving lives.

“As a beauty queen, I am worried and concerned over the number accidents and lives lost due to potholes on roads across the country.

“This is why the Nollywood International, in conjunction with Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), is embarking on filling up 64,000 potholes across our roads, ” she said.

Ozohu-Salihu, who is the 11th Miss Nollywood International, also said that she was collaborating with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) .

“The corps is to ensure that drivers don’t drink and drive in line with our “Operation Don’t Drink and Drive Programme.”

According to her, the two projects were mainly designed to help save lives and properties of travellers on the roads across the nation.

She further mentioned the “No to Sex for Marks Syndrome” pet project to be intriduced in tertiary institutions.

“We are meeting with Vice Chancellors and Lecturers to ensure that the syndrome is eradicated to enable our young girls walk with their shoulders high and fulfill their God given destinies.

“I want to use this office to bring or effect a change in this country.

”I went into the pageant to feel what the models feel and bring a change. I want to be a model with a difference in Nigeria and the world over.

“These projects that I and my manager wish to embark on are projects that no pageant has ever ventured into in the history of Nigeria.

“Projects that no one has ever dreamed of or think of doing at my own age in the world of entertainment.

“A beautiful queen from Kogi is out to make an impact in the world and is in need of the support of all to succeed.

“We want a situation where we will not be heard in Nigeria alone but across the shores of America, Europe and Asia. These projects are projects of humanity and projects of change.

“It’s not just a dream but a mission that must come to fruition. It is a mission that will positively challenge the women and youths across the country to Arise and make a difference in the society, ” she said.

Also speaking, Mr Godwin Orits-Gee, the beauty queen’s Manager, who is also the Chief Executive Officer, (CEO) of Omedia Nigeria Limited solicited for the support of newsmen in Kogi to help her achieve her desired dreams.

“All the queen needs from you journalists, is the needed publicity of all her activities in the next one year. I strongly believe that , together, we can build a better nation,” the manager said.

Responding, Chairman of the Correspondent Chapel, NUJ, Segun Salami, assured the queen of the chapel’s support to her programmes