Singer Lizzo has requested that Los Angeles court officials dismiss her harassment and discrimination lawsuit, according to the Los Angeles Times. The lawsuit was filed against her in September by New York designer Asha Daniels. Lizzo’s recent motion was filed on Friday in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
In the motion, Lizzo called Asha’s suit “meritless and salacious.” She also said that Asha has “no basis to seek recovery under California statutes.” Along with the “Truth Hurts” singer herself, Asha’s lawsuit listed her touring company, wardrobe manager and touring manager as co-defendants.
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Lizzo Denies Allegations and Makes Claims of Her Own
In Lizzo’s motion, she alleged that Asha was a New York resident, and that her company, Big Grrrl Big Touring Inc., was based in Delaware. She also alleged that Asha “exclusively” worked on the tour in Europe. Asha’s role with Lizzo was reportedly to design costumes for the Grammy winner’s backup dancers.
Additionally, Lizzo described the designer as a “disgruntled” employee.” She went on to say that Asha allegedly “refused to comply with instructions from her supervisors and tour management.” She also alleged that Asha “failed to perform the work that she was assigned, and eventually, just played hooky and refused to show up for work.”
Asha’s attorney responded to the news of the motion in a statement shared with the LA Times. The lawyer, Ron Zambrano, dismissed the singer’s request, describing it as “yet another Hail Mary.”
He alleged that Lizzo had filed the motion “to try to shift blame to the victims.” He also made reference to another harassment lawsuit filed by three of Lizzo’s former dancers. Asha’s attorney continued by saying that “Lizzo and her lawyers can continue trying to rationalize her illegal and wretched conduct.”
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“But we remain committed to seeking justice for our clients, and look forward to our day in court where Lizzo can explain her behavior in a public forum,” he added.
Asha’s Allegations Against Lizzo: A Toxic Workplace
Asha had alleged that Lizzo’s brand of body positivity, diversity and empowerment were just a facade. She also alleged that she was introduced to a “culture of racism and bullying” when she started working on Lizzo’s tour in February this year. The designer claimed that she was made to work an intense work schedule. She also detailed several alleged incidents and comments made by Lizzo’s wardrobe manager about both the singer and her dancers.
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Asha then claimed that she had informed the tour manager about the comments, but that her complaints were dismissed. Asha alleged that “the toxic work environment continued without change.” She also alleged in her suit that she was fired before her contract was set to end in March 2023, among other allegations.
The lawsuit filed by Lizzo’s former dancers Crystal Williams, Arianna Davis and Noelle Rodriguez made some similar allegations as made in Asha’s lawsuit. Both lawsuits mentioned incidents involving crew members and management in Amsterdam during Lizzo’s tour. According to the LA Times, Asha is seeking a wide range of damages connected to her allegation.
These include unpaid wages, loss of earnings, deferred compensation, employment benefits, emotional distress, medical expenses and legal fees.
