Platinum artist Lizzo made a rare appearance at the Grammys, presenting an award just six months after facing accusations of sexual harassment from her dancers, Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez. Despite vehemently denying the allegations, Lizzo, whose full name is Melissa Viviane Jefferson, opted not to address the controversy while presenting the Best R&B Song award to SZA. The 35-year-old artist elicited cheers from the audience as she briefly danced to her song ‘About Damn Time’ before revealing the award recipient.
In September, the trio of dancers filed a civil lawsuit against Lizzo, alleging various charges, including sexual, religious, and racial harassment, as well as disability discrimination, assault, and false imprisonment. The legal complaint targets Lizzo, her production company Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc., and Shirlene Quigley, captain of Lizzo’s dance team.
Lizzo’s legal team responded to the allegations by asserting that the dancers were “guilty of unclean hands,” citing ethical breaches in the lawsuit. They argued that the dancers failed to follow internal protocols and that there is no evidence of damages caused by Lizzo’s actions.
SZA runs on stage to hug Lizzo after winning the award for Best R&B Song at the 2024 #Grammys pic.twitter.com/JEl4DSAFmH
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 5, 2024
This Grammys appearance marked Lizzo’s first public event since the controversy emerged. The artist, who won a Grammy herself last year, embraced SZA upon the New Jersey singer winning the award, fostering an amicable atmosphere despite the ongoing legal dispute. The dancers’ lawsuit against Lizzo seeks unspecified damages, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing legal saga surrounding the acclaimed singer.
