A documentary director bashed Lizzo’s allegedly rude behavior as the Grammy winner’s character continues to be called into question due to a bombshell lawsuit.
Sophia Nahli Allison tweeted Tuesday that she wanted to speak up against Lizzo because “validating other Black women’s experiences is deeply important” to her, referencing the three backup dancers who sued the “about Damn Time” singer for sexual harassment, creating a hostile work environment, discrimination and other claims.
The filmmaker began by sharing a photo of herself holding a large camera during a concert, explaining that she had “traveled a bit with Lizzo” in 2019 for the “Love, Lizzo” doc, which HBO Max released in 2022.
Allison claimed she “walked away” from the project “after about 2 weeks” because she was “treated with such disrespect” by the “Special” performer.
“I witnessed how arrogant, self-centered, and unkind she is,” she further alleged.
Allison continued, “My spirit said to run as fast as you f–king can and I’m so grateful I trusted my gut. I felt gas lit and was deeply hurt, but I’ve healed.”
The director, 36, said that reading dancers Arianna Davis, Noelle Rodriguez and Crystal Williams’ allegations against Lizzo, 35, made her realize “how dangerous of a situation” her own experience was.
She concluded, “This kind of abuse of power happens far too often. Much love and support to the dancers.”
Allison later doubled down on her claims Wednesday, tweeting that she has spoken to people who “privately shared” their own “very similar experiences” with her.
She then alleged, “Lizzo creates an extremely toxic and hostile working environment and undermines the labor, work and authority of other black and brown womxn in the process.
The director noted that she was replaced by a “cis white man” and further claimed Lizzo was a “narcissistic bully” that has “built her brand off of lies.”
“I was excited to support and protect a Black woman through the documentary process but quickly learned her image and ‘message’ was a curated facade,” Allison concluded.
Pvnew has reached out to Lizzo’s reps for comment on Allison’s tweets but did not immediately hear back in time for publication. The pop star has not yet addressed the lawsuit either.
In the meantime, others have come forward to show their support for Davis, Rodriguez and Williams.
Dancer Courtney Hollinquest alleged via her Instagram Story on Tuesday that what the pro dancers claimed in the suit was “very much [her] experience in [her] time there.”
“Big shoutout to the dancers who had the courage to bring this to light,” she added.
Quinn Whitney Wilson, Lizzo’s former creative director, then reposted Hollinquest’s statement and wrote over it, “I haven’t been apart of that world for around three years, for a reason.
“I very much applaud the dancers courage to bring this to light. and I grieve parts of my own experience. I’d appreciate space to understand my feelings.”
In the lawsuit obtained by Pvnew and filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday, Lizzo — along with her production company, Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc., and dance captain Shirlene Quigley — were accused of creating a “sexually charged and uncomfortable” work environment.
One of the most scandalous allegations against the “Truth Hurts” singer is that she brought her dancers in February to an adult entertainment club in Amsterdam, where she encouraged them to partake in lewd behavior with which they were not comfortable.
“Lizzo began inviting cast members to take turns touching the nude performers, catching dildos launched from the performers’ vaginas, and eating bananas protruding from the performers’ vaginas,” the suit stated.
During another incident, Lizzo allegedly weight-shamed Davis, who had previously disclosed a history of mental health issues, including binge-eating, depression and anxiety.
The “Rumors” singer allegedly also once held a nearly 12-hour re-audition for all dancers with “no breaks,” which resulted in Davis soiling herself out of fear of being fired if she left the rehearsal space.
Rodriguez, for her part, accused Lizzo of getting into a heated dispute with her before she resigned, with the musician allegedly “cracking her knuckles, balling her fists, and exclaiming, ‘You’re lucky. You’re so f–king lucky!’”
Meanwhile, Williams claimed she was fired in late April for “budget cuts,” just one week after she spoke up in a meeting as Lizzo allegedly accused the dancers of drinking before shows.
The allegations have caused an uproar on social media and even resulted in Beyoncé omitting Lizzo’s name from her “Break My Soul (The Queens Remix)” during a tour stop in Massachusetts on Tuesday.
