Lizzo Celebrates Dismissal of Fat-Shaming Claims in Lawsuit Filed by Former Dancers
Lizzo has secured a partial legal victory in the ongoing lawsuit filed by several former backup dancers, with a Los Angeles judge dismissing claims that the pop star fat-shamed one of the plaintiffs and terminated her because of weight gain.
The lawsuit, originally filed in 2023 by former dancers Arianna Davis, Noelle Rodriguez, and Crystal Williams, accuses Lizzo of sexual harassment, creating a hostile work environment, and retaliatory termination. While the court allowed the majority of the case to proceed, Judge Mark H. Epstein ruled that the specific claims related to fat-shaming and weight-based discrimination did not meet the legal threshold required to move forward.
The dismissed claims centered on allegations by Davis that Lizzo criticized her for gaining weight and fired her as a result. The judge’s ruling concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support those assertions under California law. The decision marks a significant moment in a case that has drawn widespread attention, given Lizzo’s public advocacy for body positivity and inclusion.
Lizzo has consistently denied all allegations in the lawsuit. Following the ruling, the singer addressed the decision publicly, sharing a statement on social media that framed the dismissal as a personal and professional vindication.
“This fat-shaming claim has haunted me since the day it came out,” Lizzo wrote. “It was devastating to suffer through this in silence.” She added that she has “only encouraged and supported people with bigger bodies” throughout her career and said the court’s decision affirmed what she has maintained since the beginning: that the allegation was untrue.
“There was no evidence that I fired them because they gained weight,” she continued. “Because it never happened. Now the truth is finally out.”
According to Lizzo, the dancers were terminated for reasons unrelated to their physical appearance. In her statement, she claimed they were dismissed after allegedly recording her without consent and sharing the footage with former employees, an accusation that has not been adjudicated by the court as part of the ruling.
While Lizzo’s legal team declined to comment on the judge’s decision, the plaintiffs’ attorney, Ron Zambrano, confirmed that his clients do not intend to appeal the dismissal of the fat-shaming claims. In a statement, Zambrano emphasized that the lawsuit remains largely intact and said the plaintiffs chose to focus their efforts on the claims that survived judicial scrutiny.
“We are maintaining that Judge Epstein was correct in his ruling denying Lizzo’s special motion to strike the vast majority of claims they attacked,” Zambrano said, referencing causes of action including false imprisonment and harassment. “Of the couple of claims Judge Epstein did dismiss, the plaintiffs have taken a considered approach to leave that be.”
Zambrano added that the remaining allegations still raise serious concerns about workplace conduct and accountability. The defendants, he said, have not shown the same willingness to objectively assess the court’s findings.
The case continues to move forward on multiple fronts, with claims involving alleged inappropriate conduct during tour-related events and rehearsals still pending. Lizzo has made it clear that she does not plan to settle.
The lawsuit has had significant repercussions for Lizzo, both publicly and professionally. Since the allegations surfaced, she has spoken candidly about the emotional toll of the legal battle and the scrutiny that followed.
As the case proceeds, the partial dismissal underscores the complexity of the claims and highlights the legal distinction between reputational narratives and what can be substantiated in court.
