Lizzo Says She Won’t Settle Sexual Harassment Lawsuit, Plans to Fight Claims in Court
Lizzo says she has no intention of settling the sexual harassment lawsuit brought by three of her former backup dancers, signaling that the long-running legal dispute is likely headed toward trial as the pop star continues to deny the allegations.
In a televised interview on CBS Mornings with journalist Gayle King, the Grammy-winning artist addressed the case directly, describing the settlement as an option she could easily pursue, but one she believes would send the wrong message. “It would be the easy way out,” she said, adding that she intends to fight the claims because she maintains they are untrue.
The lawsuit, originally filed in August 2023, came at a moment when Lizzo was at a professional high point. Fresh off a Grammy win for Record of the Year for “About Damn Time” and following the conclusion of her Special world tour, the singer was accused by former dancers Crystal Williams, Arianna Davis, and Noelle Rodriguez of misconduct, including sexual harassment and fostering a hostile workplace environment.
Among the most widely publicized allegations was a claim that Lizzo engaged in fat-shaming behavior toward one of the dancers, Arianna Davis, and later terminated her employment due to weight gain. The accusation drew particular attention, given Lizzo’s public advocacy around body positivity and self-acceptance. In her interview, the singer acknowledged the seriousness of that claim, noting that it resonated beyond the courtroom because of her public image and influence.
In December 2025, a judge dismissed several of the lawsuit’s key allegations, including the fat-shaming claim. While that decision narrowed the scope of the case, other accusations remain active and unresolved.
One of the central claims still at issue involves an incident during a trip to Amsterdam in early 2023. According to the complaint, Lizzo allegedly pressured a dancer to engage in a sexually explicit act involving a performer at a venue in the city’s Red Light District. Lizzo has denied that allegation, as she has with the broader claims made against her.
Speaking candidly in the interview, the artist indicated she is prepared to testify if the case proceeds to trial. She framed her stance as a commitment to clearing her name rather than seeking a quick resolution. “I’m not afraid of the truth,” she said, arguing that the reality of the situation is less sensational than the public narrative surrounding it.
The lawsuit has become one of the most closely watched legal battles involving a major pop figure in recent years, in part because it intersects with broader conversations in the entertainment industry about workplace conduct, power dynamics, and accountability.
The singer’s comments come as she returns to promoting new music. She recently released the single “Bitch,” the lead track from her upcoming album of the same name, scheduled for release on June 5. The song draws from earlier feminist pop influences, incorporating elements of Meredith Brooks’ 1997 hit “Bitch” as well as Missy Elliott’s “She’s a Bitch.” Lizzo has described the track as an attempt to reclaim and reframe language often used against women, positioning it as an extension of themes she has explored throughout her career.
