Lizzo's Touring Company Wins Dismissal of Harassment Lawsuit

A federal judge dismissed the remaining harassment and discrimination claims against Lizzo's touring company Sept. 1, ending a nearly three-year lawsuit filed by a former wardrobe employee.

U.S. District Judge Fernando L. Aenlle-Rocha granted summary judgment in favor of Big Grrrl Big Touring in the lawsuit filed by Asha Daniels, according to The New York Times. Daniels accused the company and members of Lizzo's touring staff of sexual and racial harassment, disability discrimination and creating a hostile work environment during Lizzo's 2023 tour. Lizzo, whose legal name is Melissa Jefferson, was dismissed as an individual defendant in 2024.

Six days after the ruling, Lizzo discussed the period of public scrutiny surrounding her career during a recorded interview on Dax Shepard's "Armchair Expert" podcast.

"I wasn't even really perceiving how famous I had gotten," Lizzo said. "I feel like a regular girl in the Twin Cities, walk into the bar, going to get some cheese curds and a beer. I still feel like that girl."

Daniels filed her lawsuit in 2023 after working on the European leg of Lizzo's Special Tour. In his ruling, Aenlle-Rocha found that Daniels had not presented sufficient evidence to support the remaining claims against Big Grrrl Big Touring. Daniels' attorney, Ron Zambrano, disputed the decision and said the evidence should have been considered by a jury, according to The New York Times.

The dismissal does not resolve a separate lawsuit filed in 2023 by three former dancers, Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez. That lawsuit includes allegations of sexual harassment and a hostile work environment. Lizzo has denied those allegations, and the case remains ongoing.

Lizzo discussed that separate case during a May 8 interview with Gayle King on CBS Mornings. The 37-minute interview addressed the lawsuit along with her music, body image and other developments in her career. Lizzo said she intends to continue fighting the dancers' allegations rather than settle the case.

During her September "Armchair Expert" appearance, Lizzo described how closely her activities were being followed during the height of her career.

"But the whole world is like, everything I did was news," Lizzo said. "I had been going full throttle. It was like, clothing line. It was like, TV show, tour, album, actually really doing well."

Following the Sept. 1 ruling, Lizzo publicly welcomed the decision and said she would continue contesting other claims made against her and her businesses. Daniels' attorney, Ron Zambrano, criticized the ruling and said the evidence should have been considered by a jury, according to The New York Times.