Former backup dancers of singer Lizzo are intensifying their legal battle, urging an appeals court to reinstate their sexual-harassment lawsuit and reject Lizzo’s attempt to shield certain allegations under the First Amendment.
According to Billboard, the dancers argue that the alleged actions they described — including claims that they were pressured to touch nude performers and eat bananas from their genitals during outings overseas — do not amount to “creative expression” and should not be protected as free speech.
The appeal follows a 2024 court ruling that allowed parts of the lawsuit to move forward, even though the judge dismissed the widely publicized fat-shaming allegation. Despite that dismissal, the court held that the remaining claims were “equally salacious” and serious enough to warrant a trial.
The plaintiffs are now asking the appeals court to reopen the case fully, allowing a jury to consider the allegations and a judge to rule on the matter.
