Why was Lizzo dropped from Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show consideration? Rapper to not perform amid sexual harassment allegations
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Lizzo has been dropped from Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show consideration after she faced a number of shocking sexual harassment and fat-shaming allegations from former dancers.
The unexpected incident has created a dent in the 35-year-old's image and now her team is trying their best to 'save her sinking ship' of a career.
The pop star, who calls herself a body-positive activist, found herself in the midst of a sensational scandal earlier this month when three of her former dancers, Crystal Williams, Noelle Rodriguez and Arianna Davis, filed a lawsuit against her, accusing the 'About Damn Time' singer of creating a "hostile work environment".
Why has Lizzo been dropped from Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show consideration?
According to Daily Mail, an NFL insider said that the ongoing backlash over the allegations has prompted the organization to immediately drop Lizzo from Super Bowl Halftime Show contention.
This shocking turn of events comes after she was considered one of the front-runners for the 2024 spectacle.
"Talks of Lizzo being a part of the Halftime festivities or performing the National Anthem are dead now that she is surrounded by scandal," the source said in the wake of the accusations which Lizzo denies.
Lizzo's team is facing an uphill task of protecting her image
After the news regarding Lizzo's removal from the potential line-up at this year's Super Bowl came to light, it is now being claimed that her team is now tasked with the challenging responsibility of protecting her career and reputation.
A second source close to the outlet told that her team is "desperately trying to come up with a strategy to save her sinking ship." "It is becoming more and more difficult with more people coming forth accusing her of extremely inappropriate acts," the source added.
The source continued, "Lizzo has raked in a massive amount of money but her minute is pretty much up it seems and no one knows if she will be able to recover from this. If she speaks out, her statements are shredded. If she stays quiet, she is called a coward. Either way, it does not appear at this moment that she can recover from this."
Six more complaints against Lizzo
Attorneys representing three of Lizzo's former backup dancers who filed a lawsuit alleging weight shaming and sexual harassment at work revealed that they now have six other people who have submitted complaints along similar lines.
Ron Zambrano, a lawyer representing backup dancers Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez, said his firm is now looking into these claims. As per NBC News, Zambrano said that the six new victims toured with Lizzo either as back-up dancers or on her Amazon Studios show.
He described the complaints to be revolving around an alleged "sexually charged environment" on Lizzo's tour and failure to pay employees.
What are the allegations against Lizzo?
Dancers Davis, Williams and Rodriguez sat down for an interview with 'Good Morning America' last week where they described the rapper as 'fat-phobic' and shared bitter experiences from their time touring with their former employer.
"I know it's alarming to hear that Lizzo, a plus-size woman who preaches body positivity, would be fat-phobic, essentially. But I want to challenge people to understand that hurt people hurt people", Davis said.
Davis recalled the moment when Lizzo threatened her after she told her that she wanted to resign because she felt "unsafe" and "disrespected."
"She basically started to ball up her fists and crack her knuckles, and she was like, 'you're so effin lucky right now,' as she's like inching her way towards me," Davis said.
Rodriguez then alleged that Lizzo's best friend jumped off the couch and had to physically restrain her. Davis also broke down while she was shedding light on the incident when Lizzo allegedly pressured her into touching a nude performer at a sex show in Amsterdam.
"She started a chant after I said "no" multiple times," Davis said, explaining how Lizzo began to chant her name, 'Ari'. She added, "I briefly touched the performer and withdrew my hands, and you know, everyone kind of burst into laughter 'cause me of all people they thought it was funny that I was touching this performer.'"
The dancers also claimed they felt like their job was always on the line. "Our jobs are always being threatened. I personally never had job security in this whole - this whole entire time," Davis said.
While Davis and Williams were fired, Rodriguez resigned in what she claims was a reply to the pair's alleged treatment.