Lizzo is taking a stand against the serious allegations laid out in a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by three former backup dancers. The lawsuit, which revolves around an incident that allegedly took place at a notorious Amsterdam club, Bananenbar, has made headlines for its disturbing claims, but the Grammy-winning artist is now offering her side of the story.
In a candid conversation with host Keke Palmer on the Baby, This Is Keke Palmer podcast, released on December 19, Lizzo, 36, addressed the controversial night at the club in question. The star defended the evening, which featured “exotic performers,” calling it “wild” but insisting that the experience was “very consensual” for everyone involved.
The night in question reportedly took place at Bananenbar, a venue where attendees can interact with nude performers, an environment that has clearly sparked significant controversy. However, according to Lizzo, the evening was far from the chaotic and non-consensual scenario depicted in the lawsuit.
The Truth Hurts singer recalled that she had initially attended the club solo, only for one of her dancers—whom she described as both a colleague and a friend—to invite others to join. “What? It’s your birthday. You’re in Amsterdam, and you’ve got nowhere to go? Come through!” Lizzo said she told the dancer when she was asked about their plans.
“I didn’t know who exactly was coming,” Lizzo admitted, adding, “They were like, 17 of us wanna come. I was like, ‘Oh, OK. Pull up.’ That’s my nature.” The singer emphasized that the atmosphere was always fun and friendly, with no one feeling pressured into doing anything they weren’t comfortable with. She stressed the importance of consent throughout the evening, revealing that the performer would often check in with the guests, asking, “Would you like to do this? Would you like to do that?”—and if the answer was “no,” they simply moved on.
“It was consensual all night long,” Lizzo said, explaining that such interactions were a normal part of the venue’s longstanding tradition. “If they were doing things non-consensually, they would have been sued,” she pointed out, underscoring the establishment’s commitment to consent. “This bar has been like this since 1945,” she added, suggesting that the idea of coercion or lack of consent was simply not aligned with the club’s culture.
However, the dancers’ lawsuit paints a different picture, claiming that they felt pressured into engaging in certain activities that made them uncomfortable. One of the dancers, Noelle Rodriguez, described how Lizzo allegedly encouraged another dancer, Arianna Davis, to touch the breasts of one of the performers—something Davis reportedly did not want to do. “I was sick to my stomach for Arianna,” Rodriguez said in a previous interview with PEOPLE. “But I totally understand how somebody in a position of power could have that power over somebody to make her feel like she had to.”
Attorney Ron Zambrano, representing the plaintiffs, has argued that Lizzo is failing to grasp the power dynamic at play in her relationship with the dancers. “There is an utter lack of awareness by Lizzo,” Zambrano said in a statement. “These young women on her team who are just starting their careers would feel pressured to accept an invitation from their global celebrity boss who rarely hangs out with them.”
The lawsuit, which includes allegations of sexual, religious, and racial harassment, as well as disability discrimination and assault, remains in the courts. Lizzo, who vehemently denies all the claims, has faced heavy scrutiny, but she remains steadfast in her version of the events. “There were some wild moments, but everybody had a great time,” she said, reinforcing that the evening was about enjoyment and personal choice.
While Lizzo’s defense insists on the consensual nature of the event, the legal battle is far from over. The lawsuit alleges much more serious incidents, including claims of sexual coercion, public humiliation, and even false imprisonment. The case will return to court for a hearing on January 14, and Lizzo may have to answer for her actions under oath.
Lizzo’s legal woes are compounded by another ongoing case—one filed by her former stylist, Asha Daniels, who accuses Lizzo of workplace harassment. While Daniels’ individual lawsuit has been dismissed, she continues to pursue legal action against Lizzo’s touring and payroll companies.
For now, Lizzo’s fans are caught between conflicting narratives, with some supporting her claims of innocence and others standing by the dancers’ allegations of exploitation and discomfort. As the lawsuits progress, it’s clear that Lizzo’s reputation and her “body-positive” brand are on the line, and the outcome of these legal battles could change the way the public views the star in the months to come.
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