Lizzo Addresses ‘False Allegations’ in Recent Statement

In a revealing post on her Substack platform, Grammy-winning artist Lizzo has called attention to what she describes as the damaging effects of false sexual assault allegations, arguing they harm genuine victims of trauma.

The “About Damn Time” singer expressed concern not primarily for those falsely accused but for actual survivors watching these public spectacles unfold. “Real victims of sexual assault, rape, sexual harassment and the millions of people who’ve been subjected to violence” often remain silent “because no one believes them,” she wrote in her December 20 post.

Lizzo pointed to victims who lack the resources to challenge powerful individuals, noting that those harmed by someone who isn’t wealthy or famous struggle to find representation. “Pro-bono lawyers incentivized by large settlements won’t take their case,” she stated, adding that these individuals “have to keep living their lives while they watch the world make light of the exact kind of trauma they’ve endured.”

The singer criticized social media comment sections as “battlegrounds saturated with hearsay,” making credibility harder to establish. She argued that regardless of courtroom outcomes, the “court of public opinion” delivers the most lasting verdict. “It’s the sentence that stains you no matter what happens,” she wrote.

Lizzo also questioned how the “believe all women movement” has evolved, suggesting it has sometimes been weaponized. She called for a nuanced conversation about how factors including gender, race, and sexuality influence perceptions of victims, warning that “the longer we wait to address this issue the longer real victims get marginalized.”

Her comments come against the backdrop of her own ongoing legal battle. In August 2023, former dancers Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez filed a lawsuit against Lizzo alleging sexual, religious, and racial harassment, disability discrimination, assault, and false imprisonment. The dancers had also accused the singer of “fat-shaming” them, a claim that was recently dismissed.

Just days before her Substack post, Lizzo addressed this development in a video on social media, stating, “The fat-shaming claims against me have been officially dropped by my accusers. They conceded it had no merit in court.” She vehemently denied ever firing employees for weight gain, asserting instead that the terminations occurred because they “took a private recording of me without my consent and sending it off to ex-employees.”

The singer emphasized her history of supporting plus-sized individuals and sharing her platform with them. “This claim has haunted me since the day it came out,” she wrote, adding that she would not settle but would “be fighting every single claim until the truth is out.”

However, Ron Zambrano, attorney for the former dancers, quickly responded to Lizzo’s statement, cautioning against premature celebration. “Seven claims, including assault, false imprisonment, and sexual harassment, are waiting for Lizzo and her team at the end of the appellate process,” he said.

Zambrano challenged Lizzo’s characterization of events, claiming that “Lizzo’s legal position is that fat shaming is OK because it’s an exercise of her free speech.” He maintained that Williams was fired for “standing up for what was right” while Davis was terminated for recording a conversation that she “bravely admitted to doing so despite the consequences.”

The case highlights the complex intersection of celebrity culture, social media, and serious allegations in the entertainment industry. As legal proceedings continue, Lizzo’s comments have opened a broader conversation about how public accusations affect both the accused and genuine victims seeking justice.

The ongoing dispute underscores tensions within the music industry regarding workplace conduct and accountability, particularly as the sector continues to reckon with power dynamics in the post-#MeToo era.