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Year in Review 2023: Lizzo Hit With Lawsuit as Ex-Dancers Accuse Star of Weight-Shaming, Hostile Work Environment, & More

Published: Sunday 31st Dec 2023 by Sam

Be it for the good, bad, ugly, or downright shocking, 2023 was full of monumentally memorable moments!

Now, as the year draws to a close, That Grape Juice is reflecting on the occasions that rocked – and to some degree maybe even reshaped – the Urban and Pop cultural landscape as we know it.

Next, we revisit the lawsuit that flipped Lizzo’s until-then unfettered narrative upside down.

Join us below…

2023 kicked off with Lizzo on a career-high.

Armed with the momentum of her 2022 smash ‘About Damn Time,’ the chart-topper set sail on the ‘Special Tour’ of arenas worldwide and looked to be climbing from strength to strength. Musically and beyond. Indeed, in addition to her touchdowns with music, she nabbed wins with her Yitty clothing line and Emmy Award-winning Prime Video series ‘Watch Out for the Big Grrrls.’

Then trouble struck.

A collection of previously employed dancers joined forces to file a scathing lawsuit against the star (and other entities in her current team) – leveling several shocking claims, including sexual harassment, weight-shaming, and creating a hostile work environment.

Central to the suit were suggestions that Lizzo – herself an advocate for body positivity – allegedly mocked a dancer for putting on weight. A story alleging being pressured into participating in a sex act involving a banana onstage at an Amsterdam show was also relayed.

Hitting back, Lizzo made clear that she was not the villain and that the suit amounted to nothing more than a shake-down attempt.