Lizzo harassment lawsuit

Photo Credit: Andy Witchger

A federal judge has ruled that Lizzo is no longer personally liable for the harassment lawsuit filed against her last year. Her touring company Big Grrrl Touring Inc. could still be subject to action, however.

Lizzo’s former touring employee Asha Daniels filed the lawsuit against the singer last year for the work she performed while on the 2023 European tour. U.S. District Judge Fernando L. Aenlle-Rocha dismissed all seven causes of action against Lizzo—ruling that Daniels can’t try again. Lizzo’s tour manager Carlina Gugliotta was also dismissed from the suit.

“Lizzo’s company was not dismissed,” Daniels’ attorney Ron Zambrano stated. “The lawsuit still exists as to Lizzo’s companies and Lizzo and her tour manager will still be deposed in this matter.”

“We are very pleased that the court dismissed every claim against Lizzo and the overtime wages claim against all of our clients including Big Grrrl Touring in this specious lawsuit filed by Asha Daniels,” Lizzo’s attorney Martin D. Singer told Rolling Stone. “My client should never have been sued in this matter and [we] are evaluating suing Asha Daniels and her attorneys for malicious prosecution. We are very confident that Big Grrrl Touring will also prevail in this action.”

Asha Daniels filed her lawsuit back in September 2023 and alleged an atmosphere of racist and fatphobia, sexual harassment, and disability discrimination. She claims a wardrobe manager physically injured her by rolling a clothing rack over her foot and pushing her. Lizzo’s lawyers fired back, describing Daniels as a ‘disgruntled’ employee with an axe to grind across 2021 to 2023.

The 50-page action alleges Daniels first assisted Lizzo’s tour in September 2022 where she designed custom pieces for dancers. She was hired as an in-person role to maintain dancers outfits in February 2024 but says she witnessed the mistreatment of several background dancers. She says Carlina Gugliotta was aware of the issues but that the “toxic work environment continued without change.”

Lizzo and Big Grrrl Touring Company have requested that the court dismiss all dancers’ allegations; meanwhile the dancers are requesting a jury trial.