Lizzo’s Former Backup Dancers Arianna Davis and Crystal Williams SPEAK OUT About Lawsuit Alleging They Were Shamed And Pressured To Touch Naked Performer In Strip Club
Arianna Davis and Crystal Williams, two of the former backup dancers who accused Lizzo of creating a hostile work environment and sexual harassment in a lawsuit, have opened up about their alleged experiences working with the superstar in a new interview.
The two dancers have during an interview with CBS news.
Davis claimed that Lizzo urged her to touch the naked stripper and made the entire club chant her name before finally giving in despite her reluctance to do so.
“It’s an understanding in the camp that if you don’t really get involved and try to get in with Lizzo, you won’t get booked for that many jobs. She won’t like you very much. You’ll be banned later,” Davis began.
Davis alleged that both she and co-prosecutor Noelle Rodriguez were reluctant to attend the show, but went anyway and stayed in the corner away from the stage.
However, Davis claims she was “chosen” by Lizzo to touch the dancer.
Arianna Davis and Crystal Williams, two of the former backup dancers who have accused Lizzo of creating a hostile work environment and sexual harassment in a lawsuit, have shed light on their alleged experiences working with the superstar in a new interview
“She walked around a bit and invited people to touch the naked performers. And I think it was my turn,” Davis claimed.
Davis claimed that Lizzo started chanting her name after her previous attempts to get her to touch the dancer failed. She was like, “Oh Ari, it’s your turn to do it.” And I was like, “No, I’m fine.” “No, come on, do it.” I said no again and she said “Ari! Ari! Ari!” And then everyone in the club kind of joins in, they say, “Ari! Ari!” So of course I had to do it because I couldn’t get out of that situation.’
“I didn’t like to get out of that situation. So I just touched, you know, and everyone started laughing. It was funny to them because I of all people — they see me as a very humble or, you know, that kind of person.”
“I was terrified,” she said. “I even remember trying to deal with how uncomfortable I was by making a joke about the lotion the nude artist was wearing… I tried to laugh it off, and sadly, I left with Noelle shortly after.”
The two dancers detailed examples in the lawsuit – including allegedly being pressured to touch a naked performer during a show in Amsterdam’s red light district – during an interview with CBS News.