SZA Speaks on Lizzo Allegations: ‘Nobody Cleared Her Name for Her’

Last week, Lizzo dropped the deluxe version of My Face Still Hurts From Smiling, her first project since 2022. Among those featured on the mixtape is SZA, who, in a New York Magazine profile of Lizzo published today, spoke on the allegations of Lizzo’s abusive behavior toward backup dancers and others on her Special Tour, which ran from September 2022 through July 2023.

“It was so weird to watch everybody attack her because it actually had nothing to do with what was going on,” SZA told the outlet.

After the tour concluded, three dancers—Crystal Williams, Arianna Davis, and Noelle Rodriguez—brought a lawsuit against Lizzo, alongside her one-time dance captain and touring company. The suit alleges that the dancers were subjected to 12-hour rehearsal days in an environment in which one was afraid to take a bathroom break; that Lizzo pressured them to visit strip clubs with her; and that, at a club in Amsterdam, Lizzo “cheered loudly to motivate” them to eat a banana protruding from a performer’s vagina.

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One of the wardrobe assistants for Lizzo’s dancers, Asha Daniels, then filed a lawsuit alleging she’d been subjected to “racist” and “fatphobic” comments, as well as sexual harassment.

As the story notes, the lawsuits are ongoing, with Daniels' set to go to trial in December (with the tour company, not Lizzo, as a defendant). Lizzo’s legal team has tried unsuccessfully to have the case brought by the dancers thrown out.

“I think what’s special about my friend is she is a master healer,” SZA said. “She is always going to get to the bottom of herself. Nobody cleared her name for her. Nobody could give her that vindication; she gave it to herself. I just felt like she 100 percent genie’d herself through that.”

The profile also sees Lizzo discuss her forthcoming album, Love in Real Life, described as “rock and roll,” and her boyfriend, Myke.

“I’m really grateful to have someone who’s extremely supportive, who doesn’t ask for shit from me, nor does he need shit from me,” Lizzo said. “He pours into me. He takes care of me.”

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