Lizzo interview hints at trouble before harassment claims came to light

The pop star has opened up during an interview while on her Australian tour, days before allegations against were unearthed.

Lizzo sat down with 60 MInutes reporter Tom Steinfort just days before a lawsuit was filed against the pop star by three of her former dancers. Picture: 60 Minutes

Flautist-turned-pop sensation Lizzo says she still feels like people “get good” from her being down, as she faces allegations of assault and harassment from three of her backup dancers.

She’s made the comments in a segment of Sunday’s 60 Minutes program, when she was interviewed during her Australian tour, and mere days before the allegations against her went public.

Speaking to Nine’s Tom Steinfort, Lizzo, real name Melissa Jefferson, admitted during the interview she was having a “rough day.”

Lizzo sat down with 60 Minutes reporter Tom Steinfort just days before a lawsuit was filed against the pop star by three of her former dancers. Picture: 60 Minutes

“And I still feel like, for some odd reason, even if I‘m having a bad day or if I‘m going through something, people still get good from it,” she told Mr Steinfort and the 60 Minutes crew, who at the time no clue of the allegations that were about to come to light.

Three former dancers for Lizzo’s production company Big Grrrls Big Tour, Inc., Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez have taken action against the 35-year-old pop star, her company, and her dance captain Shirlene Quigley in a Los Angeles court.

The suit alleges instances of misconduct took place between 2021 and 2023, with claims of sexual denigration, hostile working conditions, and even instances of body shaming.

The body shaming claims raising eyebrows around the world, since Lizzo has built her image as a “fat, black woman,” her own words, with many of her song lyrics featuring messages of body positivity and loving oneself.

Lizzo has a string of hits under her belt, including Good As Hell, About Damn Time, and Juice. Picture: Suzanne Cordeiro / AFP

“I think, you know, when first started saying I love myself, it was radical, and it was necessary because people didn't believe it,” Lizzo told 60 Minutes.

“People were like, ‘but why would you love yourself, you‘re fat?’And it‘s like, yeah, that’s the point, like, fat

people can love themselves.”

Some of the most damning allegations stem from an incident in an Amsterdam nightclub in February, in which the three plaintiffs were allegedly coerced into engaging with sex workers.

Lizzo has since released a statement on her Instagram account, saying the days since the lawsuit was filed have been “gut-wrenching.”

Lizzo's statement addressing the lawsuit, posted to her Instagram on Friday. Reaction from fans has been mixed.

“My work ethic, morals, and respectfulness have been questioned,” she writes.

“My character has been criticized. Usually I chose not to respond to false allegations but these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous to not be addressed.

“The sensationalized stories are coming from former employees who have already publicly admitted they were told their behavior on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional.”

Lizzo wrapped up her Australian The Special Tour on July 23, after playing in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, and headlining the Splendour in the Grass Festival near Byron Bay.