In August 2023, Lizzo found herself in the middle of a legal battle. Three of her former backup dancers sued her, claiming they were sexually harassed and mistreated during her tour. Despite the heavy publicity surrounding the lawsuit, Lizzo explained that her decision to step out of the public eye wasn’t because of the scandal. It had actually been planned for a while. During an interview on the “On Purpose” podcast with Jay Shetty, Lizzo revealed that she needed time off to “protect her peace” and that it was part of her strategy to take a break once her album cycle was over.
Lizzo made it clear that she planned to be out of the spotlight. She wanted time away from media appearances and interviews. “I had planned on being off cycle. That means no interviews, no media. My album cycle was done,” Lizzo shared. She continued, saying that the real reason for her return was the completion of her album. “The best reason I’m back now is my album’s done. I am a musical artist, and that’s my job,” she added. Lizzo breaks the silence to emphasize her commitment to her music career.
A Vacation and a Scandal
Lizzo’s time away also included a planned vacation to Japan. She went to Kyoto to relax in nature and meditate. She intended to disappear for a while to recharge. However, just as she was winding down in the woods, the lawsuit against her broke in the news. Lizzo admits that it made her appear as if she was hiding from the public, but she insists that wasn’t the case. “This was planned… I’m in Japan, I’m meditating, and the scandal just happened,” she recalled. She wanted to be open with her fans and explained that her break had nothing to do with the lawsuit.
Returning to Work After the Break
After her vacation, Lizzo returned to Los Angeles in October 2023. She was ready to get back to work in the studio. But when she got home, she realized that the stress of everything was much deeper than she had thought. “When I landed in Los Angeles, I had my first panic attack,” she said. She was overwhelmed by a sense of dread and anxiety that she had never felt before. “I felt something was wrong with my chest,” she explained. Lizzo breaks down the emotional toll publicly. Despite dealing with anxiety for years, this was different. It hit her hard, and she felt like everyone was turning against her for something she didn’t do.
Lizzo admits that this moment was hard for her to face. “I thought, ‘Everybody hates me for something that isn’t true,'” she shared. But she also acknowledged that her position in the public eye made it impossible to avoid some negative attention. “Because of the position I’m in, everybody hates me. There’s nothing you can do about it.”
Finding Strength in Music
Despite feeling broken and overwhelmed, Lizzo eventually found strength. She turned to her music to deal with the pain. She says her personal struggles helped inspire her upcoming album, Love in Real Life. “I go through tough stuff, but I turn it into something meaningful,” she said. Lizzo describes using her pain as “alchemy,” a way to turn it into gold, creating music that spreads joy and hope. “That’s my mission,” she said. Lizzo breaks new ground, as her new album will reflect this journey, offering fans a glimpse into her emotional growth.
Lawsuit and Legal Updates
The lawsuit against Lizzo remains ongoing. In August 2023, three of her former backup dancers filed a lawsuit, accusing her of harassment, discrimination, and creating a toxic work environment. Lizzo attempted to get the lawsuit dismissed in February 2024, but the court denied her request. The case is still in progress, and Lizzo is facing the challenge head-on. Lizzo breaks her silence on how it has impacted her.
Respond to Allegations
Lizzo has spoken out about the lawsuit and the claims made against her. In a December 2023 appearance on the Baby, This Is Keke Palmer podcast, Lizzo admitted that she was deeply hurt by the accusations. “These were three ex-dancers. They didn’t even finish the tour with us,” she said. She explained that she gave them opportunities and respected them as dancers. So, when she heard the allegations, she was shocked.
“I don’t know what they’re trying to do, but the media can turn things into something they’re not,” Lizzo added. She made it clear that she believes she did nothing wrong. “Let’s be clear, I did nothing wrong,” she said firmly. Lizzo breaks down her thoughts and maintains her innocence.
