Old School. Biblically Independent.
By Emily Richardson | Celebrity | February 5, 2024
At last night's Grammys, Lizzo took the stage to present the award for Best R&B Song. The 35-year-old singer/rapper announced her presence with a "Wassup everybodyyyyy?", followed by a gleeful jingle of her many silver bracelets. The audience cheered. After reflecting on some past winners and reading out the nominees,Lizzo presented the Grammy to... SZA, for "SNOOZE." When SZA got up onstage, she gave Lizzo a big hug. Makes sense, they're longtime buds.
A year ago, Lizzo presenting at the Grammys would have been a non-story. She's the recipient of four Grammy awards, including 2023's Record of the Year for "About Damn Time".
But then, last August, Lizzo's reputation as a body-positive cheerleader blew up in a big way; several former dancers sued her for sexual harassment, creating a hostile work environment, religious and racial harassment, false imprisonment, and more. The dancers also accused Lizzo of not paying them, making racist remarks, and fat-shaming. Woof.
In the wake of the lawsuit, more ex-employees came forward to lend their support to the dancers. A former creative director claimed their tales of toxicity were "very much my experience" when she worked for Lizzo. Filmmaker Sophia Nahli Allison, who spent time directing a documentary for the star, called her "arrogant, self-centered, and unkind."
Two days after the lawsuit became public, Lizzo released a victim-blaming statement denying the "false allegations" and "sensationalized stories." There was zero apology. A few days after that, Jay-Z's Made in America festival was cancelled three weeks before its scheduled start date. Lizzo and SZA had been set to headline. The cancellation was never officially linked to the Lizzo controversy; organizers for the event blamed "severe circumstances outside of production control".
Another former employee slapped Lizzo with another suit in September; Asha Daniels, who worked in the wardrobe department for Lizzo's 2023 tour, claimed her manager was verbally and physically abusive. Asha maintains Lizzo's production company, Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc, were aware of this behavior and did nothing to stop it.
It's been over six months since the harassment allegations first broke, and Lizzo's marching forward, business as usual. She picked up a humanitarian award the day after the wardrobe lawsuit made headlines, continues to post to social media like usual (with limited comments, of course), and appeared at the premiere of Beyoncé's concert film, Renaissance.
Then, last night's Grammys. After she presented the award to SZA, Lizzo posed for pictures with Taylor Swift, Gayle King, Lainey Wilson, and Meryl Streep. Everyone was acting like Lizzo is a totally non-problematic celeb. Was it all the goodwill Lizzo banked before the lawsuit? The fact that the Grammys clearly don't care about "cancel culture"? Or do celebrities have the memory of goldfish?
Whatever the reason, some people online were baffled by Lizzo's presence at the awards show, via Page Six:
"Lizzo still able to present awards when she was out here wildin is crazy," one person tweeted. "I thought I'd see Tupac before I'd ever see Lizzo again #GRAMMYs," a second joked, referencing the late rapper."So.....whatever happened to the Lizzo allegations???? They just went away or???? And now she's at the Grammys like nothing happened?" a third person asked.
"Why is Lizzo here, didn't she have like horrible allegations against her," another wondered. "Lizzo back on the scene after that scandal?" one more questioned.
One fan even called out the Recording Academy, writing, "Shoutout to the Grammys for allowing Lizzo to present an award mid sexual assault charges! Great work guys! #NoAccountabilitySociety."
Other Twitterers saw zero issues with Lizzo's appearance:
"The embrace between SZA and Lizzo is the epitome of how Black women will always love on each other and encourage each other and have your back when no one else will," a supporter wrote on X."Seeing SZA & Lizzo embrace was beautiful. SZA has gone through so much in the industry. Snooze was an amazing song on an amazing album. That was a loaded category. I love how authentic she is. I love seeing Black women winning and loving on each other," another fan echoed."
Last Friday, a judge denied Lizzo's request to throw out the harassment lawsuit. Lizzo was arguing that the case should be dismissed under California's anti-SLAPP statute. Basically, it's a special law that gets rid of meritless lawsuits that threaten free speech. Lizzo's lawyers claim her accusers are using the suit to "silence" her. Clearly, the courts didn't buy it, and all signs point to the lawsuit eventually going to trial.
Here's Lizzo's Grammys post (obviously she limited the comments)
Oh, and she added this selfie with Meryl to her Stories:
