Lizzo's Touring Company: Judge Dismisses Stylist Lawsuit

A federal judge has dismissed the remaining claims in a lawsuit brought by a former wardrobe stylist against Lizzo's touring company, Big Grrrl Big Touring Inc. The decision on Tuesday marks a significant development in the legal battle that began in September 2023.

Lizzo herself had previously been dismissed as a defendant in the case.

U.S. District Judge Fernando L. Aenlle-Rocha ruled that stylist Asha Daniels failed to provide sufficient evidence demonstrating “general hostility” towards women in the workplace or disparate treatment between men and women by the company's employees.

The judge stated that while the alleged incidents might have been “inappropriate and unprofessional,” they fall within the scope of “ordinary tribulations of the workplace” and do not meet the legal threshold for a hostile work environment claim under Title VII. Daniels' lawyer, Ron Zambrano, expressed disappointment with the ruling. “We are disappointed by the court's ruling.

While we respect the court and the judicial process, we believe the decision improperly weighed evidence that should have been evaluated by a jury,” Zambrano said in a statement. He suggested that the ruling appeared to minimize evidence of a “sexually charged” environment, a detail that was cut off in the provided source material but implies further contention from Daniels' side.

The lawsuit, initially filed last year, accused the atmosphere on Lizzo's 2023 European tour of subjecting Daniels to “racist and fat-phobic comments,” sexual harassment, and disability discrimination. Daniels also claimed that a wardrobe manager physically injured her by rolling a “heavy clothing rack” over her foot and pushing her.

Regarding the disability claims, Judge Aenlle-Rocha acknowledged Daniels' pain but clarified that the injuries did not qualify as disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The court does not seek to minimize or disregard the pain plaintiff felt from these injuries,

the judge wrote. “Nevertheless, these injuries do not qualify as disabilities under the ADA.” The dismissal means that the claims against Big Grrrl Big Touring Inc. cannot proceed, at least in this federal court.

The legal team for Lizzo and her company had not immediately commented on the ruling, but the decision offers a reprieve for the Grammy-winning singer's business operations amidst ongoing legal scrutiny.

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