Lizzo speaks onstage at the 2023 Black Music Action Coalition Gala at The Beverly Hilton on September 21, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images)
Lizzo ended her Thursday evening by taking home the Quincy Jones Humanitarian Award at the Black Music Action Coalition Gala.
News that Lizzo was the honoree broke earlier this month. Then, hours before the event, a fashion designer named Asha Daniels filed a new lawsuit against the singer. It was unclear if Lizzo planned to accept the award at the ceremony amid the breaking news.
However, her spokesperson Stefan Friedman slammed the new suit in a statement to TMZ on Thursday. Friedman accused the plaintiff’s attorney of “ambulance-chasing” and filing “a bogus, absurd publicity stunt lawsuit.”
However, per Variety and photos of the event, Lizzo was present and gave a speech while accepting the honor. But, she reportedly did not walk the carpet and chose to sit in the audience.
A video montage at the event reportedly showcased Lizzo’s philanthropic work, particularly for LGBTQ+ advocacy. When she took the stage for the award, a few of her ‘Big Grrl’ dancers from the “The Special Tour” joined her.
“Black Music Coalition, y’all really are about that action. Thank you so much for this, because I needed this right now,”Lizzo said, per Variety. “God’s timing is always on time! I didn’t write a speech because I don’t know what to say in times like these.”
According to the entertainment outlet, Lizzo also spoke about her “humanitarian and activist initiatives.” She also spoke about doing the “right thing” when nobody’s watching and continuing to be herself.
“And I’m going to continue to be who I am, no matter who’s watching. I’m going to continue to shine a light on th people who are helping people, because they deserve it. I’m going to continue to amplify the voices of marginalized people because I have a microphone and I know how to use it.”
As mentioned, fashion designer Daniels is suing Lizzo, but the allegations in the paperwork reportedly cite her wardrobe manager, Amanda Nomura, as the aggressor.
Daniels’ lawsuit comes after three former dancers sued her in August. They allege sexual harassment and weight-shaming. Her production company, Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc., and dance captain Shirlene Quigley are also defendants. Lizzo has denied those accusations.
Meanwhile, in Daniels’ lawsuit, she claims Amanda used “stereotypical impressions” of Balck women and described dancers as “fat” and “useless.” Daniels also alleges the manager forced dancers to change their outfits in front of a “mostly white, male stage crew” as they gawked.
NBC News reports that Daniels lost employment after complaining about Amanda’s alleged behavior. Her attorney, Ron Zambrano, also represents the former dancers suing Lizzo. He explained that the “About Damn Time” singer is being sued because she is “the boss, so the buck stops with her.”
But as mentioned, Lizzo’s spokesperson Friedman said the lawsuit aimed to dim the singer’s award honor. Friedman added that Daniels has never met the artist.
“As Lizzo receives a Humanitarian Award tonight from the Black Music Action Coalition for the incredible charitable work she has done to lift up all people, an ambulance-chasing lawyer tries to sully this honor by recruiting someone to file a bogus, absurd publicity-stunt lawsuit who, wait for it, never actually met or even spoke with Lizzo. We will pay this as much attention as it deserves. None.”
