Asha Daniels On Hostile Work Environment Lawsuit Against Lizzo: ‘Black Women Deserve Equality’
22.09.2023 - 16:53
/ etcanada.com
Wardrobe stylist Asha Daniels is speaking out about her lawsuit against Lizzo. Daniels, a professional clothing designer, designed the wardrobe for the dancers who will be on Lizzo’s 2023 tour.
In court docs obtained by ET on Thursday, Daniels is alleging that the singer — whose real name is Melissa Jefferson — condones a sexualized, racially charged and illegal work environment. The suit alleges that Lizzo allowed her management team to express racist and fatphobic comments, mock Black women, deny workers medical care and forced Daniels to endure degrading sexual harassment.
Lizzo is not the only one being sued. Her production company, Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc. (BGBT), wardrobe manager Amanda Nomura, and tour manager Carlina Gugliotta, are also named defendants.
Daniels tells ET’s Rachel Smith that she was grateful for the opportunity to work with Lizzo when her mentor presented it to her. “I thought, you know, this is an amazing opportunity. I really love Lizzo’s message as a Black woman and as a performer, and this is a great opportunity to work with someone whose values are in line with mine,” she recalls.
The designer explains that she started by getting a commission to design and produce costumes for Lizzo’s dancers. As shared in the lawsuit, Daniels began work on the tour in mid-February 2023, when the “disappointing reality” sunk in as she was allegedly forced to work 20-hour days, often seven days a week, and frequently denied breaks.
“They needed two sets of costumes one-and-a-half weeks before the [first] show of their tour, which was insane, and I was able to make sure that happened with the team I was working with,” she shares. “Then they ordered another set of two costumes in a color wave, and from there,