Singer Lizzo is currently embroiled in controversy and now a new allegation accusing her of attempting to hit one of her former dancers. Noelle Rodriguez, revealed in an interview with Chris Cuomo for NewsNation on Wednesday that she was physically threatened by Lizzo the day before a show in Montreal, Canada, which was eventually canceled. The incident occurred during an “impromptu fitting” that turned out to be an “ambush meeting” where Rodriguez and other dancers were fired.
During the meeting, Rodriguez voiced her complaints about the alleged mistreatment of herself and other dancers. According to her account, Lizzo became upset when she expressed feeling disrespected. Lizzo reportedly balled up her fist and approached Rodriguez, saying, “You’re so effing lucky right now, you’re so effing lucky.” Another dancer intervened and restrained Lizzo as she continued to hurl insults, including a parting “bye B-word,” while being taken out of the room.
For Rodriguez, this incident was the last straw, leading her to resign. She expressed disappointment in Lizzo, who had projected an image of standing up for self-love and body positivity, but appeared to be the opposite behind closed doors.
In response to the allegations, Lizzo took to her Instagram handle to defend herself. She called the accusations “outrageous” and expressed her dismay at the situation. Lizzo stated that it was never her intention to make anyone feel uncomfortable or undervalued. She asserted that her work ethic, morals, and respectfulness have been unfairly questioned. The singer, known for promoting body positivity, emphasized that she would never criticize or terminate an employee based on their weight, as she herself knows what it feels like to be body shamed.
The situation remains complex, with both sides presenting their perspectives. As the controversy unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges that can arise behind the scenes in the entertainment industry.