Attorney for Plaintiffs Suing Lizzo Says Her Humanitarian Award Speech Was a ‘Slap in the Face’

One day after Lizzo accepted the Quincy Jones Humanitarian Award at the Black Music Action Coalition Gala, a lawyer for the plaintiffs who are suing the singer for racial and sexual harassment has described her speech as "a slap in the face."

On Friday, Los Angeles attorney Ron Zambrano — a partner and Employment Litigation Chair at West Coast Employment Lawyers, who is representing the plaintiffs — shared his thoughts on Lizzo's words in a statement provided to The Messenger.

"Her entire speech was all about her," the statement reads. "That's not a humanitarian. The only time she talked about others was to take credit for her own donations. It confirms it was a sham award designed as a PR stunt aimed to repair the damage to Lizzo’s false brand and persona of being accepting of everyone. Numerous former employees have personally told me a completely different story."

Lizzo, who took the stage to accept the award surrounded by her dancers, the Big Grrrls and Big Boiis, said, "Black Music Action Coalition, y'all really are about that action. Thank you so much for this, because I needed this right now. God's timing is always on time!" She then, shared that she donated a quarter of a million dollars to Black-led organizations back in June.

Zambrano said her speech omitted "compassion for the plaintiffs and so many former employees who suffered under her reign."

"Words and actions matter, and if she is as selfless as she claims to be, where is the empathy for those hurt under her stewardship?" he asked in the statement. "Instead, her spokespeople attack the victims who are courageous enough to speak out. She says she plans to continue being who she is no matter what, echoing her statement after the first lawsuit, tacitly promising to continue treating her workers with no regard for the law."

"Her fans and the public deserve more," he concluded. "She needs to be held accountable. Where is the self-introspection? Where is the drive to be better? This speech was a slap in the face to everyone who looks up to her, and specifically to these plaintiffs who suffered so much. These are real people with real feelings, but Lizzo cares more about her image than collateral damage to her employees. As to the support she received on stage, every one of them is either currently financially tied to her or never worked with her full-time on tour. What is more important to note is who didn’t show up -- people who weren’t paid to be there." 

The award comes hours after the "Truth Hurts" singer was hit with a second lawsuit. Several of her former employees, including three dancers, are suing Lizzo and her team with allegations of racial and sexual harassment, weight shaming, assault and more.

The pop star has denied the allegations and announced plans to countersue.