The 'About Damn Time' singer, who was also accused of creating a toxic workplace environment, took the stage to present the Best RnB song award at the February 4 ceremony.
- Feb 6, 2024
AceShowbiz - Lizzo shocked fans when she made an appearance at the 66th Grammy Awards amid the ongoing sexual harassment lawsuits against her. The "About Damn Time" singer took the stage to present the Best R&B song award at the Sunday, February 4 ceremony in Los Angeles.
"What's up, everybody?" the 35-year-old greeted the audience at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. "Here's the Grammy Award that's gone to the all-time greats, from Stevie Wonder to Prince to Alicia Keys to [Beyonce Knowles]. These are our soulfully gifted nominees for best R&B song."
The prize eventually went to SZA, thanks to her hit "Snooze". While SZA gave the embattled musician a hug when she received the award and even recalled their past in her speech, fans at home couldn't help but question Lizzo's appearance at the big event amid her legal drama.
"Lizzo still able to present awards when she was out here wildin is crazy," one person wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. "I thought I'd see [Tupac Shakur] before I'd ever see Lizzo again #GRAMMYs," someone else added.
One other asked, "So…..whatever happened to the Lizzo allegations???? They just went away or???? And now she's at the Grammys like nothing happened?" Echoing the question, another user wrote, "Why is Lizzo here, didn't she have like horrible allegations against her."
One person, meanwhile, called out the Recording Academy. "Shoutout to the Grammys for allowing Lizzo to present an award mid sexual assault charges! Great work guys! #NoAccountabilitySociety," the person sarcastically said.
Last year, Lizzo's former backup dancers Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez filed a lawsuit against the "Truth Hurts" hitmaker, her production company Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc. and dance team captain Shirlene Quigley. In the lawsuit, they were accused of sexual harassment and toxic workplace environment.
Lizzo and her legal team attempted to get the suit dismissed, but a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge ruled on February 2 that the case would go forward. Davis, Williams and Rodriguez's attorney Ron Zambrano told PEOPLE in a statement, "We're very pleased with the judge's ruling, and we absolutely consider it a victory on balance."
He explained that judge Mark H. Epstein "did dismiss a few allegations," including Davis being fat-shamed, a naked photo shoot, and dancers being forced to be on "hold" while not on tour. "However, all the other claims remain, including sexual, religious and racial discrimination, sexual harassment, the demeaning visits to the Bananenbar in Amsterdam and Crazy Horse in Paris, false imprisonment, and assault," he continued.
He added, "The ruling also rightfully signals that Lizzo - or any celebrity - is not insulated from this sort of reprehensible conduct merely because she is famous. We now look forward to conducting discovery and preparing the case for trial."
