Filmmaker claims quitting Lizzo documentary due to singer's 'arrogant, self-centered, unkind' behavior
A filmmaker who was supposed to direct the documentary about Lizzo said she quit the project, claiming the American singer was disrespectful toward her.
Sophia Nahli Allison on Aug. 2 took to X (formerly Twitter) to speak out after news that Lizzo has been sued by her three former dancers amid alleged sexual, religious, and racial harassment, disability discrimination, assault, and false imprisonment, among other things.
“I usually do not comment on anything pop culture related,” Allison wrote over a photo of herself. “But, In 2019, I traveled a bit with Lizzo to be the director of her documentary," pertaining to Love, Lizzo.
"I walked away after about 2 weeks. I was treated with such disrespect by her.”
Allison, an Oscar nominee, said she witnessed how "arrogant, self-centered, and unkind" Lizzo is.
Sharing this because validating other Black women's experiences is deeply important to me. pic.twitter.com/gd2xEK6szq
— Sophia Nahli Allison (@SophiaNAllison) August 1, 2023
"I was not protected and was thrown into a sh*tty situation with little support," she said, adding her spirit told herself to "run as fast as you f*cking can."
"I'm so grateful I trusted my gut," she said.
Allison also noted how she felt gaslit and was "deeply hurt," though already healed.
The reports about Lizzo's former dancers, she said, made her realize how dangerous of a situation it was, even as she gave "much love and support" to them.
“This kind of abuse of power happens far too often," she said.
In another text image tweet on Aug. 3, Allison said she has had others "privately share their very similar experiences," and was affirmed by people who witnessed what she went through.
to be clear… pic.twitter.com/JU2ZuDoZ9b
— Sophia Nahli Allison (@SophiaNAllison) August 2, 2023
"Lizzo creates an extremely toxic and hostile working environment and undermines the work, labor, and authority of other black and brown womxn in the process," she said, noting how the documentary "ended up being directed by a cis white man."
Allison called Lizzo a "narcissistic bully," claiming she "built her brand off of lies."
"I was excited to support and protect a Black woman through the documentary process but quickly learned her image and 'message' was a curated facade," Allison said of Lizzo.
Lizzo was sued on Tuesday by her former dancers Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez, who accused her of weight-shaming and sexually demeaning behavior. The dancers allege that during a concert trip to Amsterdam, the singer invited them out for a night out, which ended in the city's Red Light District. According to the lawsuit, Lizzo allegedly "pressured" them to "take turns touching the nude performers."
Lizzo is known for exploring themes of body positivity and self-love in her songs. Her hits include Truth Hurts, Good as Hell, and Juice.
Lizzo's camp has yet to address Allison's accusations and the lawsuit.