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Federal Judge Tosses Remaining Claims in Lawsuit Against Lizzo's Touring Company
By Tertius News AI Desk3 distinct · 3 mastheads · 3 articlesVersion 1Coverage Published
A S. federal judge has dismissed the remaining claims in a lawsuit against singer Lizzo's production company, Big Grrrl Big Touring, brought by her former wardrobe stylist, Asha Daniels. The decision, issued by S. District Judge Fernando L. Aenlle-Rocha, concluded the alleged incidents, while 'inappropriate and unprofessional,' fell outside the protections of federal workplace law.
Background of the Case
Daniels initially filed the lawsuit in September 2023, alleging a hostile work environment during the European leg of Lizzo's tour. The complaint accused senior employees of fostering a culture of degradation, forced physical labor, denial of medical care, and sexual and racial harassment. Daniels also accused her former boss, Amanda Nomura, of racial discrimination, a claim the judge also dismissed.
Lizzo, who was previously removed as a defendant in the case, denied all allegations. At the time of the filing, her lawyers described Daniels as a 'disgruntled' employee with 'meritless and salacious' accusations.
The Court's Ruling
In his ruling, Judge Aenlle-Rocha said Daniels failed to demonstrate 'general hostility' toward women or disparate treatment between men and women. Quoting the Supreme Court, he wrote that the alleged conduct 'fall[s] within the scope of what the Supreme Court has held to be outside the protection of Title VII as part of the 'ordinary tribulations of the workplace.''
The judge also considered Daniels' claim of disability discrimination after she said a wardrobe manager rolled a heavy clothing rack over her foot, causing injury. While the judge acknowledged the pain she suffered, he ruled that the injuries 'do not qualify as disabilities under the ADA,' referring to the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Reaction from Daniels' Legal Team
Ron Zambrano, Daniels' lawyer, expressed disappointment in a statement, saying, 'We believe the decision improperly weighed evidence that should have been evaluated by a jury.' He also argued that the ruling 'appears to minimize evidence of a sexually charged work environment by assessing incidents too narrowly.'
Lizzo's Response
Lizzo addressed the dismissal on social media, saying, 'Today I am relieved to announce that I have won my case against me and my touring company Big Grrrl Touring.' She characterized the claims as 'ridiculous' and maintained her stance, saying, 'I told y'all I will not settle and we will continue to fight every vicious claim that has been made against me and my businesses.'
Related Cases and Ongoing Litigation
The dismissed lawsuit is separate from another case brought by three backup dancers in August 2023, which also alleged a hostile work environment. Lizzo has consistently denied all wrongdoing.
How each outlet told it
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Framing: The headline emphasizes that Lizzo's touring company was cleared of harassment and discrimination claims. — The tone is measured and factual, with a focus on the legal outcome and Lizzo's response.
Facts Included:
A lawsuit against Melissa 'Lizzo' Jefferson's production company has been dropped by a federal court judge in the US
Former wardrobe assistant Asha Daniels accused her former boss Amanda Nomura of racial discrimination, a claim the judge also ruled
The lawsuit involved claims of discrimination and harassment against Lizzo's production company Big Grrrl Big Touring (BGBT)
A US federal judge dismissed the lawsuit, ruling the alleged conduct failed to identify evidence of misconduct
Lizzo responded on social media, stating 'Today I am relieved to announce that I have won my case against me and my touring company Big Grrrl Touring'
Lizzo noted that the wardrobe assistant who worked on tour for less than 3 weeks and claimed she broke an acrylic nail among other claims
The original case was filed by former wardrobe assistant Asha Daniels in September 2023, alleging senior members fostered a hostile work environment with claims of degradation, forced physical labour, denial of medical care, sexual harassment, and racial harassment during the European leg of Lizzo's tour
Ms Daniels submitted four other claims alleging retaliatory actions after making complaints
At the end of 2024, the court dismissed an eighth cause of action against the company, which accused BGBT of violating US labour standards
The remaining seven claims were thrown out by US district court judge Fernando L. Aenlle-Rocha
Judge Aenlle-Rocha said the 'alleged incidents, while inappropriate and unprofessional, fall within the scope of what the Supreme Court has held to be outside the protection of Title VII as part of the ordinary tribulations of the'
Regarding an incident where Ms Daniels's foot was run over by a clothes-rack, Judge Aenlle-Rocha ruled her alleged injuries 'were insufficiently severe or long-term to qualify as'
Judge Aenlle-Rocha ruled on the racial discrimination claim against Amanda Nomura, stating 'There is no evidence identified or presented to suggest Nomura ever spoke a racial slur or referred to any specific Black person or Black people generally using racially offensive language'
Framing: The judge's action is characterized as a decisive shutdown of the stylist's lawsuit, emphasizing the court's role inthe case's dismissal. — Neutral with a slightly sympathetic portrayal of the stylist's claim, given the inclusion of the lawyer's critical statements a response to the ruling.
Facts Included:
A federal judge on Tuesday dismissed the remaining claims brought by wardrobe stylist Asha Daniels against Lizzo's touring company, Big Grrrl Big Touring
The judge previously dismissed Lizzo as a defendant in the case
Daniels' lawyer Ron Zambrano said in a statement, 'We are disappointed by the court's ruling. While we respect the court and the judicial process, we believe the decision improperly weighed evidence that should have been evaluated by a jury'
District Judge Fernando L. Aenlle-Rocha said Daniels failed to identify conduct by the company's employees that demonstrated 'general hostility' to women in the workplace or disparate treatment of men and women
The judge ruled, 'This alleged conduct and these alleged incidents, while inappropriate and unprofessional, fall within the scope of what the Supreme Court has held to be outside the protection of Title VII as part of the 'ordinary tribulations of the workplace''
Daniels first filed her lawsuit in Sept. 2023, alleging the atmosphere on Lizzo's tour subjected her to 'racist and fat phobic comments,' sexual harassment, and disability discrimination
She claimed a wardrobe manager once physically injured her by rolling a 'heavy clothing rack' over her foot and pushing her
The judge wrote, 'The court does not seek to minimize or disregard the pain plaintiff felt from these injuries. Nevertheless, these injuries do not qualify as disabilities under the ADA'
Zambrano said in his statement, 'In our view, the ruling appears to minimize evidence of a sexually charged work environment by assessing incidents too narrowly, rather than considering their cumulative impact'
Zambrano also said, 'We disagree that an employee twisting her ankle and limping while trying to work does not meet the legal standard of a disability under the ADA'
When the lawsuit was filed, Lizzo's lawyers described Daniels as a 'disgruntled' employee with 'meritless and salacious' claims
Framing: The federal judge's dismissal of the lawsuit is the headline event. — measured, with sympathetic space given to the plaintiff's lawyer's disappointment
Facts Included:
US district judge Fernando L Aenlle-Rocha dismissed the remaining claims in the lawsuit on Tuesday.
The lawsuit was brought by former wardrobe stylist Asha Daniels against Lizzo and her production company, Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc.
Daniels first filed her lawsuit in September 2023, alleging bullying, sexual and racial harassment in an 'unsafe, sexually charged workplace'.
Lizzo denied all allegations and called the lawsuit, as well as a separate suit filed by three backup dancers in August 2023, 'false' and 'outrageous'.
Her lawyers characterized Daniels as a 'disgruntled' employee with 'meritless and salacious' claims.
Judge Aenlle-Rocha said Daniels failed to identify conduct by company employees constituting 'general hostility' toward women or disparate treatment between men and women.
The judge quoted the Supreme Court in saying the alleged conduct fell within the scope of what has been held to be outside the protection of Title VII as part of the 'ordinary tribulations of the workplace'.
Daniels claimed disability discrimination, citing an injury from a wardrobe manager who allegedly rolled a heavy clothing rack over her foot and pushed her.
The judge decided the injuries did not meet the requirements set forth by the American Disabilities Act.
Daniels' lawyer Ron Zambrano expressed disappointment with the ruling and said, 'we believe the decision improperly weighed evidence that should have been evaluated by a jury'.
The lawsuit followed a separate suit by three former backup dancers who accused the Grammy winner of creating a hostile work environment through sexual, racial and religious harassment.
The lawsuit further claimed the singer berated a dancer for gaining weight, pressured another dancer to touch a nude performer at a club in Amsterdam and subjected several dancers to an 'excruciating' 12-hour audition.
A fat-shaming claim was dismissed by a judge in December 2025.
Lizzo said she is 'not settling' and will fight 'every single claim until the truth comes out' in a social media post celebrating that dismissal.
She told the Today show in June:'I could have settled, but I'm a woman who is not afraid of the truth coming out, so I'm continuing to fight.'
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Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimA US federal judge dismissed the remaining claims brought by Asha Daniels against Lizzo's production company, Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc.
ClaimAsha Daniels filed her lawsuit against Lizzo's production company in September 2023, alleging a hostile work environment including racial discrimination, sexual harassment, and other claims during the European leg of Lizzo's tour.
ClaimJudge Aenlle-Rocha ruled that Asha Daniels failed to identify conduct by the company's employees that demonstrated 'general hostility' to women in the workplace or disparate treatment of men and women.
ClaimJudge Aenlle-Rocha said the alleged incidents, while inappropriate and unprofessional, fall within the scope of what the Supreme Court has held to be outside the protection of Title VII as part of the 'ordinary tribulations of the workplace'.
ClaimLizzo responded to the court decision on social media, stating 'Today I am relieved to announce that I have won my case against me and my touring company Big Grrrl Touring'.
ClaimJudge Aenlle-Rocha ruled on the racial discrimination claim against Amanda Nomura, stating 'There is no evidence identified or presented to suggest Nomura ever spoke a racial slur or referred to any specific Black person or Black people generally using racially offensive language'.
ClaimDaniels' lawyer Ron Zambrano said in a statement, 'We are disappointed by the court's ruling. While we respect the court and the judicial process, we believe the decision improperly weighed evidence that should have been evaluated by a jury'.
ClaimZambrano also said in his statement, 'In our view, the ruling appears to minimize evidence of a sexually charged work environment by assessing incidents too narrowly, rather than considering their cumulative impact'.
ClaimZambrano also said, 'We disagree that an employee twisting her ankle and limping while trying to work does not meet the legal standard of a disability under the ADA'.
ClaimLizzo denied all allegations and called the lawsuit, as well as a separate suit filed by three backup dancers in August 2023, 'false' and'outrageous'.