Lizzo scores major court win as former wardrobe assistant’s lawsuit is dismissed

Judge found alleged workplace conduct failed to meet legal standards under federal discrimination laws

Lizzo is celebrating a major legal victory after a federal judge dismissed the remaining claims in a lawsuit brought by former wardrobe assistant Asha Daniels against the singer’s touring company, Big Grrrl Big Touring.

The ruling was issued on Tuesday, September 1, by US District Judge Fernando L Aenlle Rocha. The decision brings an end to the remaining claims in Daniels’ long running case, which began in 2023 and alleged sexual harassment, racial discrimination, disability discrimination and a hostile work environment during Lizzo’s European tour.

According to court documents reported by PEOPLE, the judge concluded that Daniels had not presented sufficient evidence to establish the alleged violations under federal employment discrimination law. The court also rejected allegations involving racial slurs, finding that the evidence presented did not establish that wardrobe manager Amanda Nomura had used racially offensive language.

The judge also addressed Daniels’ claims concerning treatment in the workplace and concluded that the conduct described in the lawsuit did not establish general hostility towards women or discriminatory treatment between men and women under Title VII.

In his ruling, Aenlle Rocha wrote that the alleged conduct and incidents, while inappropriate and unprofessional, fell outside the conduct protected by Title VII under the applicable legal standards. The court therefore granted summary judgment in favour of Big Grrrl Big Touring.

Daniels had originally filed her lawsuit in September 2023 after working on the European leg of Lizzo’s SPECIAL TOUR. She alleged that she encountered a hostile working environment and claimed she experienced racial and sexual harassment, bullying, disability related discrimination and other inappropriate workplace conduct.

Lizzo was initially named as an individual defendant in the case, but she was removed from the lawsuit in December 2024. The court had previously ruled on claims involving Lizzo personally, leaving the touring company as a central remaining defendant.

Lizzo responded to the latest ruling on Instagram, describing herself as relieved and declaring that the claims against her and her company had been dismissed. She also said that she had refused to settle and intended to continue defending herself against allegations she considered false.

Her attorney, Melissa Y Glass, described the ruling as a "total victory" for Lizzo, her touring company and the other defendants. The lawyer said the defence was considering further steps to protect its clients’ rights following the decision.

Daniels’ attorney Ron Zambrano offered a sharply different reaction. He said the legal team was disappointed by the ruling and argued that the court had improperly weighed evidence that should have been considered by a jury.

Zambrano maintained that the alleged workplace incidents should have been assessed in their broader context rather than separately. He also disagreed with the court’s treatment of Daniels’ disability related allegations and said the legal team was considering its next steps.

The case has attracted significant attention because it emerged during a wider period of legal scrutiny surrounding Lizzo’s workplace environment. In 2023, three former backup dancers, Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez, also filed a separate lawsuit alleging sexual harassment and other misconduct. Lizzo has denied the allegations in that case.

The latest ruling does not resolve those separate legal proceedings. Instead, it specifically ends the remaining claims in Daniels’ lawsuit against Big Grrrl Big Touring.