Asha Daniels, the Fashion designer who recently filed a lawsuit against singer Lizzo, is speaking out to share why she’s confidently standing by claims.
As we previously reported, Daniels, who formerly worked for Lizzo not only sued the entertainer but also members of her team last week, alleged racial and sexual harassment as well as creating a hostile work environment and more.
Speaking exclusively with ABC News, Daniels said she got the courage to speak up and tell her own story after hearing the news about her three former backup dancers who filed a lawsuit
last month over similar accusations. Daniels said, “I was really proud of them,” Daniels told the news outlet. “I want a world where Black women can come and perform at the height of their career for their talent and not suffer these abuses and not be silenced and not.”
As we previously reported, the 35-year-old accused wardrobe manager Amanda Nomura of making stereotypical impressions of Black women as well as referring to performers as “fat,” “useless” and “dumb.” To make matters worse, she claimed Nomura forced them to change in front of a mostly white, male stage crew who would “lewdly gawk” at them, per the suit.
Per the suit she also claimed she was injured on the job when Miss Noumea shoved her into a clothing rack and alleges she wouldn’t let her seek medical attention. Sharing more details about the alleged incident, Daniels said,
“She rolls over my foot with this really heavy rack. And so I kind of like, wince and I’m like, ‘Wait a minute, my foot is really hurting. Like, I need to stop. I need to sit down.’ And so she pushes me into the rack and she says, ‘Don’t make excuses, like take this rack,’” Daniels told the news outlet.
After being her concerns to a manager, Daniels said she was fired “without notice or reason,” according to the lawsuit. As a result of this, she is requesting a jury trial, seeking damages such as unpaid wages. On top of that, for loss of earnings and deferred compensation too.
During the interview Daniels admits that she never met Lizzo but feels that she needs to be held accountable for ignoring the allege issues in her workplace.
What Has Lizzo Said About These New Allegations?
While Lizzo herself hasn’t addressed this latest lawsuit head on, she seemingly defended herself against the new claims while accepting her Quincy Jones Humanitarian Award at the Black Music Action Coalition Gala. She said in an emotional speech,
“It’s easy to do the right thing when everybody’s watching you, and it’s what you do in those moments when nobody’s watching that defines who you are,” she said. “And I’m going to continue to be who I am, no matter who’s watching. I’m going to continue to shine a light on the people who are helping people, because they deserve it. I’m going to continue to amplify the voices of marginalized people because I have a microphone and I know how to use it.” Lizzo went on to say, “And, I’m going to continue to put on and represent safe spaces for fat Black women, because that’s what the fuck I do!”
Meanwhile, her Lizzo’s spokesperson did release a statement as the news broke saying they “will pay this as much attention as it deserves. None.”
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The post Ex-Lizzo Staffer, Asha Daniels, Speaks Out After Filing Lawsuit Against Singer Alleging Hostile Work Environment appeared first on Hollywood Unlocked .