Lizzo Documentary Director Elaborates: Why She Dropped Out of Film
Filmmaker Sophia Nahli Allison elaborates on why she dropped out as director of the 2019 Lizzo documentary after her initial August 1 social media post.
Trigger Warning
On August 1, Allison shared a message on her Instagram story. She detailed her two-week experience working with Lizzo on her documentary before ultimately walking away. Allison revealed that while traveling with the singer, she was “treated with such disrespect.”
When speaking of Lizzo, the filmmaker stated: “I witnessed how arrogant, self-centered, and unkind she is.” Allison was hurt by this experience, claiming “I was not protected and was thrown into a shitty situation with little support … I felt gaslit and was deeply hurt, but I’ve healed.”
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
Allison took to social media again on August 2 to elaborate on her story. Following her post, she received support and affirmations from people who witnessed her experience with Lizzo.
“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,” Allison stated.
She continued, “She is a narcissistic bully and has 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.”
to be clear… pic.twitter.com/JU2ZuDoZ9b
— Sophia Nahli Allison (@SophiaNAllison) August 2, 2023
Allison shared her initial post the same day three former dancers filed lawsuits against Lizzo, Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc (BGBT), and the captain of Lizzo’s dance team, Shirlene Quigley, on several charges. These lawsuits include alleged sexual harassment, religious harassment, racial harassment, disability discrimination, assault, and false imprisonment. You can read more about the allegations against Lizzo, BGBT, and Quigley here.
Lizzo responded to the lawsuit backlash and allegations with a statement on August 3, maintaining that she is “not the villain” she is being made out to be. “I am very open with my sexuality and expressing myself but I cannot accept or allow people to use that openness to make me out to be something I am not,” she stated.
— FOLLOW @YITTY (@lizzo) August 3, 2023
We support all the cast members, dancers, and employees affected and wish them safety, peace, and healing. We also commend the courage of everyone coming forward and using their voices to share these experiences.
