Latest news with #AriannaDavis
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lizzo Claims Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Attacks Her Right To Free Speech
Lizzo is appealing the sexual harassment lawsuit filed against her by her former dancers, describing the complaint as an 'attack' on her 'First Amendment right to perform her music and advocate for body positivity.' The explosive suit, filed in August 2023, accused the 'Special' star of sexual harassment, discrimination, and creating a hostile work environment by Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez. While some accusations were dismissed, a judge granted the overall lawsuit to move toward a jury trial. Lizzo's legal team urged an appeals court to overturn the ruling and dismiss the entire case in a filing last month. 'It is dangerous for the court to weigh in, ham-fisted, into constitutionally protected activity,' Judge Mark H. Epstein wrote. 'But it is equally dangerous to turn a blind eye to allegations of discrimination or other forms of misconduct merely because they take place in a speech-related environment.' Her attorneys suggested that Lizzo's alleged behavior was part of her 'artistic approach.' The filing read, 'Plaintiffs' suit [is] an attack on Lizzo's First Amendment right to perform her music and advocate for body positivity. Rather than accept personal accountability, plaintiffs filed this shotgun action, taking aim at nearly every facet of Lizzo's creative process.' Her legal defense focuses around California's anti-SLAPP law — a special statute that makes it easier to quickly end lawsuits that threaten free speech, Billboard reports. In an effort to dismiss the case under this law, Lizzo's attorneys argued the dancers wanted to 'silence' Lizzo and 'weaponize' her creative expression against her. One questionable instance in the initial claim was that Lizzo strongly urged for her dancers to attend a cabaret show in Amsterdam's Red Light District and engage with the nude performers. Yet, her defense claimed that the ordeal was optional and directly tied to her 'creative process.' Lead attorney Marty Singer explained, 'There's no disagreement that Lizzo held these outings as a necessary part of her creative process. Early social gatherings during international tours (like the Bananenbar) are critical to team-building and fostering cohesion.' Lizzo's defense feels law shouldn't govern an artist's creative process. 'Judges must not dissect the creative process to determine what was necessary to achieve the final product and what was not,' said her legal team. 'By rejecting the artist's proven experience for what is necessary to, and best enhances, her own art, the trial court stepped far outside its role.' Lizzo has denied any wrongdoing, describing the allegation as 'false' and 'sensationalized.' The Grammy winner noted, '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.' If Lizzo's appeal is granted, the case will be dismissed. If the court sides with the plaintiffs, the case will continue toward a jury trial. More from Lizzo Makes Stadium Debut As Special Guest During SZA and Kendrick Lamar's Grand National Tour Lizzo Pushes Back On Being Labeled "Skinny" After Weight Loss Lizzo Blames Fame For Why She Doesn't Have "Many" Friends
BreakingNews.ie
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
Lizzo releases music video filmed after Met Gala
US pop star Lizzo has released a new music video filmed at the Met Gala. Lizzo, real name Melissa Viviane Jefferson, revealed the video for Still Bad (Animal Style) in a stream on Twitch before posting the full clip to her Instagram account. Advertisement 'DROPS TONIGHT,' she teased in an Instagram post showing the song's mp3 file on Thursday. 'MEET ME ON TWITCH! 5PM!' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lizzo (@lizzobeeating) The song is a re-released alternate version of her single Still Bad, which originally debuted in March. The upbeat pop number shows clips of the Good As Hell singer arriving at the Vogue-run gala in a black and white two-toned gown before cutting to footage of her running through the streets of New York City, partying in an arcade and lip syncing in a limousine. 'I like the demo version more and I had people in my head telling me that it wasn't good enough,' she wrote on BlueSky of the decision to re-release the song. Advertisement 'But I'm learning it's not about what's good enough, it's about what I WANT.' Her upcoming album, Love In Real Life, is due to be released this summer. The album will mark her first since the musician and her production company were sued by ex-dancers Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez, who made a number of claims, including allegations of sexual, religious and racial harassment. At the time, the singer, 37, said the claims were 'as unbelievable as they sound' and insisted she would 'not let the good work I've done in the world be overshadowed by this'. Advertisement Her first single since the scandal, Love in Real Life, was released in February. Fans speculated over her return to music after the Grammy Award-winner posted a video of her spray painting the words 'bye bitch' on to a large printout of her album cover Special on Valentine's Day. Lizzo attending the 2025 Met Gala (Matt Crossick/PA) Earlier in the month, it was reported she had told a Twitch stream about her plans, saying: 'I've been working on new music for the last two years.' In 2023 she released the song Pink, which featured on the Barbie movie soundtrack, and a remix of the song Special. Advertisement A month after the allegations in August 2023, similar claims were made against Lizzo by stylist Asha Daniels, who said she was subject to racial and sexual harassment and a hostile work environment while on tour with Lizzo. A US judge dismissed the specific allegations against Lizzo.
CBS News
16-03-2025
- General
- CBS News
It may be spring, but it's still spooky season for some in North St. Paul
While it may technically be March, North St. Paul, Minnesota's spooky season is just beginning. It all started with just three skeletons setup by Arianna Davis that quickly snowballed into something much bigger. "I just like skeletons, it's a way to express myself," Davis smiled. A few weeks ago, she received an anonymous letter, calling the display disturbing, out of season and demanding her to take it down or they would. Instead, she took to Facebook voicing her concerns about this note. The post quickly garnered hundreds of like and comments with the people from the neighborhood expressing their support for Davis. Before she knew it, neighbors jumped in and started putting up their own skeletons. From three 12 feet skeletons to a skeleton on playground, and even one hanging out in a hammock with chickens around. "It's fun seeing the community come together over something so negative," Davis said. The Skelton saga, turned into a fundraiser for a local food shelf and local business jumped in creating Christmas skeleton ornaments and tumblers. In just a few days, more than $1,200 was raised for the bookshelf which will help provide meals for families in need. What started with a few skeletons and a neighbor's complaint turned into a heartwarming example of community spirit and creativity.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Yahoo
Ratchet Funeral Director Learns His Fate after Fatal Gunshot at Burial Service
A family was preparing to lower the casket of their 10-year-old into the ground when the solemn ceremony was interrupted by shots fired. What was shocking was not only the incident itself but the revelation of who the shooter was: the funeral director. The Prince George's County State's Attorney's Office says the incident happened in June 2023 at the Washington National Cemetery in Suitland, Md. Officials said 50-year-old Wilson Wesley Chavis was conducting the funeral services for a child. The burial was held for 10-year-old Arianna Davis who was shot while in a vehicle with her family on Mother's Day. She died days later. During her burial, police say Chavis got into an argument with some attendees who were there to give condolences but worked for another funeral home, via WTOP. While it's unclear exactly where the disagreement came from, Prince George's County police discovered Chavis had long-standing beef with these competing funeral home employees. Then, things escalated for the worst. Police say Chavis shoved the pastor presiding over the service saying, 'This ain't your f—-ng funeral home,' WTOP reports. Attendees then began intervening to break up the fight. According to WUSA9's report, Chavis pulled out a gun and began firing at random. Of the few shots, one grazed a woman but another fatally struck 30-year-old Ronald Banks, the pallbearer to Arianna's casket. According to CBS News, Banks died at the hospital while the woman survived her injuries. Chavis fled the scene but police caught him at a traffic stop, the report says. Meanwhile, the burial attendees were left shocked having witnessed the same act of violence that claimed the life of their loved one. 'The saddest part about that day was that the mother of Arianna Davis said she never got to see her daughter be buried and lowered into the ground,' said Assistant State's Attorney William Porter via WUSA9. 'Someone had to tell her where her daughter was buried later.' Chavis was found guilty last week of second-degree murder. He faces up to 65 years in prison. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Yahoo
A 10-Year-Old Girl Was Killed. Then The Funeral Director Opened Fire At Her Burial
A Maryland funeral director was found guilty of second-degree murder for fatally shooting a pallbearer at a burial service for a 10-year-old girl, who herself had been shot to death. Wilson Chavis, 50, was also convicted of use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence and reckless endangerment, Prince George's County State's Attorney's Office announced on Friday, Feb. 14. 'When acts of violence occur at places that should be sacred like funeral homes and cemeteries, it's horrific,' said State's Attorney Aisha Braveboy. 'With this guilty verdict, Mr. Chavis will be held accountable for his reckless, callous actions.' Chavis went to the Washington National Cemetery in Suitland on June 6, 2023, where the funeral home he owned, Compassion and Serenity, was hosting a service for 10-year-old Arianna Davis, who was fatally shot on Mother's Day in 2023. Authorities said Chavis allegedly got into a confrontation with two people from another funeral home that Chavis had a long-standing business dispute with. Funeral attendees confronted Chavis about his behavior and at one point he pulled out a gun and fired. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Thirty-year-old Ronald Banks, who was a pallbearer, was fatally shot. A second victim suffered a graze wound. Chavis left the area and was later picked up during a traffic stop, CBS News Baltimore reported. 'The saddest part about that day was that the mother of Arianna Davis said she never got to see her daughter be buried and lowered into the ground,' said Assistant State's Attorney William Porter, per WUSA9. 'Someone had to tell her where her daughter was buried later.' According to the Metropolitan Police Department, Arianna was a passenger in a car with her family when she was hit by a stray bullet in Washington, D.C. Sentencing is scheduled for July 11. Read the original article on People
