Judge dismisses remaining claims in Lizzo

A US district judge has dismissed the remaining claims in a lawsuit against pop star Lizzo's production company. The ruling, filed by Judge Fernando L Aenlle-Rocha on Tuesday, ends the case brought by former wardrobe assistant Asha Daniels.

Daniels had alleged she faced degradation, forced physical labor, denial of medical care, sexual harassment, and racial harassment while briefly working for Big Grrrl Big Touring in 2023. The judge found the claims did not meet the legal standards required to proceed.

The Court's Ruling

In his ruling, Judge Aenlle-Rocha stated that Asha Daniels did not identify any conduct by company employees that demonstrated a general hostility to women in the workplace or disparate treatment of men and women. He wrote that the alleged incidents, while described as inappropriate and unprofessional, fell within what the Supreme Court has defined as the ordinary tribulations of the workplace.

The judge also addressed a specific incident where Daniels claimed her foot was run over by a heavy clothes rack. The court acknowledged her pain but concluded the injuries do not qualify as disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Reaction from Lizzo

Following the ruling, Lizzo, whose real name is Melissa Viviane Jefferson, posted a statement on Instagram. She said she was grateful and relieved. The singer thanked her lawyers and reiterated her commitment to fighting the claims.

"The truth matters to me more than anything and told y'all I will not settle and will continue to fight every vicious claim that has been made against me and my businesses," she wrote, according to the BBC. She added that she would continue using her platform to spread positivity.

Legal Response and Background

Daniels' lawyer, Ron Zambrano, expressed disappointment with the decision. In a statement, he said they believe the court improperly weighed evidence that should have been evaluated by a jury. He specifically disagreed with the finding that twisting an ankle and limping at work does not meet the ADA's legal standard for a disability.

"These are important issues because these claims often depend on how a jury evaluates the full workplace environment, the surrounding context, and disputed facts," Zambrano said. He noted they are considering appropriate next steps.

This lawsuit was filed in September 2023. It followed a separate suit from three of Lizzo's former tour dancers, which included allegations of sexual harassment that are denied by Lizzo's team. Earlier in 2025, a judge dismissed fat-shaming allegations from that dancers' lawsuit.

In 2024, Judge Aenlle-Rocha had previously ruled that Daniels could not sue Lizzo as an individual, leaving Big Grrrl Big Touring Inc as the sole defendant. This week's ruling dismisses all remaining claims against the company.