A judge rejected Lizzo’s request to toss out a lawsuit filed by three tour dancers last year.
LA Superior Court Judge Mark Epstein rejected part of Lizzo’s anti-SLAPP defense in a ruling made public on Friday.
The ruling means the lawsuit will go forward against Lizzo unless she settles out of court.
Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez sued Lizzo and fellow defendants Big Grrrl Big Touring Inc and dance team director Shirlene Quigley.
The plaintiffs claimed Lizzo forced them to participate in s*x shows at venues on tour, placed them in “false imprisonment” and subjected them to religious tirades.
The dancers, who are Black, also claimed racial discrimination from Lizzo’s all-white management team.
“It is dangerous for the court to weigh in, ham-fisted, into constitutionally protected activity,” Judge Epstein wrote in his ruling.
“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.”
Epstein denied some of the dancers complaints, saying they were protected under the First Amendment.
For example, a nude photoshoot for the tour is protected under free speech, according to Judge Epstein.
The trio’s complaints of “excruciating” auditions for their jobs also falls under the protection of the First Amendment.
“The fact that the alleged incidents take place in the entertainment or speech world is no shield of invulnerability or license to ignore law enacted for the protection of California’s citizens,” Epstein wrote.
Lizzo will face her accusers in a trial that is expected to begin next year.
