Many viewers were surprised to see Lizzo presenting a 2024 Grammy Award amid her ongoing discrimination and harassment lawsuits.
“What is it, everyone?” exclaimed Lizzo, 35, as she walked onto the stage and danced to her single “About Damn Time.” “Here is the Grammy Award that went to the all-time greats Stevie Wonder Unpleasant Prince Unpleasant Alicia Keys Unpleasant Beyoncethese are our gifted nominees for Best R&B Song.”
Lizzo, wearing a strapless leather dress, eventually presented the trophy to an emotional one SZA.
While Lizzo was ecstatic to present her friend SZA, 34, with the award, those tuning in at home were completely taken aback by her presence.
“Lizzo back on the scene after that scandal?” wrote one social media user via X. Another added, “After what Lizzo did she got invited to the #Grammys?”
A third said: “If #LIZZO was a MAN she wouldn't be presenting an award at the Grammys! With all the accusations she's facing and getting ready to go to [trial].”
Others, meanwhile, criticized the Recording Academy for allowing Lizzo to take the stage.
“Shoutout to the Grammys for allowing Lizzo to receive an award for sexual assault charges,” one X user joked. “Good work guys! #NoAccountabilitySociety.”
However, another viewer commented, “It's amazing that Lizzo was able to present those #GRAMMYs to SZA considering that's been her friend for years.”
We weekly confirmed in August 2023 that three of Lizzo's former backup dancers named her in a lawsuit, alleging she fostered a hostile work environment and promoted religious harassment, disability discrimination, and sexual harassment.
Lizzo denied the allegations later that month.
“The past few days have been heartbreakingly difficult and overwhelmingly disappointing. My work ethic, morals and respect have been questioned. My character has been criticized,” she wrote in a lengthy Instagram statement, calling the accusations “false,” “unbelievable” and “too outrageous not to address.”
The singer continued: “These sensational stories come from former employees who have already publicly admitted that their behavior during the tour was inappropriate and unprofessional. As an artist I have always been very passionate about what I do. I take my music and my performances seriously because ultimately I only want to release the best art that represents me and my fans.
A month later, Lizzo's former wardrobe stylist Asha Daniels has filed its own harassment lawsuit with similar claims. (Lizzo did not address the allegations at the time.)
“We are going to go through the process because Lizzo has not accepted any responsibility. She has denied all these allegations. Neama Rahmanian attorney whose firm West Coast Trial Lawyers represents all plaintiffs, told exclusively Us in September 2023. “Her lawyers have come out and attacked our clients and called them liars. This isn't a situation where a celebrity makes a mistake [and] they come out and apologize and they try to make things right. This is a celebrity [who] has denied all of this, despite all these victims who have come forward and who will continue to come forward.”
Lizzo has kept a low profile since the scandal. In November 2023, she returned to the red carpet for the first time at Beyoncé's premiere Renaissance tour documentary in Los Angeles.