HOUSTON — “I quit.” That’s part of an emotional and cryptic message Lizzo posted to social media on Friday night. It’s a message apparently from the longtime Houstonian, whose real name is Melissa Viviane Jefferson, that’s getting a lot of responses.
“I’m getting tired of putting up with being dragged by everyone in my life and on the internet. All I want is to make music and make people happy and help the world be a little better than how I found it. But I’m starting to feel like the world doesn’t want me in it. I’m constantly up against lies being told about me for clout & views… being the butt of the joke every single time because of how I look… my character being picked apart by people who don’t know me and disrespecting my name.
"I didn’t sign up for this (expletive) --
"I QUIT”
Less than three hours after the post went up, it had more than 372,000 likes and nearly 19,000 comments.
At this point, it’s not clear if something specific led to Lizzo’s post. KHOU 11 has reached out to her representatives for comment or clarification but has not yet heard back.
Lizzo was sued last year by former backup dancers. The three plaintiffs -- Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez -- - accuse Lizzo of sexual harassment and said her production company created a hostile work environment. Lizzo responded on social media, denying the allegations in a lengthy statement.
Another suit was filed a month after the first. The second lawsuit was filed by Asha Daniels, an assistant wardrobe manager on Lizzo’s 2023 tour. Daniels’ lawsuit was against Lizzo, her production company, wardrobe manager and tour manager.
The second suit was filed on the night Lizzo was receiving a humanitarian award.
After both suits were filed, Lizzo responded through her spokesperson, Stefan Friedman. He called the lawsuit bogus, saying, "an ambulance-chasing lawyer tries to sully this honor by recruiting someone to file a bogus, absurd publicity-stunt lawsuit who, wait for it, never actually met or even spoke with Lizzo."
This is a developing story. Once we know more, we’ll post it here.
