Renowned singer and flautist Lizzo will be honoured with the Quincy Jones Humanitarian Award from the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) this week, despite the bullying allegations made against her earlier this year.
Earlier this year, several dancers who worked with Lizzo claimed she bullied them for their weight, pressured them into doing things they were uncomfortable with and created a toxic work environment for her staff.
In early August, the attorney representing the dancers, Ron Zambrano, released a statement reading, “The stunning nature of how Lizzo and her management team treated their performers seems to go against everything Lizzo stands for publicly, while privately she weight-shames her dancers and demeans them in ways that are not only illegal but absolutely demoralizing.”
However, irrespective of these claims, the Minnesota vocalist will still be rewarded for her philanthropic work and commitment to social justice concerning body positivity among young women.
During her time in the limelight, the singer (real name Melissa Jefferson) has donated over half a million dollars to various programs and organizations helping females suffering from body dysmorphia and even set up her Sasha Be Flooting scholarship for Black music students at the University of Houston.
In a statement, the co-founder of the BMAC asserted, “The Black Music Action Coalition is proud to honour Lizzo and Sylvia Rhone at this year’s Gala, as they join a group of trailblazers who have made an immense impact within the music industry and beyond.”
The BMAC did not highlight the allegations of harassment and unfair dismissal. Therefore, the award will still be given to the vocalist despite the very public scandal Jefferson was at the centre of earlier this year.