A federal district judge has dismissed the last remaining legal claims against Grammy-winning pop star Lizzo’s touring production company, bringing a years-long employment lawsuit brought by a former wardrobe assistant one step closer to a close. The artist has publicly expressed relief at the ruling while reaffirming her commitment to challenging all allegations against her and her business ventures.
Asha Daniels, the former styling team member, brought her suit against Big Grrrl Big Touring — Lizzo’s touring and production firm — in 2023, when she alleged multiple workplace violations including degrading treatment, forced excessive physical labor, denial of access to medical care, sexual harassment, and racial harassment during her short tenure on the star’s tour. The case has wound through the California federal court system for nearly three years, with key rulings narrowing the scope of the suit over time.
In 2024, District Judge Fernando L. Aenlle-Rocha issued the first major ruling in the case, dismissing all claims against Lizzo (born Melissa Viviane Jefferson) as an individual defendant, leaving only the production company named in the suit. This week, the judge issued a final ruling tossing out all remaining claims against the company, according to official court filings.
In his written decision, Judge Aenlle-Rocha noted that Daniels failed to present evidence of conduct that would prove systemic gender bias or disparate treatment of male and female employees within the company. He acknowledged that some of the alleged behavior described in the suit could be considered inappropriate and out of line with professional workplace standards, but wrote that the alleged incidents fell within the bounds of what the U.S. Supreme Court has categorized as “ordinary tribulations of the workplace,” which are not eligible for legal protection under relevant employment statutes.
The judge also addressed one of the most specific physical claims brought by Daniels: an incident where she alleged a heavy rolling clothing rack ran over her foot, causing lasting injury. While the ruling explicitly stated the court did not intend to downplay or ignore the pain Daniels experienced from the accident, the judge concluded that the resulting injuries did not meet the legal definition of a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act, eliminating that claim from the suit.
Shortly after the ruling was made public, Lizzo shared a statement on her Instagram account addressing the outcome. The “About Damn Time” singer said she felt “relieved” at the court’s decision, and thanked her legal team for their work on the case. She emphasized that her commitment to transparency and truth has guided her through the legal process, noting “The truth matters to me more than anything, and I 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 closed her statement by reaffirming her commitment to using her public platform to spread positivity, and sent well wishes to her fanbase that has stood by her throughout the litigation.
Daniels’ 2023 suit was not the first legal action brought against Lizzo by former tour staff. It came on the heels of a separate 2023 lawsuit filed by three of Lizzo’s former backup dancers, who also brought claims including sexual harassment and a hostile work environment. Lizzo and her legal team have repeatedly denied all of these allegations. A key portion of that suit, including fat-shaming claims brought by the dancers, was dismissed by a judge in 2025.
BBC Newsbeat has reached out to legal representatives for both Lizzo and Daniels to request additional comment on the latest ruling, and had not received a response as of publication.