A federal judge has dismissed the remaining claims in a lawsuit filed against Lizzo's touring production company, ending a legal battle that had stretched nearly three years. District Judge Fernando L Aenlle-Rocha ruled on the case on September 1, 2026, according to court documents, clearing the final hurdle in litigation that had already seen the Grammy-winning artist removed as a defendant.
The lawsuit originated from allegations made by Asha Daniels, who worked as a wardrobe assistant for Big Grrrl Big Touring Inc during the singer's 2023 European tour. Daniels had claimed she experienced "degradation, forced physical labor, denial of medical care, sexual harassment, and racial harassment" during her brief employment with the company.
In response to the dismissal, Lizzo—whose real name is Melissa Viviane Jefferson—expressed her position through an Instagram post, stating she felt "relieved" by the outcome and pledging to "continue to fight" against all allegations directed at her and her businesses.
What did the judge find?
Judge Aenlle-Rocha determined that Daniels had failed to present sufficient evidence to establish either "general hostility to women in the workplace" or "disparate treatment of men and women" within the company. According to reporting on the ruling, the judge found the conduct alleged, though "inappropriate and unprofessional," fell outside the scope of workplace protections established by the Supreme Court, instead characterizing such incidents as "ordinary tribulations of the workplace."
The judge also addressed a specific incident in which Daniels claimed her foot was struck by a heavy clothes rack. While acknowledging the pain involved, Aenlle-Rocha concluded the resulting injuries "do not qualify as disabilities" under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and therefore did not meet the legal threshold for protection under that statute.
How did Lizzo respond?
In her Instagram statement, the "About Damn Time" singer thanked her legal team and reaffirmed her commitment to transparency.
The truth matters to me more than anything and 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 wrote. She also pledged to continue using her platform to "spread positivity and light to the world" and sent appreciation to her supporters.
What is the broader legal context?
Lizzo had already been removed from the lawsuit as an individual defendant in December 2024, leaving Big Grrrl Big Touring Inc as the sole remaining defendant. The September 2026 dismissal represents the final resolution of Daniels' claims at the district court level. According to legal reporting on the case, Daniels retains the theoretical option to challenge the dismissal, though no hearing or appeal has been scheduled.
This lawsuit was separate from another legal matter involving three of Lizzo's former tour dancers, who filed claims that included allegations of sexual harassment. Those claims remain denied by Lizzo's team. Additionally, fat-shaming allegations that emerged from the same broader dispute were dismissed by a judge in 2025.
What happens next?
The dismissal concludes the Daniels case at the district court level. While reporting indicates Daniels could theoretically pursue an appeal, no such motion has been filed or scheduled as of the latest available information.
