HER world has been rocked by allegations of fat-shaming and sexual harassment from her former dancers.
But despite pop star Lizzo — once hailed as a body-positive icon — insisting she’s “not the villain”, I can reveal she’s “disappointed” with the lack of public support from music industry pals.
An insider told me: “This has been one of the toughest weeks Lizzo has had in her life.
“She is aware these are potentially career-ending allegations but has been really disappointed by the lack of public support from her friends inside the industry.
“Lizzo is especially close with Harry Styles, Adele, Rihanna and Shawn Mendes.
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“She was really looking for them to come out and speak publicly or through their social media channels — but sadly for her, that hasn’t happened.
“They have all been in touch privately.
“But due to the severity of the allegations, they have been advised by their management to stay silent until we find out if there is any truth behind them.”
Lizzo and former One Direction star Harry became close mates after he covered her hit song Juice in 2019.
Harry sent her a bouquet to celebrate her song About Damn Time reaching No1 last year.
And in June, Lizzo told Biz on Sunday that Easy On Me hitmaker Adele is one of her closest pals.
She said: “Adele is the best drinking buddy — she is a great friend as well, but we always have so much fun when we have a night out.
“The only downside is, I don’t always remember everything.
“I love the British accent but even though we speak the same language, it sometimes feels worlds apart.
“When I am watching Love Island, I will have to text Harry [Styles] and ask, ‘What does don’t mug me off mean?’.”
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Good As Hell star Lizzo branded the allegations of her sacked staff — who are suing her, her production company Big Grrrl Big Touring Inc and dance captain Shirlene Quigley — “too outrageous not to be addressed”.
And she claimed Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez had publicly admitted they were told their behaviour on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional.
In a statement, Lizzo, real name Melissa Jefferson, said: “I’m not here to be looked at as a victim, but I know I’m not the villain people and the media portray me to be.
“These last few days have been gut-wrenchingly difficult and overwhelmingly disappointing.
“My work ethic, morals and respectfulness have been questioned.”
Following Thursday’s statement, the dancers’ lawyer said: “Given that Lizzo is denying any of this happened, let’s take it to trial.
“More witnesses are coming forward every day corroborating the plaintiffs’ allegations, so we are looking forward to facing Lizzo and her team in court.”
Swift rise to the top for Sabrina
THE thigh’s the limit for pop star Sabrina Carpenter as she shocks in pink on stage in Chicago.
The American singer clearly got the Barbiecore memo as she flashed her pins in a cerise mini skirt and heart-shaped crop top at Friday’s Lollapalooza festival in Grant Park.
Sabrina, whose hits include Nonsense and Because I Liked A Boy, is set to join her idol Taylor Swift on the Latin American leg of her Eras Tour this month.
And the rising star revealed it was a “dream come true” – as she grew up a Swiftie.
Sabrina reshared a tweet from when she was ten years old, which read: “The Taylor Swift concert was amazing, had so much fun.
“I can’t wait to have a world tour someday like hers with two sold-out shows.”
Looks like Sabrina can also see into the future . . .
James not 'Arth as soft as a dad
JAMES ARTHUR admits he’s developed a dad bod after becoming a parent for the first time.
The Impossible singer said he’s piled on the pounds since girlfriend Jessica Grist gave birth to their daughter Emily eight months ago.
And he revealed that becoming a “girl dad” has brought out his emotional side.
Chatting pitchside at Chelsea’s Kingsmeadow ahead of yesterday’s Game4Ukraine charity match, James said: “I am on a bit of a weight loss journey at the moment because I have a dad bod.
“I am a right softie now – big time.
“I have cried and I never used to cry, but I have more so since she was born.
“I have got four sisters as well and I think I look at women probably in a different way, and just people in general.”
James reckons becoming a father to Emily has led to him being less “selfish” – and made him grow up.
He said: “I think it has matured me quite a bit, actually.
“I just look at things a lot differently now.
“The moment she was born, I just gave less of a f*** about all the minor things.
“We all have insecurities and minor things that we worry about, but they accumulate and command and make us all anxious – and being a parent, all of that stuff melts away.
“As soon as she was born a lot of things really became quite small to me.”
James, who won the X Factor in 2012, revealed he’s been working to get in shape.
He said: “I play a lot of football and I play every Monday night.
“I was boxing for a long time but I have had a couple of knee injuries.
“I have had surgery on my left one so I have been up and down with the weight, but these last few months I have really knuckled down knowing I have things like this coming up and a few other charity football games.”
He revealed he’s focusing on his diet, adding: “I try to watch my calories with the MyFitnessPal app and all that kind of stuff.”
But asked if he would like his daughter to follow in his famous footsteps, James – who released his new single Blindside on Friday – said: “That is a straight-up no – unless she was a total prodigy and really obsessed with it and wanted to do it.
“The music industry – certainly the pop industry – is not really a fair fight.
“It is quite political.
“It is not in the best state, so right now I wouldn’t encourage her to be a pop star.”
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Rita's so hot white now
RITA ORA was all smiles as she strutted on stage at Big Slap festival in Sweden yesterday in a hot pink catsuit and shades.
The Hot Right Now singer has plenty to be happy about with her third album You & I riding high in the charts and her wedding pictures, from last summer FINALLY dropping in Vogue.
Rita married her beau, Oscar-winning New Zealand director Taika Waititi in an intimate ceremony at their LA home after popping the question to him.
She wore two Tom Ford gowns, the white evening dress and partied the night away with an Elvis Presley impersonator.
She said: “I wore my mum’s pearls that she got married in.
"My sister Elena walked me down the aisle, and it was just really simple and blissful and calm and private and fun.
“I felt really peaceful actually. It was almost like another day. We just all dressed up and got married.” Congrats.
Das will do nicely for Sam
HE’S often seen in Adidas gear on stage, and now I can reveal that Sam Fender has signed a £100,000 deal with the sports brand.
The musician, who’s a fan of retro anoraks, will star in a new TV advert filmed in his native Newcastle.
He’ll be joined by brand ambassadors Stormzy and football’s Jude Bellingham in the new autumn ad campaign.
An insider tells me: “Sam is chuffed to be involved, as he genuinely loves the clothes and is a perfect fit for the British marketing strategy, which is focusing on home-grown talent.
“Sam is proud of his city, and is a huge Newcastle United fan, so it’s a great idea for him to be part of the ad campaign.
“Stormzy will film his segment in London and Jude will do his in Birmingham.”
Sam has a busy summer performing at festivals all over Europe, but I’m sure we’ll see him sporting more garms with those three distinctive stripes.
It's Fred v a dragon
FRED SIRIEIX says emotions were running high backstage on his new BBC2 series Ultimate Wedding Planner.
The French TV host said: “There were a lot of tears because the tension was mounting and it was a competition.
“I think there were tears on the very first day because we had a planner quit after the first wedding.”
And Fred said he clashed with fellow judge and Dragons’ Den star Sara Davies.
He added: “The thing that you didn’t see was that Sara and I had quite strong and robust debates about who should win or be eliminated.
“Sara is such a smart woman and you have got to be able to argue your case.
“We had some really fierce and strong conversations.”
