253: Lizzo's Legal Troubles: Analyzing the PR & Legal Challenges Amidst Harassment Accusations with Emily D. Baker
Aug 08, 2023
www.mollymcpherson.com/podcast
In the latest episode of the "Indestructible PR Podcast with Molly McPherson," the spotlight is cast on Lizzo. We're exploring the complex layers of her recent legal and reputation troubles. This in-depth analysis delves into allegations against the pop sensation, encompassing claims of coercion, weight-shaming, racial discrimination, and sexual harassment faced by her dancers.
With an expert perspective from internet's renowned legal analyst, Emily D. Baker, the episode dissects the contradiction between these allegations and Lizzo's public image, the nuances of the lawsuit, and the potential ramifications on her brand. The episode also emphasizes the importance of transparency in court proceedings and its role in shaping public perception. This podcast not only informs but equips listeners with tested PR strategies to navigate the tumultuous terrains of crisis management and brand reputation.
In the latest episode of the "Indestructible PR Podcast with Molly McPherson," the spotlight is cast on Lizzo. We're exploring the complex layers of her recent legal and reputation troubles. This in-depth analysis delves into allegations against the pop sensation, encompassing claims of coercion, weight-shaming, racial discrimination, and sexual harassment faced by her dancers.
With an expert perspective from internet's renowned legal analyst, Emily D. Baker, the episode dissects the contradiction between these allegations and Lizzo's public image, the nuances of the lawsuit, and the potential ramifications on her brand. The episode also emphasizes the importance of transparency in court proceedings and its role in shaping public perception. This podcast not only informs but equips listeners with tested PR strategies to navigate the tumultuous terrains of crisis management and brand reputation.
Oh, lizzo. In case you did not hear about the recent allegations against the singer, here's a quick review. That was a clip from the August 4th broadcast of NBC Morning News. Now you were hearing Anchor Savannah Sellers and Joe Fryer discuss the case, but with a particular angle to the story. What do I make of that statement? Well, when someone's in a bind, it's time to read between the lines of the statement. Let's go.
Speaker 1:
Welcome to the Indestructible PR Podcast, where we use current events and test in media and PR strategies to help prevent or manage a crisis and build an indestructible reputation. In this episode, lizzo's legal troubles, exploring the complex employment lawsuit and the reputation repercussions. This week I'm speaking with guest Emily D Baker. She's the internet's go-to legal analyst. I had to speak with her about this case. We discussed the key facts surrounding it, the claims of coercion and all the uncomfortable sexual situations involved. In this episode, I speak with Emily D Baker, the internet's go-to legal analyst, as we break down the key facts surrounding this case, including claims of uncomfortable sexual situations involving Lizzo's employees Under bananas. As we delve into the legal aspects of the situation, we'll analyze the claims of weight shaming, racial discrimination and, as previously mentioned, the sexual harassment made by the okay. So, as we delve into the legal aspects of the situation, we're going to analyze the claims of weight shaming and racial discrimination and yes, the sexual harassment claims made against. Lizzo will also talk about the role of transparency in court proceedings and how it affects public perception and accountability. So get ready for an insightful discussion on Lizzo's legal and PR troubles.
Speaker 1:
What a week for me, well, and for Lizzo. Lizzo had absolutely no consideration for my travel schedule last week. On Tuesday I was in Wisconsin conducting an all day workshop. I was piloting a new workshop. All about, well, what I talk about each week on the podcast how to navigate the pricklier side of stakeholder engagement. I was in a room with 61 people to pilot this course and it was a very engaging day a lot of back and forth, a lot of feedback and at the end of it, I always walk away with the same feeling. It does not matter what the industry is, if it's business, if it's professional or even if it's personal, if it's a regular person, the Hoy Palloy or a big singer like Lizzo If your business or your brand or you run into any type of trouble, your customers can turn on you, your people can turn on you and when they do, it happens quickly and decisively, which is something I needed to do, because as soon as the hat class ended I was in my car ready to hop to MSP to catch my flight.
Speaker 1:
It was tight, but the Lizzo story popped up. I was tagged in a lot of posts on social media and then I read the news stories and I thought, okay, before I get on the road, I just have to jump into the fray here. It was a big story and people were asking. So I quickly hopped on to TikTok just to give a few thoughts about the reputational risk and what we needed to hear from Lizzo at that moment. And I also noted how it was interesting from a news cycle point of view that, as the story was making its way, you know, to from the news outlets and social media, there was also a pending news story just waiting in the wings and all the news stories at that point. So I was in the central time zone, so I was hearing of the nightly newscast, you know, starting from the East, from Eastern daylight savings time, to be technical, and they were breaking in or discussing that. There was going to be a statement, a presser, from special counsel Jack Smith in regards to President Trump's second federal indictment, and this one related to his trying to overturn the 2020 election results. You know, a minor offense, but as I heard this, I thought, wow, what an interesting news cycle we have for Lizzo. Yes, the story marinated for a while, but now it's going to be bumped off the front pages because of President Trump. It doesn't mean that it's going away, but big news outlets are going well, and small local news as well. Smaller news outlets, digital news, whatever all news, all news outlets were going to lead with President Trump, unless it was entertainment focused. So, hey, there was a win right there for for Lizzo, and it made me wonder was that intentional? Was that a legal move by the dancer suing Lizzo, or was it a legal move by Lizzo's team?
Speaker 1:
Now Lizzo is represented by Marty Singer. Who is Marty Singer? I've discussed him on this podcast before as it related to Ricky Martin. I also talk about Marty Singer in my book Indestructible, as it related to Bill Cosby. Other clients John Travolta, kim Kardashian, chris Brown, jonah Hill, tristan Thompson, quentin Tarantino. You're starting to get a sense of the Marty client base. You know your boring clients, right Joking? So he's an LA based lawyer from Brooklyn, new York, and if you want to have any sense of who Marty Singer is, there was a quote in Vanity Fair in 2017 saying this from Marty Singer, quote I love a lot of my clients and I care for them, and if somebody asks with my clients, they're effing with my family or they're effing with me, and quote and effing. He didn't say effing. Vanity Fair used asterisks. So legal is what this PR crisis is all about, which is the reason why I asked Emily D Baker to join me to discuss the allegations against Lizzo, her response and the potential impact on her brand. So we're going to discuss the allegation, the mixed reactions, the legal battle and how it's unfolding, and also the public perception and the legal maneuvers.
Speaker 1:
Now, before I get to the interview, I did receive this question in my PR confidential community. You can find that at five. Dot me, slash Molly McPherson. It is my free hangout where you can ask me questions and I will pull. I will also drop a podcast early. There. I'll answer any question that you have about PR. So join it. It's free.
Speaker 1:
And the question asked was this given the recent lawsuit filed against Lizzo by three of her former dancers alleging sexual harassment and a hostile work environment. What could be the potential legal and public relation implications for Lizzo? And I answered that question on the site by saying hey, you just have to listen to this podcast because Emily D Baker is going to jump in the fray with us. But before we do, I know what you're wondering. Well, what did Molly McPherson have to say on NBC News Now about the PR response? Here we go, whole. Why did I say whole on the air? To be honest, it just came to me. I had my quote down pat, but I don't think I had the ending. So, out of thin air, I pull whole, but Lizzo is certainly in one, so let's see how she can dig her way out of it.
Speaker 1:
Here's my interview with legal expert Emily D Baker. My thanks to Emily D Baker for sharing her legal wisdom. Again, you can find her at Emily Baker. My thanks to Emily D Baker for sharing her legal wisdom. Again, you can find her at EmilyDBakercom. Also on YouTube, patreon and all the socials.
Speaker 1:
And again, if you have any questions for me, you can reach me at the PR confidential community. It's a free resource to you, the listeners and followers, to ask me your questions. Any PR question. Go ahead and ask it Now. In every podcast, I include one indestructible PR tip, and it is this never forget the power of public sentiment, particularly when you're going through an issue or time of crisis, and it could be legal as well. The public, your public, your stakeholders they are always, always looking for accountability, even if it's just a smidge of it. We know, in the face of legal issues, your legal liabilities are strong, and that can be first and foremost but full deniability. It may give you your legal out, but it almost guarantees you will also be out with your people. That's all for this week on the podcast. Thanks for listening. Bye for now.
