Lizzo Accuses ‘Bigoted’ Security Guard At Summerfest Of Attacking Her Team

Lizzo has called out a security guard at Summerfest who allegedly “tackled and attacked” members of her team on Thursday, the night she performed as a headliner at the annual music festival in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 

The “Cuz I Love You” singer wrote on Twitter Friday morning that her team will be “filing a complaint” against the security guard.

“Tonight was beautiful. You are beautiful. But the struggle ain’t over,” she wrote. “Racism and bigotry don’t care if you’re a headliner. Thank you @summerfest. We will be filing a complaint against that bigoted ‘security’ guard and I hope you’ll be cooperative in seeking justice.”

Lizzo tweeted a few hours earlier that a security guard allegedly “slapped and manhandled” her hairstylist and stylist. 

“FUCK! That was the best show ever but I feel like I can’t even celebrate cuz RACISM don’t matter if you a headliner…. SMH @Summerfest please send footage,” she wrote in another tweet. 

The “Juice” singer then later posted a follow-up tweet noting that organizers of the festival had responded to her complaint.

“Thanks for the support and please send any footage you might have it all helps!” she wrote.

Summerfest organizers confirmed they have since launched an investigation into the matter. 

“Lizzo gave an incredible performance which she now feels is tarnished by events which occurred during the performance,” a Summerfest statement sent to HuffPost via e-mail read. “We do not tolerate racism in any form. We will conduct a thorough investigation.”

The statement continued: “We have an experienced crowd management staff which strives to protect performers and fans. While there may be challenges during a performance, we expect those challenges to be handled professionally and respectfully. If those standards were not met, we will take appropriate action.”

Lizzo, a celebrated proponent of body positivity and empowerment, released her new album “Cuz I Love You” in April. She performed for the first time at the BET Awards this past Sunday and at her first televised awards show, the MTV Movie & TV Awards, earlier this month. 

The singer joins a list of black celebrities who in recent months have publicly spoken out about racist encounters.

Last month, rapper Meek Mill described his interaction with staff at the Las Vegas’ Cosmopolitan hotel as “racist as hell.” The company later issued an apology. In April, singer SZA said she was racially profiled while shopping at Sephora. 

On Friday, Lizzo later addressed her complaints on Twitter by sharing a “friendly reminder”– presumably in response to some Twitter reactions – that people can be racist without using racial slurs. 

“Asking people to prove racism is another tool the oppressor uses to marginalize and discredit us,” she wrote.