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27 Oct 2023

Cher Says She Never Sings Around the House: ‘I Don’t Like My Voice’

Despite having 30 charting albums on the Billboard 200, 12 top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 and selling more than 100 million records worldwide, Cher is not a fan of her own voice.

In an interview with Entertainment Tonight published Friday (Oct. 27), the “Believe” singer revealed that she doesn’t sing around the house either. “Never. OK? Never,” she told the outlet when asked if she sings her hits at home. “I don’t like my voice. I just don’t like it. It’s like, have you ever heard yourself talking?”

Cher’s most recent confession comes on the heels of her Paper magazine interview, which was released Thursday.

“It doesn’t sound like a man, it doesn’t sound like a woman,” she said of her signature tone in the Paper feature. “I’m somewhere more in-between. I have this strange style. I do what you do when you can’t hold a note: I don’t pronounce my R’s. I guess some consonants are hard to sing, so I just gotta leave them open.”

Though many consider Cher’s voice to be iconic, she would have gone with something a little different if she had the chance. “I mean, people seem to like it and I’m happy as a clam, but I wouldn’t have picked it. I liked it on my mother and it’s definitely my mom’s voice. My mom’s is softer, mine is edgier — different, but the same, but I don’t think I would have picked it,” she told Paper.

Up next for the singer is the release of her highly anticipated Christmas album, which she revealed she wasn’t the most excited to do. Cher told ET, “I just didn’t want to do a Christmas album. I wanted to do an album with a Christmas theme that would make people feel happy during the holidays, but I wanted to do a Cher album.”

27 Oct 2023

Samsung Celebrates Taylor Swift ‘1989’ Re-Release With TV & Soundbar Bundle for… $1,989

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Samsung is looking to make your “Wildest Dreams” come true with a major TV deal to celebrate Taylor Swift‘s 1989 (Taylor’s Version). Swifties and anyone looking to upgrade their home tech can take advantage of 43% off a Samsung QLED 4K TV and soundbar bundle, which brings the total cost down to $1,989 (reg. $3,499.98).

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No promo code is necessary; all you have to do is add the TV to your cart and Samsung will automatically include the soundbar and discount. All you need to do is click checkout — it’s that easy.

The deal is going on from now until Sunday (Oct. 29), which means you’ll want to act fast to ensure you can get the deal — or risk getting a “sold-out” message and have to watch all your streaming options on an outdated TV.

Keep reading to shop the Swiftie-themed deal here.

samsung flatscreen tv with photo on display

Samsung

Samsung 85” Class QE1C QLED 4K & HW-Q700C Soundbar

$1,989

$3,499.98

43% off

Samsung’s QLED 4K TV upgrades your watching pleasure with Quantum Dot technology for a high quality color resolution and picture. It’s also built with Object Tracking Sound Lite for a 3D sound experience that tracks sounds as the picture moves across your screen. Included is also a solar remote that uses solar energy to power.

This deal also includes the HW-Q700C Soundbar, which syncs up with the TV and your smart home devices. It’s also made with technology that reacts to your space and can sense the space around it to deliver sound accordingly.

The Midnights singer has had a big month. Besides finally re-releasing her 2014 pop album, she also celebrated the premiere of her Eras Tour movie (which you can still get tickets to here) along with her 2019 song “Cruel Summer” topping the Billboard Hot 100 last week. To commemorate the No. 1 spot, she took to Instagram to celebrate with video and photo gallery of her in a Reformation outfit next to Jack Antonoff — and the outfit is still in stock.

“IT’S COOL,” the caption says. Keep scrolling to also shop the look.

model wearing brown v-neck sweater with yellow purse

Reformation

Jadey Oversized V-Neck Sweater

While more of a splurge, this Jadey Oversized V-Neck Sweater comes with a soft material made from regeneratively grown cotton, recycled cashmere and traceable wool. The neutral brown shade can be paired with everything from jeans, trouser and skirts, and you can stock up on the three other shades it comes in: Cherry, Gossamer and Husky.

For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Taylor Swift outfits, Eras Tour movie outfits and easy Taylor Swift costume ideas.

27 Oct 2023

Hip-Hop Icon Kurtis Blow Joins SAG-AFTRA Picket Line In Solidarity With The Actors

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Kurtis Blows Joins SAG-AFTRA Picket Lines

Source: Jerritt Clark / Getty / Kurtis Blow

Actors still striking got an ally in Hip-Hop legend Kurtis Blow.

Spotted on Deadline, Hip Hop Alliance co-founder Kurtis Blow joined the actors on the picket line as SAG-AFTRA continues ongoing negotiations with studios to secure a fair deal for the striking thespians.

Speaking with the website “The Breaks” crafter detailed how his SAG-AFTRA membership played a significant role in his decision to join the actors on the picket line.

Because he is a member of the guild, the health insurance was able to get a life-saving heart transplant in December 2022.

Per Deadline:

I am here supporting all the strikers, supporting SAG-AFTRA in this strike,” he told Deadline. “I think it’s very important that we show unity and solidarity. SAG-AFTRA is our partners, man. They are our partners in Hip Hop Alliance. We love them so much. As a matter of fact, the resources that we have available for all of our members is because SAG-AFTRA cares about people, especially the SAG-AFTRA health plan, which actually saved my life. I had a heart transplant, and the SAG-AFTRA health plan paid for all of it, over $8M, and I am here because of SAG-AFTRA. So, I thank you, I love you all. Please, let’s unite, let’s show solidarity, let’s stand strong, SAG-AFTRA strong baby.

Kurtis Blow Understands Why The Actors Are Striking

The Hip Hop Alliance, which he founded last year with Public Enemy’s Chuck D and Dougie Fresh, fights for fair wages, fair royalties, and strong retirement and health benefits for artists in the Hip-Hop and R&B world. It also secured a deal with a SAG-AFTRA earlier this year, so Blow feels the two entities are fighting the same fight.

“It’s so very important to the future on this planet, the music that we make, so we are fighting for fair wages, royalties, and the streaming, which is so very important nowadays, everyone is into A.I and streaming, and we need a fair deal,” Blow added.

Salute to Kurtis Blow, and we still have our fingers crossed this strike ends, and the actors finally get what they deserve from these studios.

—

Photo: Jerritt Clark / Getty

27 Oct 2023

Taylor Swift’s New ‘1989’ Will Push Aside the Original — Just Like Her Other ‘Taylor’s Version’ Albums Have 

One of the most popular albums in the United States, Taylor Swift’s 1989, is about to lose significant market share to a newer version, Swift’s re-recorded 1989 (Taylor’s Version).

It’s happened three times before. 1989 (Taylor’s Version), a re-recorded and expanded version of the nine-times platinum 2014 album, with five previously unreleased tracks, follows the insanely successful formula of the three preceding albums: Fearless, Red and Speak Now. If 1989 (Taylor’s Version) enjoys the same trajectory as its predecessors, the Big Machine-era version of 1989 will lose a majority of its weekly consumption and forever get crowded out by the more popular, Swift-endorsed re-recordings.

To understand what could happen to 1989, consider its predecessor, Red. Average weekly consumption of Red — measured in equivalent album units, which combines physical and digital album sales, track sales and streams — dropped 40% in the 12 weeks following the release of Red (Taylor’s Version), according to Billboard’s analysis of Luminate data for the United States. The original version of Speak Now took an even bigger hit, losing 59% of its average weekly consumption in the 12 weeks after the re-recordings were released. Given those two trajectories, the original version of 1989 could very well lose half its average weekly consumption.

Consumption of the original 1989, which includes Hot 100 chart-toppers “Shake It Off” and “Bad Blood,” has soared this year as Swift reached a Michael Jackson-level of media coverage. As Swift Mania heated up, thanks to her record-setting Eras Tour and steady output of new and rerecorded material, 1989’s average weekly album equivalent units (AEUs) climbed from 16,000 in January to 29,000 in May to 39,000 in August, peaking at 46,000 in the week ended Aug. 17. On the latest Billboard 200 albums chart, the original 1989 ranked No. 20 — one spot behind Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) and two spots ahead of Reputation, Swift’s final album for Big Machine.

That has been great news for Shamrock Holdings, which acquired Swift’s Big Machine master recordings in 2020 for a reported $300 million. In the year before Shamrock Holdings acquired Swift’s catalog, 1989 averaged about 10,000 AEUs per week — 70% below the current level. While Swift’s previous three albums of re-recordings ate into the Big Machine originals, 1989 was spared and got to benefit from Swift’s success — that is, until she got around to releasing her Taylor’s Version.

The original version of 1989 — Swift’s best-selling album to date — has more to lose than its predecessors: 1989 has averaged 33,000 equivalent album units over the previous 12 weeks, nearly 1.8 times more consumption than the 19,000 AEUs Speak Now averaged in the 12 weeks before Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) was released. The original versions of Fearless and Red had even less consumption in the 12 weeks before Swift’s re-recordings came out: 7,000 AEUs for Fearless and 9,000 AEUs for Red.

If 1989’s weekly AEUs drop by 50%, Billboard estimates the gross sales from purchases and streams will drop by nearly $120,000 per week — equal to more than $6 million per year. That’s gross sales, not wholesale. Shamrock pockets less than wholesale after paying royalties, distribution and manufacturing.

And if 1989 (Taylor’s Version) performs like the other three albums of re-recordings, it will far outperform Swift’s Big Machine originals. Through the first 41 weeks of 2023, the re-recordings of Fearless and Red have respectively averaged 4.8 times and 4.1 times the weekly consumption of the original albums. Speak Now (Taylor’s Version), which has just 14 weeks of sales history since its July release, currently has 5.3 times the average weekly consumption of the original.

The original version of Reputation also has a lot to lose. In the past 12 weeks, Reputation has averaged 27,000 AEUs per week. And just as 1989 consumption skyrocketed this year, Reputation’s weekly AEUs have more than doubled since January. Shamrock Holdings will enjoy those spoils, too — that is, until Reputation (Taylor’s Version) inevitably arrives.

27 Oct 2023

BravoCon 2023: Here’s How Fans Can Watch from Home & Buy Last-Minute Tickets

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Your favorite Bravolebrities are taking over Las Vegas! More than 160 stars from Bravo’s The Real Housewives, Southern Charm, Summer House, Winter House, Vanderpump Rules and other shows will be live at BravoCon 2023.

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Bravo’s fan convention will take place at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas from Nov. 3-5.

Keep reading for ways to watch BravoCon online and how to score last-minute tickets.

How to Watch BravoCon From Home

Bravoholics will be able to stream select panels, interviews and other BravoCon content on Peacock. According to Variety, the programming will include interviews with Bravolebs, five episodes of BravoCon Live With Andy Cohen! and other behind-the-scenes content, which will be available starting on Nov. 3. New content will be added through Nov. 10.

Subscribe to Peacock for $5.99/month to watch BravoCon and other programs available on the streamer. Peacock has a huge selection of Bravo shows including the entire Real Housewives franchise (with uncensored reunions) along with dozens of other shows in the Bravo Hub and Peacock Originals such as Twisted Metal, Poker Face, Based on a True Story and Killing It. Subscribers can also stream movies like Five Night’s at Freddie’s and sports.

Where to Get Last-Minute Tickets to BravoCon

Three-day admission tickets sold out on the official BravoCon website. Resale tickets are available at Vivid Seats and Stub Hub.

General admission and VIP tickets are available online. Because tickets went on sale in July (and sold out in a day), you’ll probably end up spending more for resale prices – but that doesn’t mean you have to break the bank.

If you’re looking to save money, single-day passes might be a cheaper option. For example, tickets for Saturday, Nov. 4 and Sunday, Nov. 5. will be cheaper than passes for Friday, Nov. 3.

At Vivid Seats, three-day general admission passes start at$1,250 while single day passes are available for around $670. Three-day passes are slightly cheaper at StubHub ($900 and up). Single day passes start at around $400 at StubHub.

If you want to see Bravo Live! With Andy Cohen, tickets are available at the Bravo Con website as well as Ticketmaster, Vivid Seats and Stub Hub.

What’s on the schedule for BravoCon? The three-day event will be packed with photo-ops and fan events such as “Ask Andy,” “Housewife2Housewife: Comeback Queens,” “The Way We OC It,” “Sur’ving Up the Latest With ‘Vanderpump Rules’: Presented by Lay’s,” “Oh Captain, Our Captains,” “Magic Men of Jersey,” “Bravopalooza Bring Receipts Room” and “Bravopalooza Spill the Tea Room.”

27 Oct 2023

Buffy Sainte-Marie’s Indigenous Identity Questioned by CBC Investigative Report

A new Canadian Broadcast Corporation investigation calls into question the Indigenous identity of singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie. It’s already opened up a broad conversation about identity and appropriation.

The bombshell investigation aired Friday (Oct. 27) on the YouTube channel of the program The Fifth Estate and will be available to stream on CBC Gem starting at 9 p.m. tonight.

Sainte-Marie is one of Canada’s most decorated musicians. The artist and activist has won the Polaris Music Prize, multiple Juno Awards, an Academy Award for Best Original Song, and is the recipient of the Order of Canada and the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award.

She was named Billboard’s Best New Artist in 1964. She’s been recognized as a champion of Indigenous rights on an international level, from the stage to Sesame Street, where she educated children about Indigenous culture starting in the mid-1970s.

The documentary, however, says some of Sainte-Marie’s family members believe her claim to Indigenous heritage “is built on an elaborate fabrication.”

Sainte-Marie has previously said that she was adopted by her parents, Italian-Americans Albert and Winnifred Santamaria, and grew up in the predominantly white Christian suburb of Wakefield, Massachusetts. Later, as a young adult, she was adopted by Emile Piapot and Clara Starblanket Piapot of the Piapot First Nation in Saskatchewan in accordance with Cree law and customs.

She has mentioned that her mother, who she has said was part Mi’kmaq herself, told her that she was Indigenous and that there was no documentation of her birth. In a 2018 interview on CBC’s Q, she attributed this to the Sixties Scoop, a time in Canadian history when Indigenous children were removed from their homes and put up for adoption.

The documentary, which was made without participation of Sainte-Marie herself, features an interview with her younger cousin Bruce Santamaria, who disputes her claim of adoption. It also features quotes from other family members, including references to alleged sexual abuse. The investigation hinges on her birth certificate, which CBC obtained, which lists her presumed adopted parents as her birth parents and her race as white.

“I can say absolutely with 100% certainty that this is the original birth certificate. Beverly Jean Santamaria [later nicknamed Buffy] was born in Stoneham, Mass., at New England Sanatorium and Hospital on Feb. 20, 1941,” says Maria Sagarino, the town clerk in Stoneham.

Sainte-Marie’s lawyer contends that children adopted in Massachusetts were commonly issued new birth certificates with their adopted parents’ names (which the clerk denies).

Ahead of the investigation, Sainte-Marie put out a video in which she affirms herself as “a proud member of the Native community with deep roots in Canada.” She also put out a written statement entitled “My Truth As I Know It.”

“It is with great sadness, and a heavy heart, that I am forced to respond to deeply hurtful allegations that I expect will be reported in the media soon,” the statement reads. “Last month, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation contacted me to question my identity and the sexual assault I experienced as a child. To relive those times, and revisit questions I made peace with decades ago, has been beyond traumatic.”

“I am proud of my Indigenous-American identity, and the deep ties I have to Canada and my Piapot family.” In her statement, Sainte-Marie says she was told by her mother while growing up that she was adopted, and that later in life her mother told Sainte-Marie she may have been “born on the wrong side of the blanket,” a phrase typically used to indicate a child born to unmarried parents.

“For a long time, I tried to discover information about my background,” Sainte-Marie says. “Through that research what became clear, and what I’ve always been honest about, is that I don’t know where I’m from or who my birth parents were, and I will never know.”

CBC contextualizes the investigation within a recent series of revelations around high-profile figures whose claims of Indigenous identity have been disputed, including filmmaker Michelle Latimer and author Joseph Boyden and a number of academics.

These thorny cases, often called “Pretendians,” have initiated conversations around who gets to claim Indigeneity and for what end – often to claim benefits or opportunities or shield themselves from criticism. Some Indigenous commentators are wondering whether Sainte-Marie meets the criteria to warrant this kind of scrutiny, and who should get to do it.

Two members of the Piapot family also released a statement, affirming their kinship with Sainte-Marie.

“We grew up knowing that Buffy and our grandparents adopted each other and how deeply committed and loving they were to one another,” the statement from Debra and Ntawnis Piapot says. “Buffy is our family. We chose her and she chose us.”

“No one, including Canada and its governments, the Indian Act, institutions, media or any person anywhere can deny our family’s inherent right to determine who is a member of our family and community,” the family states.

The statement emphasizes the importance of Indigenous sovereignty in determining who can claim Indigenous identity. “Join us in protecting our right to uphold who we claim as family through our traditions and natural laws.”

Responses on X have pointed out that using government records to determine Indigenous identity can be fraught. In Canada, the Indian Act has historically been used to exclude people with clear Indigenous heritage from achieving “Indian Status” under Canadian law.

Many commentators have expressed that the investigation is painful for Indigenous communities.

Others are asking who the investigation serves.

In the CBC investigation, Native studies professor Kim TallBear says she hopes the investigation will be a turning point when it comes to the phenomenon of white settlers claiming Indigenous heritage.

“This one should make it obvious that we have a real problem we have to address and that organizations and institutions and governments need to get on board and figure out how to stop this problem,” she said.

“And if it doesn’t happen after this case, then I don’t know where we go.”

Buffy Sainte-Marie, who is 82, retired from touring earlier this year for health reasons.

This article was originally published by Billboard Canada.

27 Oct 2023

Drake, Beyoncé & More Artists Who Are 2023 BBMAs Finalists in Multiple Genres (Full List)

The walls between genres are coming down. You can make a good case that no artist better exemplified that trend in the past year than Drake. The Canadian style-shifter is a finalist in three distinct genres in the 2023 Billboard Music Awards – rap, dance/electronic and R&B. (He is also a finalist in such categories as Top Hot 100 Artist and Top Billboard 200 Artist, which measure performance on those all-genre charts, but those aren’t genre-specific categories).

While Drake is this year’s only artist who is a finalist in three distinct genres, 10 other artists are finalists in two distinct genres. These range from music legend Elton John, who really should get an award just for continuing to set records 53 years after his U.S. breakthrough, to a new arrival, Coi Leray, who just may wind up with a Grammy nomination for best new artist on Nov. 10. Elton was nominated in that category back in the day, as was Drake.

The finalists for this year’s BBMAs were revealed on Thursday (Oct. 26). If you missed the announcement, Taylor Swift is the top finalist, with 20 entries. Morgan Wallen and SZA are runners-up, with 17 entries each; followed by The Weeknd (16); Drake and Zach Bryan (14); Luke Combs (10); 21 Savage, Metro Boomin and Miley Cyrus (nine each); and Beyoncé and Rema (seven each).

The eligibility dates for this year’s awards are aligned with Billboard’s year-end charts tracking period, which measures music consumption from the charts dated Nov. 19, 2022 through Oct. 21, 2023. Performances and awards will roll out across the BBMAs and Billboard social channels, as well as via BBMAs.watch on Sunday, Nov. 19.

Here’s a full list of artists who are 2023 BBMA finalists in multiple genres. Note: This shows only their nominations in genre-specific categories, not in categories that are open to all genres.

27 Oct 2023

Jesús Ortíz Paz, Feid, Nicky Jam, Sebastián Yatra & More Share What They’re Listening To | Billboard

Jesús Ortíz Paz, Feid, Nicky Jam, Sebastián Yatra and more Latin stars tell Billboard what music is currently stuck in their heads backstage at Billboard’s Latin Music Week 2023.

Manuel Turizo:
Sech’s “Tus Labios.” I have it to repeat. I love that song.

GALE:
Right now, I’m all about Olivia Rodrigo’s album. It’s a spectacular album. I love the music and the lyrics. I think the ballad “Logical” is … spectacular, incredible!

Arcángel:
The song is because my kids listen to it a lot. [Sings “Diamonds”] It’s a trap song by Mora & Dei V.

Feid:
Well, from my latest album, I love the one called “Bubalu,” which is with Rema. I think I’ve never been able to write such a … such a catchy song that stays with you all the time.

Yng Lvcas:
That I can’t get rid of right now would be Yng Lvcas’ “Perdonémonos.”

Jesús Ortíz Paz:
The song I have on repeat are all the songs on my album. I can’t stop thinking about them … they’re just they’re in my head.

Sebastián Yatra:
Well, the song I mentioned, “Energía Bacana,” I can’t get it out of my head.

Kany García:
It’s a song by Maria Becerra with Enrique Iglesias [sings “Así Es La Vida]. I think it’s a super hit song, I love it, so it’s great that I can tell her that today.

Carin León:
The song I have stuck in my head is “Según Quién” with Maluma, but besides having to sing it, obviously it’s very catchy and sometimes I wake up and say, “D–n, not again!”

Watch the full video above!

27 Oct 2023

Not So ‘Fast’: Why Country Radio Is Hanging on to Hits by Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen & More

Luke Combs’ “Fast Car” rebounds from No. 6 to No. 5 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart dated Nov. 4. The song drew 23.4 million audience impressions Oct. 20-26, according to Luminate.

The update of Tracy Chapman’s classic story song, which hit No. 6 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 in 1988, became Combs’ 16th Country Airplay No. 1 in July and ruled for five weeks. It also crossed over, leading the all-format Radio Songs chart for four frames and Adult Pop Airplay for two, while reaching the top five on Adult Contemporary and the top 10 on Pop Airplay.

“Fast Car” adds a 19th week in the Country Airplay top five, the fourth-longest run ever in the region. It follows only Cole Swindell’s “She Had Me at Heads Carolina” (24 weeks, starting in September 2022) and Morgan Wallen’s “You Proof” (22, beginning in October 2022) and “Last Night” (20, starting in May).

Looking at the 10 longest-lasting top five hits, all but one — Sam Hunt’s 2017 smash “Body Like a Back Road” — have charted since 2020.

What’s keeping certain hits from shifting into reverse quickly on Country Airplay? As noted in July, key factors include both a sustained run of perceived strong product and programmers paying attention to what’s streaming well.

Meanwhile, “in the case of ‘Fast Car,’ we’re seeing very little burn,” country radio programming consultant Joel Raab tells Billboard. “Part of the art of programming is to know when to move on, even when a song continues to test well. It may sound like a cliché, but when program directors tire of a song, that’s the time to play it more.”

“Familiarity breeds comfort,” says Charlie Cook, Cumulus Media’s vp of country. “Okay, that’s a mashup of the saying, but that’s the case with today’s country music. I know that some acts and labels are eager to move on, but I doubt that Wallen, Combs and the writers of these longtime radio hits feel the same.”

Along with earning another top five hit on the Country Airplay charts, Combs is also nominated for 10 trophies at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards. This year’s show will air exclusively across the BBMAs and Billboard social media channels, and at BBMAs.watch, on Sunday, Nov. 19.

27 Oct 2023

Lizzo Tells Court Ex-Dancers’ Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Must Be Tossed Out: ‘Fabricated Sob Story’

Lizzo’s attorneys are firing back at a bombshell sexual harassment lawsuit filed by three of her former dancers, calling the allegations a “fabricated sob story” launched by “opportunists” seeking “a quick payday.”

In a motion to dismiss the case filed Friday (Oct. 27) in Los Angeles court, Lizzo’s team argued that the lawsuit — claiming sexual harassment discrimination, and fat-shaming — came from three women with “an axe to grind” who had shown “a pattern of gross misconduct and failure to perform their job up to par.”

“Plaintiffs embarked on a press tour, vilifying defendants and pushing their fabricated sob story in the courts and in the media. That ends today,” wrote Martin D. Singer, a well-known Hollywood attorney. “Instead of taking any accountability for their own actions, plaintiffs filed this lawsuit against defendants out of spite and in pursuit of media attention, public sympathy and a quick payday with minimal effort.”

In support of their motion, Lizzo’s attorneys also filed sworn statements from 18 members of her touring company who dispute many of the lawsuit’s specific factual accusations. That included several who challenged the headline-grabbing claim that Lizzo fat-shamed some of her dancers — a particularly loaded allegation against a singer who has made body positivity a key part of her brand.

“I never saw anyone, including plaintiffs, being weight shamed or body shamed,” one dancer wrote in Friday’s legal filings. “Far from it. Lizzo inspired all of us to celebrate and love ourselves and our bodies as we are.”

In their motion, Lizzo’s lawyers argued that the case should be dismissed immediately under California’s so-called anti-SLAPP statute — a special type of law enacted in states around the country that makes it easier to quickly end meritless lawsuits that threaten free speech.

It’s unusual to see an anti-SLAPP motion aimed at dismissing a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by former employees against their employer. Such motions are more common in defamation cases, where a defendant argues that a powerful plaintiff is abusing the court system to silence them from speaking out.

But in Friday’s motion, Lizzo’s lawyers argued that the anti-SLAPP law could also apply to the current case because of the creative nature of the work in question.

“The complaint — and plaintiffs’ carefully choreographed media blitz surrounding its filing — is a brazen attempt to silence defendants’ creative voices and weaponize their creative expression against them,” Singer and Lizzo’s other lawyers wrote.

The case against Lizzo, filed in August by dancers Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez, accuses the singer (real name Melissa Jefferson) and her Big Grrrl Big Touring Inc. of creating a hostile work environment through a wide range of legal wrongdoing, including not just sexual harassment but also religious and racial discrimination. The alleged weight-shaming, the lawsuit claims, amounted to a form of disability discrimination.

In one particularly vivid allegation, Lizzo’s accusers claimed she pushed them to attend a live sex show at a venue in Amsterdam’s famed Red Light District called Bananenbar, and then pressured them to engage with the performers, including “eating bananas protruding from the performers’ vaginas.” After Lizzo herself led a chant “goading” Davis to touch one performer’s breasts, the lawsuit says, Davis eventually did so.

But in Friday’s filings, Lizzo tour manager Molly Gordon sharply called into question that version of the evening.

“When I was at Bananenbar, I spoke with Davis. She did not say that she felt uncomfortable, that she felt forced to be there, or that she wanted to leave but felt that she could not do so,” Gordon said in the filing. “There would have been no question about whether she could leave if she was uncomfortable. I did not witness her engaging with any of the Bananenbar performers.”

Another key allegation in the August complaint was that Shirlene Quigley, the captain of Lizzo’s dance team, forced her religious beliefs on the plaintiffs and took repeated actions that made them uncomfortable, including commenting about their sexual virginity and simulating oral sex on a banana in front of them.

In sworn statements filed Friday, several members of the touring company disputed those allegations. Chawnta Van, a dancer, said the lawsuit’s description of Quigley was “not an accurate portrayal of her at all.”

“Quigley never treated anyone differently because of their religious or spiritual beliefs or actions,” Van said. “I never witnessed her bullying anyone about Jesus or about not having the same religious beliefs as she does, and that is completely contrary to who she is.”

The August complaint also detailed alleged outbursts by Lizzo, including an “excruciating re-audition” during which one dancer claims she wet herself because she feared she would be fired if she left the stage. The case also claims Lizzo repeatedly told dancers “none of their jobs were safe” and, most notably, raised “thinly veiled concerns” about Davis’ weight gain.

But according to Asia Banks, a dancer who described herself in Friday’s filings as “the biggest dancer on the tour,” she never experienced anything like that. “Lizzo always went out of her way to make me feel secure and confident in my body, including by making sure I was comfortable in every single costume for the show.”

Other statements from tour members alleged behavior and performance issues with Lizzo’s accusers. Zuri Appleby, a bass player, claimed Davis had been “lax about her performances, her hygiene and her health.” Gordon, the tour manager, said Williams had been terminated because she was “frequently late for rehearsals” and had missed a flight.

A representative for the plaintiffs did not immediately return a request for comment on Friday.