Lizzo Receives 2023 BMAC Quincy Jones Award in Lawsuit – The Hollywood Reporter
Lizzo will receive the Quincy Jones Humanitarian Award at this year’s Black Music Action Coalition Gala. The honor comes as the singer faces a lawsuit from her former dancers, who accuse her of a toxic work environment.
Epic Records CEO Sylvia Rhone will also be honored with the BMAC Clarence Avant Trailblazer Award at the event, along with the previously announced Jermaine Dupri. Rhone – who became the first black woman to be named CEO of a major record label owned by a Fortune 500 company when she took office in 2019 – will receive the award, which is named for the late music executive who served on the BMAC advisory board .
“The Black Music Action Coalition is proud to honor Lizzo and Sylvia Rhone at this year’s gala as they join a group of pioneers who have made a huge impact in the music industry and beyond,” said BMAC co-founder Willie “Prophet” Stiggers a statement. “We applaud their commitment to pushing boundaries, amplifying black voices and breaking through those glass ceilings to make space for black women.”
The announcement of Lizzo’s honor comes just a month after the entertainer — along with her production company Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc. and dance team captain Shirlene Quigley — was sued by a trio of former dancers who claim they are religious and racial discrimination been subjected to harassment, disability discrimination, assault and deprivation of liberty. Two days after filing the complaint, Lizzo posted a lengthy statement on Instagram denying the allegations. “I’m not here to be viewed as a victim, but I also know that I’m not the villain that people and the media have been portraying me as for the last few days,” wrote the Grammy-winning singer. “There is nothing I take more seriously than the respect we deserve as women in the world.”
This year’s BMAC Gala, which recognizes individuals and organizations who have made positive change and helped improve equity within the community, will be held on September 21 at the Beverly Hilton and will be hosted by entertainment and lifestyle specialist Kenny Burns . In addition to Lizzo, Rhone and Dupri, the award winners already announced include Keke Palmer, producer Jesse Collins and Dr. Menna Demessie, Universal Music Group’s Senior Vice President and Task Force for Meaningful Change, who will share the Social Impact Award; Jason Flom, co-founder and CEO of Lava Meda, and rapper-activist Trae tha Truth, receiving the Change Agent Award; and Rolling Loud co-founders Tariq Cherif and Matt Zingler receiving the 365 award.
