Throughout the documentary "Love Lizzo," there is a five-minute segment that focuses on a critical discussion around female, plus-size, Black dance artists.
As the "Juice" singer rehearses for her 2019 Video Music Awards performance with a group of dancers, they candidly share their experiences and what it means to them.
The dancer's passionate words echoed around the room, "You can't let nobody see you sweat."
"You have to be three times better than. It's not two times. It's three times. You know what I mean?" All gathered exchanged glances, some wiping away tears of determination and understanding.
Much to the surprise and dismay of a group of dancers, intimate footage of them was featured in the 2022 HBO Max "Love Lizzo" documentary without their knowledge or authorization. This was revealed by documents garnered by The Los Angeles Times and conversations with sources familiar with the situation.
On Jan. 17, the manager for a group of dancers communicated to Alan Brunswick - an attorney for the co-producer of Boardwalk Pictures - his exasperation that those performers had not agreed to be part of the documentary, which also featured Lizzo as a producer, without being compensated.
Slay Smiles, the dancers' manager, noted in an email that was later reviewed by The Times how delicate and confidential the conversations were between the talent.
"This was supposed to be a safe space to express and share with the Principal talent [Lizzo], so sharing this unauthorized footage to the public without their approval/permission has truly exploited these women and violated the emotional safety they had in those moments."
It was unclear whether the dancers who participated in the VMAs had any legally binding agreement for their appearance in the non-union behind-the-scenes footage featured in the documentary. Although these artists had a union contract for their performance on stage, no corresponding deal was granted for this other content.
Brunswick made clear to the publication that the documentary had been created with the explicit permission of all its dancers.
"They all knew the cameras were there. I don't think the documentary was even contemplated at that point."
After one sought legal counseling, a settlement was reached between Boardwalk Pictures, other related entities, and the dancers in February.
In exchange for their involvement in a documentary project, copies of contracts reviewed by the outlet reveal that dancers were compensated and relinquished their rights to any footage taken.
Martin Singer, attorney for Lizzo, recently announced that a resolution had been reached between the production company and their client regarding clearance of the rights to footage.
He explained, "Lizzo had nothing to do with it and knew nothing about it."
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In February, 14 talented dancers agreed with Boardwalk Pictures and others, although they were not part of this recent lawsuit.
In early August 2022, Latasha Bryant, a dancer, received an invitation from a clearance producer to appear in an upcoming documentary.
They offered her and other dancers $350 for their participation, plus an additional 10% agency fee. This initiated a payment dispute, which raged on for weeks afterward.
According to the clearance producer, "We only use 30-45 seconds of the performance scene (cutting down to 30). Although, the dancers are also seen as a group for a minute or two during rehearsals, talking with Lizzo about their hardships in the industry."
"In addition to the extra exposure, we wanted to take care of you all with our limited budget because your stories are so important to be told, and we would love to have you be part of it."
Though those close to her and other performers were reluctant to discuss the matter, it became clear that an email from the clearance producer alerted them that material filmed backstage for the "Love Lizzo" documentary would be utilized. It was in this way that they first learned of its inclusion.
Following two months of negotiation and dispute, the dancers at Boardwalk finally agreed to a settlement.
They were each awarded sums between $7,092 and $7,545 depending on their responsibilities and whether they sang or danced, resulting in a total payment of $109,551, confirmed by documents examined by The Times.
After signing off on various settlement agreements, each dance artist was required to abide by a no disparagement and confidentiality clause specified in their contract with entities such as Boardwalk Pictures, Greenway Pictures, Warner Music Group Productions, Live Nation Productions, and one associated with Lizzo.
This clause strictly prohibited them from sharing details of their respective settlements with any external third parties.
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