Lashing for Lizzo over fall of FOMO
POP powerhouse Lizzo has been accused of contributing to the downfall of music festival FOMO and the event’s subsequent $6.2m debt owed to creditors.
FOMO entered liquidation in May owing hundreds of creditors money.
News Corp understands that of the outstanding $6.2m, the ATO, Facebook and another performer from the 2020 line-up are owed the greatest amounts.
Three-time Grammy winner Lizzo headlined the festival’s 2020 dates in January this year, performing at the Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide legs.
But a report from liquidators Hall and Chadwick state that FOMO director Anand Krishnaswamy claimed Lizzo, the performer persona of 32year-old Melissa Viviane Jefferson, made multiple breaches of her contract.
“I have been informed by Mr Krishnaswamy that the following reasons pertain to the company’s failure,” liquidator Kathleen Vouris wrote.
Reason No.9 stated: “Breaches of contract by the artist known as Lizzo.”
Contract confidentiality agreements restrict public knowledge of the breaches.
The Truth Hurts singer’s management and Mr Krishnaswamy did not respond to requests for comment.
During her Australian visit, the beloved singer and flautist also sold out solo gigs at the Sydney Opera House and the Forum, Melbourne. She also turned up for a surprise volunteer shift at Melbourne Foodbank to pack essentials for bushfire-affected families.
The drug overdose death of Sydney teenager Alex Ross-King at FOMO in 2019 was also given as a reason for the festival’s downfall.
“(Reasons include) significant state and federal government and health agency pressures to increase safety measures,” the report stated.
“Emotional and financial impact of an overdose death of a patron during the FOMO 2019 festival. Significant time and resources required to comply with the NSW coronial inquest in 2019.”