Probe into alleged festival incident ends
Lizzo accused security guard of attacking stylist at Summerfest
Nearly eight months after Lizzo accused a Summerfest security guard of attacking her team and using “hurtful language,” the Milwaukee music festival has confirmed an independent investigation into the incident has concluded.
Officials at Summerfest’s parent company Milwaukee World Festival won’t reveal the findings publicly.
“A thorough, independent investigation has been conducted surrounding the alleged incident during Lizzo’s performance at Summerfest 2019,” according to a statement. “The results have been provided to artist management and MWF will have no further comment on this matter. Summerfest looks forward to welcoming Lizzo back to the festival in the future.”
Lizzo’s publicist did not respond to a request for comment.
Lizzo performed on Summerfest’s Harley-Davidson Roadhouse stage on June 27, saying on Twitter it was the “best show ever.”
But shortly after that set, she went on Twitter to ask if anyone had footage “of the security guard that tackled and attacked my team . ... They slapped and manhandled my stylist and hairstylist and I’m out for blood.”
In a second tweet that was later deleted, Lizzo filmed the security guard in question, calling him a “racist bigot” and saying he “used hurtful language while tackling and dragging my team off the festival grounds.”
“That was the best show ever but I feel like I can’t even celebrate cuz racism don’t matter if you a headliner,” she wrote in a third tweet.
Two hours after she first tweeted, the singer posted that she and her team planned to file a complaint against the guard. Summerfest responded at 1:30 a.m., announcing the independent investigation.
“Lizzo gave an incredible performance which she now feels is tarnished by events which occurred during the performance,” the statement read. “We do not tolerate racism in any form. We will conduct a thorough investigation.”
“We have an experienced crowd management staff who strive to protect performers & fans,” the statement continued. “While there may be challenges during a performance, we expect those challenges to be handled professionally & respectfully. If those standards were not met, we will take appropriate action.”
In a video account he posted on Instagram, stylist Marko Monroe said he was in the stage’s pit to take photos of Lizzo for Instagram when a security guard grabbed him. Monroe said he tried to show his badge to the guard, but the guard “manhandled” him.
The guard took Monroe to a jail cell, he said, and had an “ego-driven hurrah moment.” The stylist did not identify specific language the guard used but said the guard’s actions “screamed homophobia one-thousand percent.”