Alo Yoga Faces Age Discrimination Lawsuit From Former Top Instructor
Briohny Smyth has sued Alo Yoga in Los Angeles, alleging age discrimination, wrongful termination and other claims
Briohny Smyth, a yoga instructor with a large online following, has filed a lawsuit against the activewear and lifestyle brand Alo Yoga in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleging age discrimination, wrongful termination, unfair competition and the use of an unlawful arbitration agreement.
According to the complaint, Smyth, 42, worked for Alo Yoga and its digital platform Alo Moves after the company acquired the fitness app CodyApp in 2017. The filing says she became one of the platform’s most prominent instructors, with her classes drawing millions of views on YouTube and ranking among the top three most-viewed on Alo Moves.
The lawsuit claims Smyth’s compensation and opportunities were reduced after she turned 40 in 2022. The complaint alleges she “no longer had the requisite Alo Yoga look” despite, in its words, remaining a “physically fit middle-aged woman.” It says she began to be pushed out through cuts to wages, bonuses and opportunities.
When Smyth did not “get the hint” and leave on her own, the lawsuit alleges, she was “thrown out.” The complaint states she was terminated in February 2025 “solely because she was too old and no longer fit within the Alo aesthetic.” Smyth contends the company prioritized younger instructors despite her continued popularity and performance.
The filing says Smyth’s annual pay ranged from $70,000 to $100,000 with bonuses, reflecting her role as one of Alo’s most-viewed instructors. In 2019, she declined a video shoot for less than her $3,000 day rate. An Alo employee responded, “You should really rethink this, because we never branch out to people like you,” according to the complaint.
Smyth considered the comment misguided at the time, noting that her pay had been rising and she believed she had a future with the company. The suit alleges that over time, she was offered nearly five times less than her rate for catalog shoots while younger instructors with the “Alo aesthetic” were paid more.
In late 2023, after she turned 41, Smyth was told her annual salary would be reduced from $100,000 to $50,000, the complaint states. After intervention from a colleague, the company set her salary at $70,000 but reduced her bonuses and clothing contract. Some employees expressed the view that her performance merited a raise, according to the filing.
Smyth remained on Alo Moves until February 2025, when an Alo executive told her by phone she would no longer be working for the company, citing a shift to being “fully under the umbrella of Alo Yoga” and “focusing on different things.” The lawsuit alleges those phrases were coded language for eliminating older instructors.
The complaint also alleges Alo misclassified Smyth and others as independent contractors to avoid providing benefits and workplace protections under California law. She further challenges the arbitration clause in her contracts, arguing it required her to share arbitration costs and was unconscionable under state law.
The suit seeks compensatory and punitive damages, attorney’s fees and declaratory relief. Smyth also asks the court to declare an arbitration agreement unenforceable. Smyth is represented by attorneys Keith Wesley and Trent Copeland of Ellis George LLP.
Alo Yoga didn’t immediately respond to Athletech News’ request for comment.