Alo Yoga , the multibillion-dollar Los Angeles athleisure and wellness retailer, is under fire after one of its most visible instructors, Briohny Smyth , filed a 58-page lawsuit alleging age discrimination , wrongful termination, unfair competition, and unlawful employment practices.
The Lawsuit of “Alo Aesthetic” Over Inclusion? Filed in a Los Angeles court in August 2025 , the complaint claims Smyth was pushed out after turning 40 —despite being one of Alo Moves’ top draws and a core architect of the brand’s
digital fitness rise. Smyth’s classes regularly drew millions of views , and she earned between $70,000 and $100,000 per year plus bonuses. But after turning 40, her base pay was slashed, bonuses were halved, and by February 2025 , Smyth was terminated.
Her attorneys argue that Alo’s stated shift to focusing on different things was a coded message: she no longer had the Alo aesthetic, a euphemism for being too old, despite her physically fit middle-aged status .
Attorney Reaction: Calling Out Corporate Hypocrisy Keith Wesley , managing partner at Ellis George LLP and Smyth’s attorney, issued a direct statement : “ Briohny Smyth is an icon in the yoga community.
It’s ironic that a woman who has devoted her life to championing a healthy lifestyle is fired from a company just because she turned 40…
