"She was not a true independent contractor that determined her own hours/tasks."

If that is an event operator that travels to different locations and hires local help, it is not unusual for them to "pay in cash" (which nowadays is more likely Venmo), but not using payroll. Except for a core for operations, everyone else would be local hire independent labor.

The only time I've seen payroll for all staff is for a recurring, but stationary, event. Think Coachella or Electric Daisy or Electric Forest.