On Tuesday, it was reported that Dr. Luke's record label "rescinded its approval" for Kesha to perform at the 2016 Billboard Music Awards. Now, Kesha has confirmed she will not perform at the BBMAs in an Instagram she shared Tuesday night. And to say her reaction is heartbreaking would be an understatement.
Dick Clark Productions released a statement Tuesday (via Billboard), which read,
Kesha accepted an invitation to perform on the show and she received written approval from Dr. Luke's record label, Kemosabe Records. Kemosabe subsequently rescinded its approval following a media report on Wednesday, May 11 regarding Kesha’s appearance on the BBMAs. Unfortunately, Kesha and Kemosabe have since been unable to come to an agreement for Kesha to perform on the show.
At the time of the report, Bustle reached out to reps for Kesha, Sony, and Dr. Luke for further comment, but did not receive a response. But now, Kesha has spoken out herself. Her post reads in its entirety:
I was very excited to perform a tribute to Bob Dylan by singing a cover of "It ain't me, babe" at the Billboard awards this year. I'm very sad and sorry to say I won't be allowed to do this. I just wanted to make very clear that this performance was about me honoring one of my favorite songwriters of all time and has never had anything at all to do with Dr. Luke. I was never going to use a picture of him, speak of him or allude to my legal situation in any way. I simply wanted to sing a song I love to honor an artist I have always looked up to. thank u all for the continued support.
For those unaware, TMZ reported that Kesha was planning on addressing Dr. Luke at the BBMAs, but based on her statement, it seems like all Kesha wanted to do was to step onto the stage and do the one thing she is passionate about — sing. The fact that she won't be performing and is reportedly prohibited from being able to honor one of her favorite artists is beyond sad. It sure seems like her voice is being silenced, but I have no doubt that she'll bounce back like the strong woman she is.
It's been a rough road for Kesha ever since she alleged in a lawsuit in October 2014 that Dr. Luke (real name: Lukasz Gottwald) sexually and emotionally abused her. Dr. Luke has repeatedly denied Kesha's claims and filed a countersuit for defamation. He also took to Twitter in February 2016 to deny Kesha's claims, tweeting, "I didn’t rape Kesha and I have never had sex with her. Kesha and I were friends for many years and she was like my little sister."
The stressful and contentious situation doesn't end there. In February, New York Supreme Court Justice Shirley Kornreich denied Kesha's request for an injunction to end her contract with Sony.
Prior to Kesha's confirmation that she won't perform at the BBMAs, Dick Clark Productions said in a statement,
Dick Clark Productions has a long standing relationship with Kesha. We hope that the parties can come to an arrangement such that we can continue that long standing relationship with a performance by Kesha on the Billboard Music Awards stage on May 22nd.
Kesha’s lawyer released the following statement to Billboard on October 2014:
This lawsuit is a wholehearted effort by Kesha to regain control of her music career and her personal freedom after suffering for ten years as a victim of mental manipulation, emotional abuse and sexual assault at the hands of Dr. Luke. The facts presented in our lawsuit paint a picture of a man who is controlling and willing to commit horrible acts of abuse in an attempt to intimidate an impressionable, talented, young female artist into submission for his personal gain. Kesha is focused on moving her life and her career beyond this terrible time.
On April 3, a spokesperson for Dr. Luke released a statement to Rolling Stone, which reads:
This lawsuit is a wholehearted effort by Kesha to regain control of her music career and her personal freedom after suffering for ten years as a victim of mental manipulation, emotional abuse and sexual assault at the hands of Dr. Luke. The facts presented in our lawsuit paint a picture of a man who is controlling and willing to commit horrible acts of abuse in an attempt to intimidate an impressionable, talented, young female artist into submission for his personal gain. Kesha is focused on moving her life and her career beyond this terrible time.
On February 24, an attorney for Sony told the New York Times:
Sony has made it possible for Kesha to record without any connection, involvement or interaction with Luke whatsoever, but Sony is not in a position to terminate the contractual relationship between Luke and Kesha. Sony is doing everything it can to support the artist in these circumstances, but is legally unable to terminate the contract to which it is not a party.
