Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga and others stand by Kesha after court ruling
Zulekha Nathoo | CBC News | Posted: February 20, 2016 10:07 PM | Last Updated: February 20, 2016
Pop star suffers a blow in ongoing legal battle but gets encouragement from many female musicians
Big names in the music industry — many of them women — are showing their support for Kesha after a court ruling on Friday left the embattled pop star stuck in a contract with a producer she has accused of abuse.
Kesha alleges Lukasz Gottwald, known as Dr. Luke, drugged her and sexually assaulted her a decade ago. She also says he psychologically abused her.
Dr. Luke claims the allegations are "untrue and deeply hurtful" and are just a pressure tactic to get out of the recording agreement.
Lady Gaga, who opened up recently about being raped as a teenager by a music producer, showed solidarity with her fellow pop star on Twitter.
"There are people all over the world who love you @KeshaRose. And I can say truly I am in awe of your bravery," the Born This Way and Applause singer posted to her nearly 56 million followers.
Kesha, whose hit songs include Tik Tok and We R Who We R, has been embroiled in an ongoing battle to try to get out of the exclusive five-album deal, and went to court to have the contract halted while she pleads her case. The request was denied.
Australian rapper Iggy Azalea wrote she wasn't taking sides but said if two people don't want to be in business together "it seems very cruel for one to hold the other in a contract."
"I'm not accusing anyone of anything," Azalea tweeted. "But I believe Kesha deserves the ability to move forward, create and earn a living."
New Zealand musician Lorde, 19, wrote: "Standing with @KeshaRose through this traumatic, deeply unfair time. Send good vibes her way everyone."
Others, such as Ariana Grande, Canadian singer-songwriter Alessia Cara and Bleachers' singer-songwriter Jack Antonoff have also voiced their support for Kesha since the ruling came down.
Friday's decision is not the end of the case in New York. Lawyers for Dr. Luke and Sony Music Entertainment, a partner in Gottwald's label Kemosabe Records, are asking a judge to throw out several of the singer's allegations.
There are also related law suits in California and Tennessee.