“Tik Tok” star Kesha broke into tears on Friday morning after a State Supreme Court in New York City refused to let her walk away from a six-album deal with Sony.
Kesha Breaks Down in Court as Judge Refuses to Cancel Contract with Dr. Luke
Kesha must continue to work for the same company and her alleged rapist, the producer, Dr. Luke.
It was a tough day for the pop star. The judge, Supreme Court Justice Shirley Kornreich, told Kesha that Sony would suffer ‘irreparable harm’ if she did not abide by her contract to make six more albums with them. However, Kesha alleges that Sony will not promote her music if she refuses to work with Dr Luke.
The 28-year-old, whose real name is Kesha Rose Sebert, claims that Dr. Luke drugged her with a pill that made her black out and raped her shortly after her 18th birthday in California. The star has never filed criminal charges against the producer, 42. Dr. Luke, who has denied Kesha‘s claims and not been charged with any crime, countered with a breach of contract and defamation lawsuit against his former protege and her mother, though that legal challenge was recently dismissed in a small victory for the singer.
Meanwhile, dozens of fans rallied outside the courthouse in support of the distraught singer as she emerged from the courthouse. They were screaming ‘Free Kesha now!’ outside the courthouse as she took her time walking down the stairs. At one point, the singer stopped to hug a supporter who was in tears.
Then Kesha began to cry herself, holding her hand to her face.
Kesha was also publicly supported on Twitter by a handful of stars — Lady Gaga, Lily Allen, Wale, Ariana Grande, Lorde and other musical peers share their “disgust” over Kesha being forced to work with her alleged abuser or not work at all, many using the trending hashtag #FreeKesha.
See their supportive tweets below:
There are people all over the world who love you @KeshaRose. And I can say truly I am in awe of your bravery.
— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) February 19, 2016
My heart is with @KeshaRose. 💜 — Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) February 19, 2016
standing with @KeshaRose through this traumatic, deeply unfair time. send good vibes her way everyone
— Lorde (@lorde) February 19, 2016
My thoughts are with @KeshaRose today. I’m sorry you’ve had to endure this experience. — lily (@lilyallen) February 19, 2016
Disgusted by anyone in power positions abusing their authority. My heart breaks for Kesha and all people affected by this toxicity. Fuck.
— HALSEY (@halsey) February 19, 2016
💙“@KeshaRose: don’t let anything stop you from shining pic.twitter.com/zSONuIrdDs” — Wale (@Wale) February 19, 2016
If you don’t see why this Kesha issue is a big deal, you’re part of the problem. This is exactly why I speak up the way I do #FreeKesha
— Best Coast (@BestCoast) February 19, 2016
the fact that kesha has to choose to either freely make music or avoid the person who abused her is outrageous and degrading #freekesha — bea (@BeaMiller) February 19, 2016
Contract aside, the sheer magnitude of the allegations surely make the relationship impossible for either party. LET HER GO #freekesha
— Darren Hayes (@darrenhayes) February 20, 2016
