Lady Gaga has spoken out in defense of Kesha after it was announced that the “TiK ToK” singer would not be allowed to perform at the Billboard Music Awards.
“Isn’t it strange that it’s legal to own a woman this way?” Gaga tweeted. “Listen Ursula, we want her voice back. #freeKesha.” She then linked to a story about the removal of Kesha’s performance over concerns that she would reference her legal troubles with her former producer Dr. Luke.
Following news that Dr. Luke’s label Kemosabe Records had “rescinded its approval” of the performance, Kesha took to social media to say that she’s “very sad” about the cancellation.
She added that she had no intention of mentioning Dr. Luke — real name: Lukasz Gottwald — with whom the singer has been locked in a protracted legal battle since October 2014, during the performance.
“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,” Kesha wrote.
A May 11 TMZ report cited a source saying that the pop star was “planning to make direct references to her ongoing legal battle with Dr. Luke … and might even include images of him.”
Kesha maintains that Gottwald, who discovered her at age 17, inflicted years of verbal and sexual abuse.
Earlier this year, Kesha lost a bid to record outside her contract with Sony — Kemosabe’s umbrella label — with the judge contending that she could record with other producers.
Isn’t it strange that it’s legal to own a woman this way? Listen Ursula, we want her voice back. #freeKeshahttps://t.co/rifG9nWRWw
— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) May 19, 2016