Kesha has dropped her sexual assault case against her producer Lukasz Gottwald, also known as Dr. Luke. However, her case has only been dropped in California as she continues to fight in a similar case in New York, also alleging abuse.
It was also in New York that earlier this year, Kesha’s request to terminate her contract with Sony Music and Dr. Luke was denied. Under this contract, Kesha is required to record six more albums, though she is not necessarily forced to work with Dr. Luke.
Kesha’s argument to get out of the contract was that Dr. Luke was sexually, verbally and emotionally abusing her. New York Supreme Court Justice Shirley Kornreich, however; once she heard that Dr. Luke had reportedly invested $60 million into Kesha’s career and that Kesha could record her upcoming albums without Dr. Luke, she ruled against the singer:
“You’re asking the court to decimate a contract that was heavily negotiated and typical for the industry. My instinct is to do the commercially reasonable thing.”
Kesha with family after losing court injunction. Photo by Josiah Kamau.
Fans of Kesha’s gather to protest the New York Supreme Court’s ruling at Sony headquarters. Photo by Steve Zak.
The judge ruled in favor of commercialism, over the individual suffering of a woman who has been sexually assaulted. This precedent spells trouble for Kesha’s pending lawsuit in New York, though she is appealing the New York Supreme Court’s previous rulings.
In response to Kesha dropping the lawsuit in California, Dr. Luke’s attorney, Christine Lepera stated, “If Kesha is voluntarily dismissing her claims in the California case, it is because she has no chance of winning them.”
Kesha herself has spoken out to her fans on Facebook about dropping the lawsuit:
“My fight continues. I need to get my music out. I have so much to say. This lawsuit is so heavy on my once free spirit, and I can only pray to one day feel that happiness again. I am continuing to fight for my rights in New York. Thank you for all your support. The support of my fans has been so beautiful and I’m so grateful for it. I’m Not sure where I would be without you all.”
Kesha at a gala for the Humane Society of the United States. Photo by Jason LaVeris.
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