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Dr. Luke Breaks Silence, Denies Ever Sexually Assaulting Kesha
Kesha’s contract dispute with Sony Entertainment is off to a rough start after a New York judge denied a preliminary injunction against her alleged rapist and music producer Dr. Luke on Friday. This is inevitably a huge blow for the “Timber” pop star, whose career has been on an indefinite hiatus while she’s battled to be released from her recording contract with Sony and Luke’s Kemosabe Records.
New York Supreme Court Justice Shirley Kornreich sided with Dr. Luke, born Luke Gottwald, and Sony stating, “You’re asking the court to decimate a contract that was heavily negotiated and typical for the industry.” Even though Kesha claims Dr. Luke drugged, raped, and verbally and physically abused her for 10 years, the judge determined there wasn’t sufficient evidence present to support her claims, or release her immediately from the contracts.
During the proceedings Sony stated that, contrary to belief, it has offered to let Kesha work with other producers in order to fulfill her contractual duties, but the singer refused the option saying she feared the label wouldn’t promote her music as heavily if she wasn’t working with their biggest hitmaker, Gottwald. However, it’s highly unlikely that Sony would intentionally sabotage its $60 million investment in Kesha’s career by refusing to promote her work.
Dr. Luke, who has been relatively silent over the scandal, finally broke his silence and publicly denied Kesha’s sexual assault allegations Monday on Twitter.
Imagine if you or somebody you loved was publicly accused of a rape you knew they didn’t do. Imagine that.
— Dr. Luke Doctor Luke (@TheDoctorLuke) February 22, 2016
Kesha and I made a lot of songs together and it was often good but there were creative differences at times. — Dr. Luke Doctor Luke (@TheDoctorLuke) February 22, 2016
But I feel confident when this is over the lies will be exposed and the truth will prevail.. — Dr. Luke Doctor Luke (@TheDoctorLuke) February 22, 2016
Even if Kesha’s case isn’t off to a good start in court, she’s already winning in the court of public opinion. Several singers and celebrities, including Lena Dunham, Demi Lovato, Lady Gaga, and Taylor Swift have already begun to come to the singer’s defense and lend their support. Swift even donated $250,000 to Kesha to help with her legal fees, but was later criticized by Lovato who argued that speaking out on the issue would have had more of an impact.
Even though Kesha lost the preliminary injunction hearing, the case is hardly over–in fact it’s just starting. Kesha is still free to try her case in court. If she does end up losing the case she will have to continue recording with Sony, but if the association with Dr. Luke is still too much, her only option may be to buy herself out of her contract.
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