Kesha ordered to honor Dr Luke contract despite sexual assault claim
A judge denied the singer's request to get out of her contract on Friday.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A judge denied Kesha’s request to get out of her exclusive contract with music producer Dr Luke on Friday.
Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Shirley Werner Kornreich shot down an injunction that would have ended her recording partnership with Lukasz Gottwald, professionally known as Dr Luke, on the grounds that the 18 month legal battle had prevented the singer from fulfilling her obligation to record six more albums with him.
Kesha, 28, claimed that Dr Luke sexually abused and assaulted her for years during their professional relationship. Dr Luke has vehemently denied the allegations.
"You're asking the court to decimate a contract that was heavily negotiated and typical for the industry," Judge Kornreich told Kesha’s attorney Mark Garagos, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Protesters quickly gathered outside the courthouse in favor of Kesha, who openly sobbed as the judge read her decision.
Judge Kornreich cited a lack of medical evidence to support the singer's allegations: "I don't understand why I have to take the extraordinary measure of granting an injunction," she said.
According to a 2011 deposition, Kesha denied that Dr Luke had ever given her cocaine or drugged her with a date rape pill. She also explicitly denied sexual assault allegations against him: “Dr. Luke never made sexual advances to me,” THR reports.
The court filings were a part of prior litigation against her former managers at David Sonenberg's DAS Communications.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.