An enormous feature story on pop star Kesha was published by the New York Times yesterday, which left readers devastated – and now, Dr. Luke‘s (AKA Lukasz Gottwald‘s) team has already responded.
The piece, written by Taffy Brodesser-Akner and featuring photos of Kesha‘s current small US club tour (which is allegedly helping her pay for legal fees), went into great detail about her day-to-day life since the beginning of her rape and sexual assault lawsuit against Dr. Luke.
It features written descriptions of Kesha‘s fans (‘Animals’) coming up to the popstar and gleefully celebrating that she is “finally free” in front of her:
‘She looked the Animal in the face and said very carefully: “No, no. I’m not free. Don’t think that, because there’s still a lawsuit. I have new music. I — ” She stopped herself, then hugged the Animal and a few more, took a picture with all of them and left.Later, she told me that people didn’t really understand the predicament she was in. They think it’s simple, that she’s free or not free, that she must have won her court case because she’s performing. “They were like, ‘Oh, my gosh, you’re free,’ and I was like, ‘No, sweetheart, I love you, but no, I am not, and I don’t know where you got that information.’”‘
The lengthy piece examines how the singer’s struggle as as alleged victim of sexual abuse has been diluted through a window of privilege and fame, and how the lawsuits, regardless of results, have negatively impacted her life, career, and mental health.
Titled ‘The Exile‘, the article explains how, as the plaintiff, Kesha has been the one that has been exiled – which is a common situation for many women who accuse someone of sexual assault or rape.
Luke’s legal counsel Christine Lepera has already responded to the article with a press statement that condemns the story, and claims there is “many inaccuracies”.
“The New York Times Magazine profile piece that ran today unfortunately has many inaccuracies.This article is part of a continuing coordinated press campaign by Kesha to mislead the public, mischaracterise what has transpired over the last two years, and gain unwarranted sympathy.Kesha filed a shock and awe complaint of alleged abuse against Luke Gottwald in 2014 — for contract negotiation leverage. It backfired.She never intended to prove her claims. She has voluntarily withdrawn her California complaint, after having her counterclaims in New York for alleged abuse dismissed.Nevertheless, she continues to maliciously level false accusations in the press to attack our client.The reality is that for well over two years, Kesha chose—and it was entirely her choice—not to provide her label with any music.Kesha was always free to move forward with her music, and an album could have been released long ago had she done so.She exiled herself.It was not until months after the denial of her injunction motion – for the first time in June and July 2016–that Kesha started to provide the label with music.She provided 22 recordings created without any label consultation which were not in compliance with her contract, were in various stages of development, and which Kesha’s own team acknowledged needed work. Then, and for the last several months, the label has been in discussions with Kesha and her team to choose the best music, create additional music, and work on the tracks created.A&R representatives of both Kemosabe and RCA have provided Kesha with detailed feedback in writing and in person on the tracks she provided to help her further develop the material. Kesha has also agreed with Kemosabe and RCA on a list of producers who will work with her on these tracks, a studio has been reserved for these sessions, and a budget for certain work provided.The creation of an album is a process, however what has clearly been communicated is that the aim is for a release date as early as possible. It is in the economic best interest of the label and Mr. Gottwald to put out a top selling album, and that takes time. In fact, the label suggested an early release of an advance Kesha track. It was Kesha’s team who rejected this proposal.Kesha’s claim in the article that she has no ability to earn money outside of touring is completely rebutted by well documented public court records which apparently escaped the article’s attention.”
At time of writing, there has been no response from Kesha‘s legal team.
Photo: Chelsea Lauren / Getty.
