KeshaUS pop singer Kesha is pushing for a preliminary injunction against her alleged sexual abuser Lukasz Gottwald aka Dr Luke in a bid to save her music career.
In October last year Kesha filed a lawsuit against the producer claiming he sexually, physically, verbally and emotionally abused her since the age of 18 when she first signed with him and on Friday the musician and her legal team requested an expedited decision on whether the case can move forward sooner rather than later, as they argued her career cannot continue until it is resolved.
An excerpt via Stereogum details their request:
"Until this Court rules on the declaratory judgment claim, Kesha is at an impasse. She cannot work with music producers, publishers, or record labels to release new music. With no new music to perform, Kesha cannot tour. Off the radio and stage and out of the spotlight, Kesha cannot sell merchandise, receive sponsorships, or get media attention. Her brand value has fallen, and unless the Court issues this injunction, Kesha will suffer irreparable harm, plummeting her career past the point of no return."
The LA-born artist has not released new music since her collaboration with Pitbull in 2013, Timber and her last album, Warrior, was released in 2013.
Given that Kesha is signed to Luke's Kemosabe Records, she is unable to work anywhere else until the case has been settled.
For the first time since the news broke last year Sony Music have issued a statement regarding the lawsuit in which they have attempted to distance themselves from the matter.
"She cannot claim that Gottwald [Dr. Luke] intimidated her into silence, then — as an apparent afterthought — seek to hold Sony and Kemosabe Records liable for failing to act on conduct that she did not report," the statement read.
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Meanwhile, Gottwald has maintained his innocence throughout proceedings and responded to Kesha's claims by filing a defamation and breach of contract lawsuit against the artist.
In a new statement Gottwald's attorney remained confident that Kesha's motion will be denied.
"Kesha continues to make the same false claims of abuse against Dr. Luke she testified never happened under penalty of perjury. As with all pleadings in this case, her affidavit is vague and unsubstantiated, with pivotal details such as dates fudged, and notably fails to address her unequivocal prior sworn testimony to the contrary."
"If Kesha now regrets her career being mired in legal proceedings, it’s entirely her making. It was Kesha who chose to file a lawsuit falsely alleging abuse to gain advantage in contract negotiations, and now she must accept the consequences of her improper actions. As long as she continues to stand by her false claims of abuse against Dr. Luke and remains in breach of her contracts, he will continue to protect his professional and personal reputation, as well as his contractual rights, in a court of law. He looks forward to obtaining judgments in his favor."
A New York judge is expected to make a decision on the preliminary injunction shortly.
For confidential help and referral in regards to sexual assault call the National Sexual Assault, Family & Domestic Violence Counselling line on 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732).
