Kesha and her longtime producer Dr. Luke spent years making hits together, but according to the “Die Young” singer, there was no harmony behind the scenes. The pop star is suing the super-producer, claiming that he was sexually, physically, verbally and emotionally abusive to her over the course of a decade.
According to the lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, Kesha alleges that Dr. Luke began abusing her when she signed with his record label at the age of 18. He allegedly forced her to use drugs and alcohol, in addition to making repeated sexual advances.
“This lawsuit is a wholehearted effort by Kesha to regain control of her music career and her personal freedom after suffering for 10 years as a victim of mental manipulation, emotional abuse and an instance of sexual assault at the hands of Dr. Luke,” Kesha’s lawyer, Mark Geragos, told TMZ. “The facts presented in our lawsuit paint a picture of a man who is controlling and willing to commit horrible acts of abuse in an attempt to intimidate an impressionable, talented, young female artist into submission for his personal gain. Kesha is focused on moving her life and her career beyond this terrible time.”
(Geragos and representatives for Kesha and Dr. Luke could not be reached by MTV News for further comment at press time.)
Dr. Luke has yet to comment on the allegations, but Kesha, who’s asking a judge to let her out of her contract with Luke, does break down in the lawsuit several instances where the reported abuse occurred.
In one instance, Kesha claims that she was made to snort something before getting on a plane, which led to Dr. Luke forcing himself upon her while she was drugged. In another, Kesha alleges that the music producer slipped her “sober pills,” which resulted in her waking up naked in his bed and not knowing how she got there.
Kesha’s Mom’s Bullying Allegations Get Sharp Response From Dr. Luke
In January of 2014, Kesha checked herself into rehab for an eating disorder, which she suggests was brought on by Dr. Luke’s abuse, claiming the he told her that she was “not that pretty,” and “not that talented.” These statements were echoed by Kesha’s mother, but were denied by Dr. Luke who said, at the time, they were “completely false.”
The two began their professional relationship back in 2005, when she was signed, at the age of 18, to Luke’s record label Kemosabe Entertainment and publishing company. He was the executive producer on her second album, Warrior. In October of 2013, fans started a petition to free Kesha from Dr. Luke because they claimed he was forcing her to sing “the same generic, predictable, recycled pop songs.”
Christina Garibaldi
Christina Garibaldi has been an on-camera reporter for MTV News since 2011. When not interviewing or writing about her favorite stars, she keeps herself busy with baby animal videos and boy bands.
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