People are demanding #FreedomForKesha: Here’s what accusing a powerful producer of rape has cost her
The pop singer accused her producer, Dr. Luke, of repeatedly abusing and assaulting her over a 10-year period
Topics: aol_on, dr. luke, kesha, lawsuits, Sexual assault, Entertainment News
Today, the hashtag #FreedomForKesha was trending on Twitter, with the public sharing support for pop singer Kesha Rose Sebert, who on Friday pushed for a preliminary injunction in her legal battle with her former producer Dr. Luke (Lukasz Gottwald). Sebert alleges that Gottwald has abused her repeatedly during their ten-year working relationship.
she was raped and abused by her producer for 10 years, and now she is being blackmailed. she can't speak now, but we can. #FreedomForKesha
— a 38 (@mendesdish) September 22, 2015
Kesha is the victim of rape and yet she's being punished for it while her rapist walks free with no repercussions #FreedomForKesha
— Em (@Freakshowney) September 22, 2015
Whether you like Kesha or her music, undergoing 10 years of rape and having her right to make music taken away is not okay #FreedomForKesha
— ollie (@BodyE1ectric) September 22, 2015
Kesha is losing her career for publically accusing her rapist and people wonder why more victims of rape don't speak up #FreedomForKesha
— Walker Cook (@wtc1998) September 22, 2015
Kesha was sexually assaulted for a decade by her producer. She comes forward and now she can't make music. #FreedomForKesha
— Lauryn Spencer (@predicktability) September 22, 2015
raped and sexually abused by her producer & basically blackmailed into staying with his company by threats of her career #FreedomForKesha
— hannah (@REGUICULOUS) September 22, 2015
Kesha was raped & abused by her producer for years, yet when SHE speaks out she is punished? This is disgusting. #FreedomForKesha
— becki (@STUDlOGHOUL) September 22, 2015
Last October, Sebert sued Gottwald, claiming that the producer “sexually, physically, verbally and emotionally abused” her over the course of a decade, since she signed with him at age 18. Sebert claims that Gottwald once made her snort a substance before getting on a plane and then assaulted her in the air. On another instance, she claims he drugged her with GHB, after which she woke up sore and naked in his bed with no memories of the prior night.
Gottwald countersued, arguing that Sebert was trying to extort him in order to get out of her contract with him. As the legal battle has raged on — with a California judge halting the suit, necessitating the dispute continue in New York — Kesha’s career has ground to a halt, with no new releases since 2013’s Pitbull collaboration “Timber.”
Now, Kesha’s legal team is urging New York courts to move forward with a preliminary injunction against Gottwald (basically pushing the court to make up its mind soon), arguing that the survival of her career hangs in the balance. Kesha is presently signed to Dr. Luke’s Kemosabe Records, a part of Sony records, meaning that she literally cannot work until the suit is resolved.
