As if struggling with court cases and public outlash wasn’t enough, Kesha is now facing the disappointment of having her Billboard Music Award performance cancelled by Dr. Luke and her record company, Kemosabe Records. Luke has been in the spotlight of media for months after Kesha accused him of sexual assault.
The company that oversees the show, Dick Clark Productions, released a statement this Tuesday, May 17, stating that the pop star will no longer be able to perform at the awards show due to Luke and her record company.
“Kesha accepted an invitation to perform on the show and she received written approval from Dr. Luke’s record label, Kemosabe Records. Kemosabe subsequently rescinded its approval following a media report on Wednesday May 11 regarding Kesha’s appearance on the BBMAs. Unfortunately, Kesha and Kemosabe have since been unable to come to an agreement for Kesha to perform on the show,” Dick Clark Productions stated.
DCP hopes that they can come to a compromise with Kemosabe to have the star at the show.
Kesha responded on Instagram shortly after the news reached.
“I was very excited to perform a tribute to Bob Dylan by singing a cover of ‘It ain’t me, babe’ at the Billboard awards this year. I’m very sad and sorry to say I won’t be allowed to do this. I just wanted to make very clear that this performance was about me honoring one of my favorite songwriters of all time and has never had anything at all to do with Dr. Luke. I was never going to use a picture of him, speak of him or allude to my legal situation in any way. I simply wanted to sing a song I love to honor an artist I have always looked up to. thank u all for the continued support.”
Luke allegedly cancelled the show after hearing about a plan for Kesha to release a legal statement about Luke and Sony at the show according to TMZ.
The singer and producer’s long-standing feud seems to be never ending. Hopefully, the companies can come to an agreement that will give Kesha the freedom to do as she pleases.