Kesha and Dr. Luke: 26 Stars Who Joined the #FreeKesha Movement
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The #FreeKesha Movement
After years of heartbreaking turmoil and legal battles, Kesha appeared in court Feb. 19 and was denied her request for a preliminary injunction against producer Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald. The 28-year-old star alleged that Dr. Luke put her through "sexual and drug related" assault, and has sought to end her contract with him and Sony in order to stop working with her accused abuser. Dr. Luke has denied the allegations, calling the court’s decision proof that “Kesha’s allegations of purported abuse were unconvincing and that she had no basis to void record contacts and copyrights.”
Following the judge's ruling, a number of celebs have spoken out in support of the singer. See who has joined the #FreeKesha movement, ahead.
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Adele
Adele joined the movement at the 2016 BRIT Awards. The famed singer spoke out on Kesha's behalf while accepting the award for best British female solo singer of the year, telling the crowd, "I’d like to take this moment to publicly support Kesha."
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Lena Dunham
Girls creator Lena Dunham used the platform of her own Lenny Letter to take a stand. In the newsletter mailed to subscribers on Tuesday, Dunham wrote, "When I saw the outcome of Kesha’s court case last Friday, I felt sick... To be clear, Kesha’s case is about more than a pop star fighting for her freedom, or a $60 million investment in a shiny commercial career. It’s about more than whether Kesha can strap on her cool leotards and make another album, free from a man who she says terrifies her. It’s even about more than the systemic misogyny of the entertainment industry, or the way that women in music and film have long been controlled and coerced by abusive Svengalis and entities larger than themselves... What’s happening to Kesha highlights the way that the American legal system continues to hurt women by failing to protect them from the men they identify as their abusers."
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Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift put her money where her mouth is, donating $250,000 to Kesha as she faces legal fees in her battle against Dr. Luke. "In a show of support, Taylor Swift has donated $250,000 to Kesha to help with any of her financial needs during this trying time," reps for Swift said in a statement released to EW. Kesha's mother Pebe Sebert also chimed in, tweeting, "Taylor Swift has just generously donated $250,000. to Kesha, as a show of support during this difficult time.AMAZING!!... A persons wealth is not measured by what they have but by WHO they they help with it. And Taylor Swift is is a truly RICH PERSON. Thank you... Most important for Kesha, is that these beautiful, powerful women are standing behind her, letting the world see how powerful the truth is!"
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Margaret Cho
Comedian Margaret Cho shared an article on Kesha's battle, tweeting, "#FreeKesha," going on to retweet messages of support and writing, "YOU AND YOU ALONE made Kesha famous. We got your back gurl. Legions of fans, many of us ALSO #survivors - WE GOT YOU! #freeKesha... #istandwithKesha #FreeKesha... I hate what's happening to @KeshaRose but I LOVE the overwhelming SUPPORT+LOVE her fans have shown. She got ARMIES READY 2 FIGHT #FreeKesha... I love the RAGE from all you beautiful young people - you won't let her down. I'm inspired by all of you! #FreeKesha #thefutureisverybright."
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Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson took to Twitter after the news spread, linking to a tweet from duo Best Coast which read, "This is some legit bulls--t." Clarkson, who has worked with Dr. Luke on hits like “Since U Been Gone” and “Behind These Hazel Eyes,” shared the sentiment, adding, "Trying 2 not say anything since I can't say anything nice about a person... so this is me not talking about Dr. Luke."
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Demi Lovato
Demi Lovato made waves with her words on the issue. She first took to Twitter, writing, "#FreeKesha this is only gonna make you stronger, you brave and beautiful girl. Prayers are with you @KeshaRose... Frustrating to see women come forward with their past only to be shot down, not believed & disrespected for their bravery in taking action... Happens way too often. I'm ready for women to be taken just as seriously as men... Someone tell me why anyone would ever feel brave enough to come forward if they are most likely to be ignored or called a liar?" She then went on to speak on "women empowerment," tweeting that it is "speaking up for other women even when it's something uncomfortable to speak up about," "using your voice to help the voiceless women be heard," "taking action now, not when it's convenient," and "leading other women to make actual changes in our society."
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Lady Gaga
"There are people all over the world who love you @KeshaRose. And I can say truly I am in awe of your bravery," Lady Gaga tweeted. She went on to retweet a message from Dazed magazine, which read, "@KeshaRose is being treated like a human jukebox in a cage."
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Halsey
Singer Halsey spoke out in support of Kesha, tweeting, "Disgusted by anyone in power positions abusing their authority. My heart breaks for Kesha and all people affected by this toxicity. F--k... I don't even know what I would do... I only hope she can find peace and find a way to continue to create express herself without fear."
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Jack Antonoff
"FREE KESHA," Bleachers performer Jack Antonoff wrote. "hey @kesharose -- don't know what the legal specifics are, but if you want to make something together & then leak it for everyone I'm around... or just make something and wait on it till that creep can't block you anymore. standing offer from me and everyone I work with."
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Rowan Blanchard
The Girl Meets World star linked to an article about Kesha's legal battle and tweeted, "#FREEKESHA @KeshaRose," going on to add, "H8 2 say this but not surprised about the Kesha verdict- when in history have women ever been able to actually trust the law 2 protect them?... It really kills me that more people who r in a position of power & vocally pro-woman aren't speaking out about Kesha."
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Lorde
"Standing with @KeshaRose through this traumatic, deeply unfair time. send good vibes her way everyone," Lorde tweeted.
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Best Coast
Bethany Cosentino and Bobb Bruno of Best Coast tweeted of the ruling, "This is some legit bulls--t #FreeKesha," going on to add, "If you don't see why this Kesha issue is a big deal, you're part of the problem. This is exactly why I speak up the way I do #FreeKesha" and retweet messages of support for the singer.
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Chelsea Peretti
Comedian Chelsea Peretti got serious, tweeting, "[heart] to Kesha #FreeKesha."
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Wale
The rapper shared a tweet from Kesha that read "don’t let anything stop you from shining," adding a heart emoji. He went on to tweet hearts and diamonds at the singer, and added, "She's a soldier. Nothing but love for Kesha."
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Rose McGowan
Sharing a Jezebel article with the headline "How We Failed to Protect Kesha," Rose McGowan tweeted, "F--k this #freekesha," adding that her sentiment was about "the judge's decision" and continuing to share coverage of the case.
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Mara Wilson
"I believe Kesha," Wilson tweeted simply, going on to add, "There's a quote, I believe from John Fogerty: 'The music industry is so corrupt it makes Hollywood look like a charity organization.' #Kesha."
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Tegan and Sara
Tegan and Sara tweeted, "#freekesha," also retweeting messages of support from others for the singer.
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Tyler Oakley
"I support @kesharose. #freekesha," YouTube star Tyler Oakley wrote simply.
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JoJo
A performer who went through her own contract battle, JoJo tweeted, "I don't know all the facts, of course, but the bottom line is: it is a terrible feeling to not own your voice/ be able to release music... I felt very alone when I was going through my lawsuit. It was my fans who kept me going. The #freejojo campaign meant everything to me." She also shared a photo of Kesha crying in court, writing, "these pictures truly broke my heart today."
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Ariana Grande
"My heart is with @KeshaRose," Grande tweeted, adding a heart emoji.
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Zedd
Producer Zedd reached out to Kesha, tweeting, "@KeshaRose very very sorry to hear about the whole situation. I'll be happy to produce a song for you if you want my help."
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Sara Bareilles
"I send you love @KeshaRose," Sara Bareilles tweeted with a heart emoji.
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Lilly Singh
YouTube personality Lilly Singh tweeted, "Reading up on this trend and I am lost for words. #FreeKesha Sending so much #GirlLove... In times like this (#FreeKesha) the answer isn't to start pointing at other women and what they haven't done. It's to come together... This has really affected my day... @KeshaRose I will effing ride with you girl. Stay strong. Sincerely, your sisters x #FreeKesha... Next time you're about to get sexually assaulted, make sure you have your GoPro strapped to your forehead for proof. Idiots. #FreeKesha... Don't judge people's actions by what they tweet or don't tweet. You never know what they're doing offline. #TaylorSwift #FreeKesha."
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Troye Sivan
"Can't stop thinking about @KeshaRose," Troye Sivan tweeted. "There is 100% a beautiful, musical light at the end of this dark, disgraceful tunnel. keep going... @SonyMusicGlobal f--k your 'investment', this is a human being you're dealing with. just let her go."
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Haim
The sisters of Haim tweeted their support, writing, "We love you and support you @kesharose you are the strongest, most brave friend we have and we stand by you forever. #freekesha"
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Neko Case
Neko Case spoke out on the matter, retweeting messages of support for Kesha and writing, "RAGE, Kesha, RAGE!! @KeshaTODAY @Sony #FreeKesha"