Two days after a New York judge denied Kesha a court injunction that would have allowed her to record new music outside of her record label Sony Music, Taylor Swift has agreed to give the singer $250,000.
“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,” a spokesperson for Swift wrote in a statement.Swift is the latest singer to show support for Kesha after the trial, with Lady Gaga, Lorde, Grimes, Lily Allen and Kelly Clarkson among those who have taken to Twitter to publicly back the singer.
“There are people all over the world who love you Kesha,” Gaga wrote. "And I can say truly I am in awe of your bravery.“
“Standing with Kesha through this traumatic, deeply unfair time,” added Lorde. “Send good vibes her way, everyone.”
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| Taylor Swift Donates $250,000 to Kesha After Court Ruling |
“#FreeKesha. This is only gonna make you stronger, you brave and beautiful girl,” Lovato wrote. “Prayers are with you. Frustrating to see women come forward with their past only to be shot down, not believed and 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?”
Lovato also wrote that she was “ready for self-proclaimed feminists to start speaking out or taking action for women’s rights,” which some fans interpreted as a subtle dig at Swift. However, multiple sources connected to Swift tell Rolling Stone that there was no connection between Lovato’s tweets and the donation. “When Taylor saw the heartbreaking courtroom photos of Kesha, it was then that she knew she needed to do something,” a source close to Swift says.
On Friday, New York Supreme Court Justice Shirley Kornreich sided with Dr. Luke and Sony at Kesha’s hearing, telling the singer's legal team, “You’re asking the court to decimate a contract that was heavily negotiated and typical for the industry." Kesha’s lawyer Mark Geragos asked for an injunction because, as he told the judge, the career of a pop star is often brief, and Kesha’s career could be "irreparably harmed” if she did not return to recording music.
“There has been no showing of irreparable harm. She’s being given opportunity to record,” Judge Kornreich said in denying the injunction. Kesha will have to record six more albums under Kemosabe Records, Dr. Luke’s Sony imprint, according to the New York Daily News.
“We are pleased with the Court’s decision from the bench fully denying Ms. Sebert’s motion for a preliminary injunction,” Christine Lepera, Dr. Luke’s attorney, told Rolling Stone Friday. “As the Court recognized, Ms. Sebert has always had the ability to proceed with her career if she so chooses. We remain confident that when all the facts are presented that Ms. Sebert’s allegations against Luke will be shown to be completely false and were asserted solely to extort money and gain contractual leverage.”
Geragos did not respond to a request for comment following the hearing.
In October 2014, Kesha sued Dr. Luke, accusing him of drugging, raping and abusing her a decade ago; Dr. Luke has denied all charges. The producer’s lawyers argued that Kesha made up the allegations as an attempt to nullify her contract with Dr. Luke and Sony. Judge Kornreich reserved to rule on a motion to dismiss the claims until Kesha's lawyers filed more evidence on the alleged abuse.
