Kesha Has Been Denied Her Injunction, Is Stuck With Sony
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A New York City judge has denied pop singer Kesha an injunction that would have released her from her recording contract with Sony producer Dr Luke, who she accuses of repeated sexual, physical and emotional abuse.
Kesha, whose hearing was supposed to take place last month but got pushed back due to bad weather, claims Dr. Luke sexually, physically, and verbally abused her for years. The singer sought a court injunction that would liberate her from her contract with Dr. Luke and enable her to record new music outside his label. For his part, Dr. Luke has denied the allegations against him, counter-sued Kesha, and accused the singer of trying to extort him.
In handing down his decision, the judge cited Dr. Luke's investment of $60 million in Kesha's music career as evidence that he had fully supported her, the Daily Beast reports. "That decimates your argument," the judge said. "My instinct is to do the commercially reasonable thing."
#FreeKesha started trending on Friday to support the pop singer.
BuzzFeed News reporter Mary Georgantopoulos was at the hearing and reported that a Sony lawyer said an injunction would "turn the law on its face":
Leading up to the initially scheduled hearing in January, Kesha posted a slew of Instagram photos expressing her thoughts on the lawsuit. She posted several other Instagram photos about the case on Thursday:
"I have nothing left to hide," she wrote. "I did this because the truth was eating away my soul and killing me from the inside. This is not just for me. This is for every woman, every human who has ever been abused. Sexually. Emotionally. Mentally. I had to tell the truth. So the outcome will be what it will be. there's nothing left I can do. it's just so scary to have zero control in your fate. but this is my path this life for whatever reason.... #Friday"
In another recent image, she thanked her fans for their love and encouragement:
"Tomorrow this is me + u guys," she wrote. "Every one of you who has sent me sweet messages thoughts or energy. I am so grateful."
Here are some reactions to the judge's decision:
