Singer Kesha insists she had no intention of bringing up her contentious relationship with Dr. Luke at the Billboard Music Awards on Sunday.
Kesha was initially scheduled to perform at the ceremony, but on Tuesday (17May16) executives at Dick Clark Productions, the company behind the big show in Las Vegas, confirmed in a statement that bosses behind Dr. Luke’s record label Kemosabe Records, which Kesha is signed to, rescinded their approval for her gracing the stage after initially providing the OK.
Kesha and her former mentor have been engaged in a court battle for years after she accused him of assault and abuse during their decade-long partnership, but the star swears she did not plan to address their ongoing legal dispute at the Billboard Music Awards.
Taking to Instagram.com, Kesha posted a blurry picture of her playing the guitar, adding the caption, “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,” she added. “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.”
TMZ previously reported Dr. Luke changed his mind about releasing the rights to her music for the performance because he was convinced she was planning on discussing their legal battle at the ceremony.
Earlier this year (16), Kesha was unsuccessful with her legal bid to scrap her contract with Kemosabe Records and following the court verdict, she insisted her career would be restricted as a result of the judge’s order. However, Dr. Luke declared that wasn’t the case and there were no such restrictions on her deal, adding Kesha was free to work with anyone she wanted to collaborate with.
The cancellation news comes a day after a Los Angeles Superior Court judge deferred Kesha’s sexual assault case against Dr. Luke until her breach of contract lawsuit has been resolved.
The case has been put on hold until 15 July (16), when another status hearing is scheduled to take place.
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