In response to the massive outpouring of support Kesha has received following last week's now much-discussed court ruling, the pop singer has broke her silence and published an open letter.
Following a New York court's decision to deny the singer's request to annul her recording contract with Sony and Dr. Luke, Kesha delivered her message today (February 24) through her Facebook page, and opens by thanking anyone who "took the time to show me support and love," whether fan or fellow entertainer. From there, she denies claims that distancing herself from Dr. Luke — who she has accused of emotional, physical and sexual abuse — was financially motivated, explaining that it has always been about her safety.
"All I ever wanted was to be able to make music without being afraid, scared, or abused," she writes. "This case has never been about a renegotiation of my record contract — it was never about getting a bigger, or a better deal. This is about being free from my abuser. I would be willing to work with Sony if they do the right thing and break all ties that bind me to my abuser."
The letter goes on to target abuse beyond her own case, making a plea for any victim to come forward with their story, "especially if their abuser is in a position of power."
"There are places that will make you feel safe," Kesha adds. "There are people who will help you. I for one, will stand beside you and behind you. I know now how this all feels and will forever fight for you the way perfect strangers have been fighting for me."
As previously reported, the awareness-stirring #FreeKesha hashtag has blown up over Twitter since last week's court decision, while celebrities like Taylor Swift, Best Coast's Bethany Cosentino and Lady Gaga have publicly stood with Kesha. Yesterday (February 23), Girls creator Lena Dunham published an open letter touching on the Kesha case, systemic misogyny and abuse.
Earlier this week, Dr. Luke went on Twitter to defend his position, calling Kesha "motivated by money" and denying he sexually abused the singer.
You'll find Kesha's powerful statement in full down below.
I'm so, so beyond humbled and thankful for all of the support I've received from everyone. Words cannot really express the emotions I've gone through reading and seeing how amazing everyone has been to me. I can't believe that so many people all over the world took the time to show me support and love. Other entertainers who knowingly put their own careers at stake by supporting me, I will be forever grateful.
All I ever wanted was to be able to make music without being afraid, scared, or abused. This case has never been about a renegotiation of my record contract — it was never about getting a bigger, or a better deal. This is about being free from my abuser. I would be willing to work with Sony if they do the right thing and break all ties that bind me to my abuser.
But at this point, this issue is bigger than just about me.
I think about young girls today — I don't want my future daughter — or your daughter — or any person to be afraid that they will be punished if they speak out about being abused, especially if their abuser is in a position of power.
Unfortunately I don't think that my case is giving people who have been abused confidence that they can speak out, and that's a problem.
But I just want to say that if you have been abused, please don't be afraid to speak out. There are places that will make you feel safe. There are people who will help you. I for one, will stand beside you and behind you. I know now how this all feels and will forever fight for you the way perfect strangers have been fighting for me.
Yes, I am very much a feminist, but more than that, I am a humanist. I believe in supporting my fellow human beings in being SAFE.
We're all in this together. You are not alone.
I love you and thank you.
Following a New York court's decision to deny the singer's request to annul her recording contract with Sony and Dr. Luke, Kesha delivered her message today (February 24) through her Facebook page, and opens by thanking anyone who "took the time to show me support and love," whether fan or fellow entertainer. From there, she denies claims that distancing herself from Dr. Luke — who she has accused of emotional, physical and sexual abuse — was financially motivated, explaining that it has always been about her safety.
"All I ever wanted was to be able to make music without being afraid, scared, or abused," she writes. "This case has never been about a renegotiation of my record contract — it was never about getting a bigger, or a better deal. This is about being free from my abuser. I would be willing to work with Sony if they do the right thing and break all ties that bind me to my abuser."
The letter goes on to target abuse beyond her own case, making a plea for any victim to come forward with their story, "especially if their abuser is in a position of power."
"There are places that will make you feel safe," Kesha adds. "There are people who will help you. I for one, will stand beside you and behind you. I know now how this all feels and will forever fight for you the way perfect strangers have been fighting for me."
As previously reported, the awareness-stirring #FreeKesha hashtag has blown up over Twitter since last week's court decision, while celebrities like Taylor Swift, Best Coast's Bethany Cosentino and Lady Gaga have publicly stood with Kesha. Yesterday (February 23), Girls creator Lena Dunham published an open letter touching on the Kesha case, systemic misogyny and abuse.
Earlier this week, Dr. Luke went on Twitter to defend his position, calling Kesha "motivated by money" and denying he sexually abused the singer.
You'll find Kesha's powerful statement in full down below.
I'm so, so beyond humbled and thankful for all of the support I've received from everyone. Words cannot really express the emotions I've gone through reading and seeing how amazing everyone has been to me. I can't believe that so many people all over the world took the time to show me support and love. Other entertainers who knowingly put their own careers at stake by supporting me, I will be forever grateful.
All I ever wanted was to be able to make music without being afraid, scared, or abused. This case has never been about a renegotiation of my record contract — it was never about getting a bigger, or a better deal. This is about being free from my abuser. I would be willing to work with Sony if they do the right thing and break all ties that bind me to my abuser.
But at this point, this issue is bigger than just about me.
I think about young girls today — I don't want my future daughter — or your daughter — or any person to be afraid that they will be punished if they speak out about being abused, especially if their abuser is in a position of power.
Unfortunately I don't think that my case is giving people who have been abused confidence that they can speak out, and that's a problem.
But I just want to say that if you have been abused, please don't be afraid to speak out. There are places that will make you feel safe. There are people who will help you. I for one, will stand beside you and behind you. I know now how this all feels and will forever fight for you the way perfect strangers have been fighting for me.
Yes, I am very much a feminist, but more than that, I am a humanist. I believe in supporting my fellow human beings in being SAFE.
We're all in this together. You are not alone.
I love you and thank you.
