Kesha: ‘TiK ToK’ Singer Nearly Died, ‘I Tried To And Almost Killed Myself’ Due To Dr. Luke’s Alleged Body Shaming
Kesha opened up about the body shaming she allegedly experienced while under the watchful eye of record producer, Dr. Luke. Kesha, 29, is still battling her former producer in court, according to People. In a new in-depth interview, the “TiK ToK” singer told The New York Times that she was under great pressure to stay thin. Kesha also said her creativity was inhibited while working with Dr. Luke.
“I was under immense pressure to starve myself. And I tried to and almost killed myself in the process.”
When Kesha released her first album, Animal, in 2010, the famed music producer had a certain image in mind for Kesha. She claims he wanted her to solely portray the image of “fun.” Kesha’s career took off with the release of her debut single, “TiK ToK.”
“I’m just fun. That’s all I am. That’s it.”
In statements made through Dr. Luke’s representatives, the producer denied that he created an image for Kesha outside the one she carefully crafted for herself. He also denied any pressure for her to release only party songs on Animal.
Kesha said Dr. Luke started criticizing her weight in front of everyone during the tour of Animal. Kesha claims Dr. Luke called her a “fat refrigerator.” According to Kesha, due to the body shaming, she developed an eating disorder which landed her in rehab.
In 2014, Kesha filed a lawsuit against Dr. Luke, born Lukasz Sebastian Gottwald, for sexually, physically, verbally, and emotionally abusing her over the course of a decade. Kesha asked to be released from her Sony contract, but her request was ultimately denied.
Upon exiting rehab for her eating disorder, Kesha said she was determined to redefine herself. Kesha’s transformation began with her removing the dollar sign from her stage name.
“I was taking back my strength, and I was taking back my voice, and taking back my power, taking back my body… I’m just taking back my life.”
The 43-year-old music producer not only denied all claims but is currently countersuing Kesha for breach of contract and defamation, according to People.
I didn’t rape Kesha and I have never had sex with her. Kesha and I were friends for many years and she was like my little sister.
— Dr. Luke Doctor Luke (@TheDoctorLuke) February 22, 2016
Kesha has denied under oath the horrible allegations now being made against me. Here is the testimony.
— Dr. Luke Doctor Luke (@TheDoctorLuke) February 22, 2016
of course any sane person is against rape and sexual assault but everybody who is commenting is doing so without knowledge or facts.
— Dr. Luke Doctor Luke (@TheDoctorLuke) February 22, 2016
In a statement released in February, Dr. Luke said Kesha is allowed to release music without him. The lawsuit reached its two-year mark. Kesha relies on touring to cover her legal fees. Kesha has been touring smaller clubs, leading fans to assume she has freedom from working with Dr. Luke, according to People.
“They were like, ‘Oh, my gosh, you’re free,’ and I was like, ‘No, sweetheart, I love you, but no, I am not, and I don’t know where you got that information.”
After The New York Times published the interview, Kesha took to Instagram to share her feelings.
“There’s nothing harder than dreaming and working and fighting for something your whole entire life, since you were 3-years-old, since you could speak, and you FINALLY achieve it. Then have someone else take it away from you… my heart has a giant hole in it and is literally aching and throbbing from sadness and loss. Imagine someone owning your voice… and not letting you sing. Singing is how I have dealt with everything in my life. My right has been taken away.”
Kesha recalls almost starving herself to death while working with Dr. Luke in an interview with @NYTmag: https://t.co/o9EwUTgfJm pic.twitter.com/D1sQYe1PEV
— Us Weekly (@usweekly) October 26, 2016
Although Kesha maintains Dr. Luke abused her, according to People, Kesha has dropped claims against Dr. Luke in her California lawsuit.
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Kesha Fires Back At Body Shamers, Says Her Body Is ‘Not Your Business’
Kesha Eating Disorder Battle: ‘I Was In A Dark Place,’ Starving In Depths Of Anorexia Before Rehab
Kesha Eating Disorder Blamed On Dr. Luke: How Anorexia Changed Her Style And Why Her Mom Joined Her In Rehab
Kesha is now focusing her efforts on a similar case in New York, in which her legal team is actively appealing a judge’s previous ruling to dismiss her lawsuit. Dr. Luke’s lawyer, Christine Lepera, told People, if Kesha dropped her claims, it is because she knew she had no chance of winning.
“If Kesha is voluntarily dismissing her claims in the California case, it is because she has no chance of winning them. Earlier this year, she lost her meritless counterclaims against Dr. Luke in the New York Action… Recently, the California Court invited Dr. Luke and the other defendants to move to dismiss Kesha’s claims in that action. Kesha never should have brought her false and meritless claims against Dr. Luke in any court. Dr. Luke’s defamation and other claims against Kesha are still proceeding.”
According to The New York Times, Kesha is unable to release music with a pending contract litigation. Kesha gave Sony 22 songs that she recorded over the summer. These songs have not been released.
[Featured Image by Angela Weiss/Stringer/Getty Images]
