Long-Running Legal Feud Between Pop Star Kesha and Producer Dr. Luke Reaches Settlement Over Assault and Defamation Accusations

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After almost a decade of battling through various legal suits, Pop Star Kesha and music producer Dr. Luke have come to a settlement. The dispute revolved around Kesha’s allegations of Dr. Luke drugging and assaulting her, and Dr. Luke’s counter-claims of defamation. Kesha, on Thursday, proclaimed that “only God knows what happened that night.”

Dr. Luke asserted his innocence, vehemently denying the allegations, stating, “I never drugged or assaulted her.”

Details about the settlement were kept confidential. The resolution of the case was revealed on Instagram by both parties, alongside statements expressing a desire to move forward.

Kesha reflected on the past, wishing “nothing but peace to all parties involved,” while Dr. Luke expressed his wish to leave this challenging chapter behind and continue his efforts to clear his name.

The settlement has prevented a summer trial, which had become a symbol of the #MeToo movement for Kesha’s supporters, and had drawn testimony or statements from various music industry heavyweights, including Lady Gaga, Kelly Clarkson, Katy Perry, Pink, Avril Lavigne, Adam Levine, and Taio Cruz.

The dispute raised crucial legal discussions about fame and defamation. The case had substantial implications, causing media outlets to express concerns over pretrial decisions possibly enabling influential individuals to stifle negative reporting.

Since 2014, the legal feud between the successful singer and Grammy-nominated producer has been a significant factor in their careers.

In 2009, Kesha, originally stylized as Ke$ha, gained recognition with her party anthems, beginning with “TiK ToK”. These hits were produced by Dr. Luke, who also established the record label that signed a young Kesha Rose Sebert from Nashville.

Dr. Luke, born Lukasz Gottwald, has created numerous chart-topping hits for artists like Katy Perry, Avril Lavigne, and Flo Rida. He has also received multiple Grammy nominations and won several pop songwriter of the year awards.

Kesha took legal action against him in 2014, alleging he drugged and raped her nine years earlier and subsequently caused her psychological torment. She accused him of berating her about her weight, disparaging her vocal talent, and manipulating his power over her career.

Dr. Luke, without any criminal charges, countered by suing Kesha, alleging that her claims were fabricated to tarnish his reputation and escape her record contract.

His lawyers have highlighted that Kesha, in a separate lawsuit in 2011, stated under oath that he “never made sexual advances at me.” Kesha later mentioned that she wasn’t completely honest in her 2011 statements due to her fear of Dr. Luke and her perceived need to defend him.

Kesha refrained from releasing any music for five years during the dispute, explaining her inability to collaborate with a person she labeled as a “monster” and the challenges of breaking away from his label. However, she eventually made a comeback with other producers for her 2017 album “Rainbow” and two subsequent albums. Her latest album, “Gag Order,” was released in May.

Dr. Luke’s career also suffered as a result of the allegations, causing several artists, particularly females, to avoid collaborating with him. Despite these setbacks, he managed to reclaim his place at the top of the charts in 2020 under the pseudonym Tyson Trax with Doja Cat’s “Say So,” earning his first Grammy nomination since 2014.

Despite Kesha’s sexual abuse claims being dismissed due to statutory time limits and other legal complications, she filed a countersuit against Dr. Luke under a New

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More about Kesha Dr. Luke Settlement

• Kesha and Dr. Luke Settle Longstanding Legal Battle
• Kesha and Dr. Luke Reach Settlement
• Kesha’s Discography
• Dr. Luke’s Discography