⁠Why did Kesha sue Dr. Luke? Singer looks back at her 2018 Grammy performance while she was dealing with the producer's countersuit

Pop star Kesha sued producer Dr. Luke accusing him of drugging and raping her in 2005, followed by years of emotional abuse. The pop star looks back at her 2018 Grammy performance, which she performed alongside other strong artists while she was involved in legal battles for over ten years.

Kesha—real name Kesha Rose Sebert—filed a civil case against music producer Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald in October 2014, alleging that he had drugged and raped her in 2005 and had subjected her to years of emotional abuse. She claims this started as soon as she signed as a teenager with his label, Kemosabe Records.

Kesha said that Dr. Luke used his position of authority to control and threaten her, verbally attack her over her weight, and weaken her voice. During a sworn questioning, she revealed:

"The abuse I suffered from Luke was a decade long, every day, every moment of every day."

In 2014, it also flared up an eating disorder for the "Timber" hitmaker, which led her to spend two months at a rehabilitation clinic.

Dr. Luke quickly filed a countersuit, accusing Kesha of breach of contract and defamation, and refuting all accusations. According to his legal counsel, Kesha made up the story to get out from under her contract and harm his reputation. In 2017, he said under oath:

"Any reasonable person will not believe her."

Additionally, Dr. Luke brought up a statement where Kesha stated that the producer had "never made sexual advances at me," but she went on to clarify that at that time, she was "not entirely transparent" because she was defending him and was scared of him.

Since Kesha was still bound by her contract with Dr. Luke's Kemosabe Records, her career came to a stop because of the ongoing legal disputes. She called him a "monster" as she felt like she couldn't freely create music, even when the label was insisting that she could collaborate with someone else.

It wasn't until 2017 that she released her debut album with other producers, "Rainbow." After years of seclusion, the highly regarded album, which included the poignant track "Praying," signaled her emotional return.

Then, in June 2023, both of them settled their dispute. They both released statements on social media. She wrote:

“Only God knows what happened that night. As I always said, I cannot recount everything that happened. I am looking forward to closing the door on this chapter of my life and beginning a new one. I wish nothing but peace to all parties involved.”

While Dr. Luke wrote:

“While I appreciate Kesha again acknowledging that she cannot recount what happened that night in 2005. I am absolutely certain that nothing happened. I never drugged or assaulted her and would never do that to anyone. For the sake of my family, I have vigorously fought to clear my name for nearly 10 years. It is time for me to put this difficult matter behind me and move on with my life. I wish Kesha well.”

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Kesha's 2018 Grammy performance

Kesha's 2018 Grammy performance of "Praying" at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards in January 2018. The pop star was on stage alongside other female artists, Cyndi Lauper, Julia Michaels, Andra Day, and Bebe Rexha, all dressed in white.

Their rendition of "Praying" was loved and appreciated by all and became the talk of the night. Kesha was still involved in the dispute with Dr. Luke at the moment. Despite the fact that she never mentioned him by name, the song itself had been generally seen as a direct message to him. She reflected on how the court troubles affected her psychological well-being even at public moments of success.

She mentioned in an interview with The Guardian in 2023 that it still affects her. She said:

“Sometimes I’m incredibly happy, and then sometimes I have panic attacks.”

In an exclusive interview with People magazine, she recalls the moment at the 2018 Grammys:

"Being surrounded by those iconic performers and feeling so supported by my community of those women on that stage was so powerful. Not only for me, but for anybody else who relates to any part of my story."

She added:

"That was a beautiful moment for me to realize that these other artists have my back, and were lending their amazing talents to literally have my back in a performance that was so scary for me."

During her performance, the pop star revealed that Lauper had placed her hand on her shoulder, which reassured her and gave her strength during a really tough time. She said:

"I truly felt so supported in that moment, in a time when I really needed support."

She continued:

"I was in the midst of the mess still. So, to go and sing about it when it was currently happening, was really a headf--- because it was both beautiful but also so difficult."

She concluded:

"I have some complicated emotions around that [discourse] and that performance. But I will say, I'm proud of myself and I'm really appreciative for all of the other artists that had my back. That will stay with me forever, to my grave."

Her song "Praying" was nominated for Best Pop Solo Performance, and "Rainbow" for Best Pop Vocal Album. The lyrics of the song can be seen below:

"You brought the flames and you put me through hell / I had to learn how to fight for myself / And we both know all the truth I could tell / I'll just say this is I wish you farewell / I hope you're somewhere praying."

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Kesha's liberation as an independent artist

. (PERIOD) Kesha's first project since the end of her legal dispute with Dr. Luke and her contract with Sony Music was released on July 4, 2025, via her own record label, Kesha Records.

Talking about it to People magazine, she said:

"For this chapter I really wanted to capture the moments where I felt liberated, safe, happy, playful, hot, horny, but all of it was coming from a whole place; I feel very whole. Now all of my energy gets to focus back on my true purpose—helping people feel seen, loved, safe and f---ing entertained as hell. My power is all back in my hands, and I’m excited."

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