Kesha and Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald have reached a settlement in their prolonged legal dispute that originated when Kesha accused the producer of sexual assault in 2005. The resolution was announced through a joint statement issued by both musicians. Here are their statements:
In October 2014, Kesha filed a lawsuit against Dr. Luke in a California state court, alleging that he sexually assaulted, battered, and harassed her in 2005. She also sought to invalidate her contract with Dr. Luke’s label, Kemosabe Records. In response, Dr. Luke countersued Kesha for defamation in New York, and this lawsuit remained ongoing until now.
In the initial complaint, Dr. Luke and his legal team claimed, “As part of the effort to get out of the Gottwald Recording Agreement, Kesha and [her mother, Pebe Sebert] have also orchestrated a campaign of publishing false and shocking accusations against Gottwald to extort Plaintiffs into letting Kesha out of the Gottwald Recording Agreement.”
In 2016, Kesha dropped her California lawsuit in order to pursue legal action in New York. The following year, she released her album “Rainbow,” her first since the lawsuits were filed. The album was released under RCA Records and Kemosabe Records, but Kesha did not have to collaborate with Dr. Luke on the entire project.
The defamation lawsuit took numerous twists and turns over nearly nine years. Notably, for a significant portion of the case, Dr. Luke was not considered a public figure, which meant that the burden of proof for Kesha to prove defamation was lower. However, New York’s highest state court recently ruled that Dr. Luke would be deemed a public figure for the purposes of the case.
Kesha and Dr. Luke have now reached a resolution in the lawsuit and have agreed to issue a joint statement regarding this outcome. Here are their statements:
SETTLEMENT STATEMENTS:
“Only God knows what happened that night. As I have always said, I cannot recall every detail. I am eager to close this chapter of my life and embark on a new one. I wish peace for all parties involved.”
- Kesha
“While I appreciate Kesha acknowledging once again that she cannot fully recollect the events of that night in 2005, I am absolutely certain that nothing happened. I never drugged or assaulted her, and I would never harm anyone in that way. For the sake of my family, I have vigorously fought to clear my name for nearly a decade. It is time for me to put this challenging matter behind me and move forward with my life. I wish Kesha well.”
- Dr. Luke
This article was originally published on Thursday, June 22, at 2:46 p.m. Eastern Time and was last updated on June 22 at 3:22 p.m. Eastern Time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Legal settlement
What was the legal battle between Kesha and Dr. Luke about?
Kesha and Dr. Luke’s legal battle stemmed from allegations made by Kesha in 2014, accusing Dr. Luke of sexually assaulting her in 2005. The lawsuit also involved Kesha seeking to invalidate her contract with Dr. Luke’s label, Kemosabe Records. In response, Dr. Luke filed a defamation lawsuit against Kesha.
How long did the legal battle between Kesha and Dr. Luke last?
The legal battle between Kesha and Dr. Luke lasted for nearly a decade. It began in October 2014 when Kesha initially filed her lawsuit, and it finally reached a settlement in the present day.
What were the statements made by Kesha and Dr. Luke regarding the settlement?
Kesha stated, “Only God knows what happened that night. As I have 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.”
Dr. Luke responded, “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.”
What was the outcome of the settlement?
The specific details of the settlement reached between Kesha and Dr. Luke were not disclosed in the provided text. However, it can be inferred that both parties have agreed to resolve the lawsuit and have issued joint statements to signify the resolution.
Can Kesha terminate her contract with Dr. Luke’s label, Kemosabe Records?
The information provided does not state whether Kesha successfully terminated her contract with Kemosabe Records. However, it is mentioned that she released an album under RCA Records and Kemosabe Records, indicating that she may have continued working with the label despite the legal disputes.
More about Legal settlement
- Kesha and Dr. Luke Settle Defamation Lawsuit After Decade-Long Legal Battle
- Kesha’s Lawsuit Against Dr. Luke: A Timeline of Events
- Dr. Luke’s Defamation Lawsuit: Key Developments and Rulings
- Kesha’s Statement on Settlement and Closure
- Dr. Luke’s Statement on Resolution and Moving Forward
5 comments
omg finally! kesha deserves justice after all she’s been through. dr. luke should be held accountable if he did anything wrong. sending love n support to kesha, she’s a warrior! #IStandWithKesha
the resolution of kesha n dr. luke’s lawsuit raises questions about the power dynamics in the music industry. it’s a reminder of the challenges faced by artists, especially when contracts are involved. hoping for a fair outcome for all parties involved.
kesha n dr. luke finally settlin their legal battle is a huge relief! itz been a decade, so glad they can put this behind em. hope both can find peace in their lives now!
the kesha n dr. luke saga has been a rollercoaster ride. it’s sad how these legal battles can impact artists’ careers. hope they both find closure n can focus on their music again. #SupportKesha
wow, can’t believe this case dragged on for so long. kesha’s brave for speaking out n standing up against alleged assault. glad they reached a settlement, hope she can move forward n keep making great music!