Kesha‘s ongoing struggle with producer and alleged abuser Dr. Luke took another turn this week when his label Kemosabe Records rescinded its approval for her to appear on the Billboard Music Awards May 22.
The singer was slated to perform, but following rumors that her appearance would “make direct references” to the pair’s “ongoing legal battle,” Dick Clark Productions released a statement Tuesday saying that Kesha would no longer be appearing. It also noted that it hoped “the parties can come to an arrangement” so that the performance could still be saved. Given the slow progress of the rest of the case, it would be quite a feat.
After the press release went out, Kesha released a statement of her own via Instagram, claiming the label’s accusations were unfounded and that she’d been planning a Bob Dylan tribute the whole time:
I was very excited to perform a tribute to Bob Dylan by singing a cover of “It ain’t me, babe” at the Billboard awards this year. I’m very sad and sorry to say I won’t be allowed to do this. I just wanted to make very clear that this performance was about me honoring one of my favorite songwriters of all time and has never had anything at all to do with Dr. Luke. I was never going to use a picture of him, speak of him or allude to my legal situation in any way. I simply wanted to sing a song I love to honor an artist I have always looked up to. thank u all for the continued support.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BFhqSlCu1ZR/
The awards air Sunday, so any resolution would have to be reached quickly.
Update 4:08pm CT, May 19: Kesha will reportedly perform at the Billboard Music Awards as originally scheduled, reports the Associated Press.
H/T Vulture