Dr. Luke has stopped Kesha from performing at the Billboard Music Awards.
The 29-year-old singer – who was denied release from her recording contract with Luke’s Kemosabe label earlier this year, despite claiming she had been sexually abused by the producer – was due to perform at the ceremony on May 22, but her appearance has been axed.
After it was reported that Kesha was planning a statement performance in which she would make "direct references" to her battle with Luke – who has denied all allegations against him – Kemosabe records "rescinded its approval" for her to take to the stage.
A representative for Billboard Awards producer Dick Clark Productions told TheWrap: "Kesha accepted an invitation to perform on the show and she received written approval from Dr. Luke’s record label, Kemosabe Records. Kemosabe subsequently rescinded its approval following a media report on Wednesday, May 11th regarding Kesha’s appearance on the BBMAs.
"Unfortunately, Kesha and Kemosabe have since been unable to come to an agreement for Kesha to perform on the show. Dick Clark productions has a long standing relationship with Kesha. We hope that the parties can come to an arrangement such that we can continue that long standing relationship with a performance by Kesha on the Billboard Music Awards stage on May 22nd."
Kesha recently performed Lady Gaga’s ‘Til It Happens To You’ – a track about sexual abuse taken from the rape documentary ‘The Hunting Ground’ – at the Humane Society’s Los Angeles Gala and dedicated it to victims of abuse.
Taking to the stage alongside Diane Warren – who co-wrote the song – Kesha told the audience at Hollywood’s Paramount Studios: "I want to dedicate this song to every man, woman, child, animal, that has ever been abused…"
And her performance won praise from Gaga, who tweeted afterwards: "Killed it @KeshaRose. I could feel your pain. Girl these boys won’t be in charge forever. The wisdom of women is rising. Let’s get louder (sic)"
Last month, the ‘Die Young’ hitmaker released her first single since she lost her legal battle, with the new version of Zedd’s ‘True Colors’ making her first new music in over three years.
Taking to Twitter, she wrote: "#truecolors spoke to me so deeply I had to spread the beautiful message of personal empowerment …
"this is more than a song. it’s a declaration of my truth #truecolors (sic)"
Zedd also took to Twitter to confirm that he had sought permission to record the track with Kesha from Dr. Luke whose real name is Lukasz Gottwald – as the terms of their recording contract means the producer has approval over who the star works with.
He wrote on the social media site: "ZEDD & KESHA – TRUE COLORS. OFFICIALLY OUT: 4/29 Music can be freedom.
"Just to clarify: We didn’t use any loopholes. Kemosable / RCA gave us permission to release. (sic)"
Kesha banned from performing at BMAs by Dr Luke
