Kesha and producer Dr. Luke settle long-running defamation lawsuit

Miu von Furstenberg 3 Min Read
Dr. Luke Gottwald and singer Ke$ha28th Annual ASCAP Pop Music Awards - Show
Dr. Luke Gottwald and singer Ke$ha pose onstage at the 28th Annual ASCAP Pop Music Awards at the Kodak Ballroom on April 27, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Kesha and Dr. Luke have settled their long-running legal battle and released a joint statement about resolving the latter’s defamation lawsuit.

“Only God knows what happened that night,” Kesha’s statement reads. “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.”

Luke adds, “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.”

2019 American Music Awards - Red Carpet
Kesha attends the 2019 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on November 24, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for dcp)

The case was set to go to trial next month. Other details of the settlement are not known at this time.

In 2014, Kesha filed a lawsuit against Dr. Luke for sexual assault and emotional abuse, including specific claims that Dr. Luke drugged and raped her at a party in 2005; Dr. Luke countersued and claimed defamation. In 2016 after many legal twists and turns, a judge dismissed Kesha’s abuse claims, and the singer later also dropped a separate court case in Los Angeles against Dr. Luke.

The defamation case continued, however, with the producer claiming that Kesha's allegation was “false and shocking” and that she only made the accusations to negotiate a better record deal. Part of the defamation case would end up including statements that Kesha made to Lady Gaga in a text message thread saying that Dr. Luke had raped Katy Perry, an accusation Perry also denied in sworn testimony.


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