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

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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 latterโ€™s defamation lawsuit.

โ€œOnly God knows what happened that night,โ€ Keshaโ€™s statement reads. โ€œAs 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.โ€

Luke adds, โ€œWhile 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.โ€

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 Keshaโ€™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 Keshaโ€™s allegation was โ€œfalse and shockingโ€ 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.