Kesha Won't Sing at the Billboard Music Awards
— -- Kesha will not be performing at Sunday's Billboard Music Awards as originally planned, Dick Clark Productions confirmed Tuesday.
According to a statement from the production company, the singer accepted an invitation to sing during the broadcast and received written approval from Dr. Luke's record label, Sony-owned Kemosabe Records.
However Kemosabe later rescinded that permission, according to the statement.
"Unfortunately, Kesha and Kemosabe have since been unable to come to an agreement for Kesha to perform on the show," the statement read. "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."
In 2014, Kesha, 29, accused Dr. Luke of being physically, emotionally and sexually abusive toward her and as a result, sought to be released from her contract with Sony. The producer, whose given name is Lukasz Gottwald, has denied all allegations of wrongdoing, and earlier this year, a judge ruled against the singer, saying that she could record with people other than Dr. Luke. She appealed, though that was denied.
"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," Kesha wrote on her Instagram page. "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."
