Kesha has made a heartbreaking announcement that she will no longer be performing at the Billboard Music Awards this Sunday. Dr. Luke’s record label previously gave her permission to perform, and has since rescinded the authorization.
Dick Clark Productions, which oversees the awards show on ABC, said in a statement to E! News: “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 Kemosabe subsequently rescinded its approval following a media report on Wednesday May 11 regarding Kesha’s appearance on the BBMAs.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.”
Kesha was set to perform a tribute to Bob Dylan. She promised that she would not mention Dr. Luke at the awards in any way. Kesha announced the decision on Instagram yesterday.
Despite rescinding the authorization of the performance, Marc Braco, executive of the Billboard Music Awards, has implied that there is still a chance that Kesha may perform. “Honestly it would be really disappointing if she can’t be there,” he said. “We hope that they can work it out because we’d really like for her to be on the show on Sunday night and really show herself as the great musical artist that she is. We were working with her team on what would be the best song for her to do.”
Kesha has been in a long-term legal battle with her producer Dr. Luke after she accused him of sexual and emotional abuse, and Kesha has been mostly blocked from releasing new music until the case is resolved. Last month, Kesha released her first single, “True Colors,” a collaboration with Zedd with permission from Kemosabe, since the legal action began. Her last record was released in 2012.
Photos: Instagram/Kesha
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