Kesha emotional over judge's ruling in lawsuit against producer Dr. Luke

Singer Kesha broke down in tears after a judge dismissed a preliminary injunction she was seeking to end her contract with record label bosses at Sony on Friday (19Feb16).

The Tik Tok hitmaker filed a sexual abuse lawsuit against her one-time mentor and producer Dr. Luke in October, 2014, accusing him of subjecting her to years of sexual, physical, verbal and emotional abuse. She even went as far as to claim his actions led to her 60-day stint in the Timberline Knolls rehab clinic in Illinois two years ago.

Dr. Luke, real name Lukasz Gottwald, hit back with his own countersuit for defamation and extortion, alleging the singer and her mother, Pebe Sebert, had threatened to go public with various stories about his alleged inappropriate behaviour unless he released her from the management contract she signed with him when she was 18.

The 28-year-old asked to be released from the deal with Dr. Luke, claiming she was unable to continue with her music career, because she is prohibited from working with another label, adding executives at Sony will not promote her music if she pairs up with another producer.

However, a judge dismissed her argument on Friday (19Feb16), ruling she is able to work with another producer under Sony.
"You're asking the court to decimate a contract that was heavily negotiated and typical for the industry," New York Supreme Court Justice Shirley Kornreich said during her ruling in Manhattan Supreme Court.

On Thursday (18Feb16), Dr. Luke and bosses at the record label asked for the sexual assault suit to be dismissed, but the judge delayed her decision.

Kesha was greeted by a throng of fans as she arrived at the courthouse on Friday morning. Many held placards and chanted "Free Kesha Now! Free Kesha Now!" as she prepared for her day in court.

One sobbing fans the singer comforted on the courthouse steps told Kesha, "You don't deserve this at all. It's unfair."