Lady Gaga insists Kesha is being "publicly shamed for something that happens in the music industry all the time".
The Born This Way singer has been an outspoken advocate for her fellow pop star, who recently lost her bid to be released from her Sony Music recording contract with producer Dr. Luke. A judge ruled the singer could not terminate the contract she signed a decade ago, despite the fact she's suing the hitmaker, claiming he sexually and emotionally abused her.
Since that ruling on 19 February (16), Kesha has garnered the support of fans and celebrities alike, including Reese Witherspoon, Anne Hathaway, Adele, Taylor Swift and Gaga, who has spoken frequently of her support for the #FreeKesha movement.
Her latest comments came in an interview with Los Angeles radio station AMP Radio 97.1, in which she alleged that Kesha's situation is certainly not uncommon in their industry.
"Well, I think that people should just know that there's so much more than what meets the eye in a case like that," she said. "And it's so kind of deceiving when you read about contracts and you read about what people owe each other in terms of power and records. The truth is, I feel like she's being very publicly shamed for something that happens in the music industry all the time, to women and men. I just want to stand by her side because I can't watch another woman that went through what I've been through suffer, you know?"
Gaga previously revealed she had been raped at the age of 19, and used her experience to inspire her Oscar-nominated song Til It Happens to You from documentary The Hunting Ground.
She added the thing she finds most difficult about Kesha's case is the constant accusations that her friend isn't telling the truth.
"And have everyone have a go at her as if, you know, she's lying," she continued. "I mean, I have to say. I talk to her every day. I'm friends with her personally and what I'm watching her go through is not only something I've been through, but something that's really devastating to witness. Somebody that has such a beautiful light within them, so much talent to give. Just to see that light burn out because they feel that no one's listening to them, I feel that it's my responsibility to stand up for her when there's a lot of people that are not listening to her plea for love, for people to have compassion and empathy."
Gaga also used the interview to discuss her own career. She hasn't released a solo album since 2013's Artpop, and revealed she is determined to take her time with her upcoming record so that it can be the best it can be.
"I'm actually working every day on my record and I will be done with it at some point!" she laughed. "I just feel like this is my time for me to spend with my music. I have, for years, had to do so many other things and keep up with so much to please people around me and this is the first time I really get to spend with my work, you know? I promise you it will be worth the wait."