Kesha has not had it easy in the music industry.
Her long journey to creative freedom is littered with power struggles, sexual violence allegations, and music contracts tangled up like spider webs.
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With the release of her new album, she’s opening up about the past, the present, and the future — and the advice she got from one of the women she admires most.
Kesha used to be a very different person.
At least, that’s how it looked like to us. Back when she was styled as “Ke$ha,” her whole vibe was very different.
She was a blonde, wild-eyed, glitter-covered party animal that belted out lyrics like, “the party don’t start ’til I walk in.”
However, that image wasn’t really her.
And the things going on behind closed doors were far more serious than her persona would lead you to believe.
In 2014, Kesha sued her producer, Dr. Luke. She alleged he’d emotionally abused, drugged, and raped her. She wanted out of her contract, and away from him.
Kesha inadvertently became a symbol for resistance.
Her struggle to escape her contract with her alleged abuser — and heartbreaking failure to achieve that goal — came to the forefront of Hollywood.
In the era of #MeToo, Kesha was the beacon of female power.
And some big names were behind her.
Sitting down with The Face , Kesha told the story of two celebrities who changed her life.
Of course, there’s Beyoncé. But there was also a moment with Adele that floored Kesha completely.
While accepting an award, Adele directly shouted out Kesha.
“I just burst into tears. Because she’s one of the greatest talents on the earth and it was her moment. To even consider what someone else is going through, it made me feel like humanity is not [expletive]. I will love Adele forever.”
Her Beyoncé story happened much earlier in her career.
She was backstage on a festival tour in the UK, and so was Beyoncé.
Queen Bey decided to impart some words of wisdom onto Kesha’s rising star, and she’s never forgotten them.
She stanned Beyoncé since day 1.
“I’ve always been a fan, since day one – Destiny’s Child all the way. It was backstage and she was like an angel.”
I can’t imagine seeing Beyoncé up close and in the flesh. It would be like looking at an angel.
She shared some pretty crucial advice.
Her advice involved making sure you’re aware of the people around you, and what their motives are for being there.
“She said: ‘As soon as you know they’re snakes, weed ’em out.’ So, I’ve just tried to listen to that advice.”
Those words didn’t stick at first.
“Sometimes it took a little longer for me to realize who around me was there for the right reasons or not.”
It doesn’t take a genius to guess that she’s probably referencing Dr. Luke.
Her life is so different post-Luke.
“But I think I can safely say, as of right now, I am surrounded by really good people. So it may have taken a couple of years, but her advice was well received. And that would be my advice to anybody in the music business.”
And to maintain her happiness, she can’t take on the legal battles by herself.
“I realised I just have to let the lawyers deal with lawyer things. I’m an artist, I focus on the art.”
Kesha has survived Dr. Luke’s apparent abuse, a counter-suit for defamation, and losing another appeal. Now, it’s time for her to work on her own art.
Does she think that things have changed for young artists?
In the beginning of her career, things weren’t easy.
“I would say for the first, probably, six years [of my career], I felt like I was swimming in a river that was going very fast and I was just trying to keep my head above the water.”
She didn’t take a moment to breathe.
Even though that time has trauma, she still looks back on parts of it diplomatically.
“That’s not to say I didn’t have some very, very fun times but it was just… not a day off in, like, two years. So is it different now?”
She wasn’t sure if anything was different.
“I would hope, as society grows, that we realize there are areas that could be improved. But I don’t really know.”
Given that we live in an era where K-Pop stars collapse on stage from sheer exhaustion, I’d say we have a way to go.
And as for Kesha?
She has a new album recorded and ready to drop. “Raising Hell” is due out January 10th, and Kesha is in a really, really good place.
“[…] I’m here to tell you that with the help of therapists, and meditating, and animals, and just immersing your life in the things that you love and the people that love you, you can get to a place where you’re as happy as you’ve ever been – if not happier.”
