Kesha's Mother Speaks Out About Dr. Luke and Canceled Billboard Music Awards Performance

Pebe Sebert took to Twitter to voice her anger

By Corinne Heller May 18, 2016 9:44 PMTags
Kesha, Mother, Patricia Pebe SerbertGetty Images

Kesha's mother, Pebe Sebert, is fuming mad her daughter has been barred from performing at the 2016 Billboard Music Awards, which would have marked her first televised performance since she launched her legal battle against Dr. Luke.

In 2014, the 29-year-old singer sued her former music producer for alleged sexual assault and battery and seeks to invalidate her recording contracts with his company Kemosabe Records and its parent firm, Sony Music Entertainment. Luke denies her claims and also filed his own countersuit.

Dick Clark Productions, which produces the Billboard Music Awards, recently said in a statement Kemosabe Records had given Kesha written approval to perform at the ceremony and then rescinded it following a media report about her upcoming appearance. Luke and his company have not commented. Kesha wrote on Instagram Tuesday that her performance "never had anything at all to do with Dr. Luke."

Kesha's mother took to Twitter Wednesday to voice her anger about the cancellation and also wrote, "Wouldn't it be nice if other artists stood with Kesha and refused to [perform] if she is not allowed to sing!"

Many celebs have voiced support for Kesha amid her legal battle but have never canceled their own shows in protest. 

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"Are KEMOSABE's actions today the actions of a record label that is trying to promote the success of their artist?" Kesha's mother tweeted. "Wouldn't any record company fight to have their artist have the exposure to millions? Only if they wanted their artist to succeed!"

She also directed her anger at the New York judge handling her daughter's case. The judge had in February denied Kesha's request for a preliminary injunction that would have allowed her to release music outside of Dr. Luke's authority.

"So are Kesha's constitutional rights being violated now, judge Lady?" Pebe tweeted. "Does every adult woman need a man's permission to do what she loves? Does Kesha have the right to pursue her happiness? Or did they only mean that for rich men? Do you think that there is one male singer who could ever be 'not allowed to sing' on the Billboard Awards by another man??? How much more public abuse does my daughter have to take before someone says 'Enough is enough'!"

"And how can one person OWN another person's right to sing?" Kesha's mother added. "Song is prayer. So can Kesha pray without permission? Where's the line judge lady?"

David Tonnessen PacificCoastNews.com

The Dick Clark Productions statement also said the company hopes Luke's company and the singer "can come to an arrangement" so Kesha will be able to perform at the Billboard Music Awards after all. The ceremony airs on ABC on May 22.

The singer has performed sporadically amid her legal battle with Dr. Luke. She was a surprise singer at the 2016 Coachella music festival in April, joining Zedd onstage for a performance of his song "True Colors." They later recorded a new version of the song.

Kesha is set to perform in Minnesota, Chicago and Canada through the summer and is also set to take the stage at the 2016 New York State Fair on August 25.

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