Lady Gaga Subpoenaed in Dr. Luke Defamation Case Against Kesha
Music producer says Gaga will not schedule her deposition, seeks court assistance
Matt Donnelly | July 29, 2017 @ 11:44 AM
Last Updated: July 30, 2017 @ 11:29 PM
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Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald is asking a court to help depose Lady Gaga in his defamation suit against his former artist Kesha.
Attorneys for Dr. Luke filed a motion to interview Gaga in person, which the “American Horror Story” star has been avoiding, they said.
“In connection with Dr. Luke’s defamation claims against Kesha, various third parties are being deposed by both sides, including celebrities. Dr. Luke’s counsel served a subpoena on Lady Gaga because she has relevant information regarding, among other things, false statements about Dr. Luke made to her by Kesha,” a spokesperson for Luke said on Saturday.
“His motion has become necessary because Dr. Luke’s counsel has not been able to obtain, despite repeated request, a deposition date from Lady Gaga,” the statement concluded.
The deposition will specifically cover an exchange between Gaga and Kesha via text message, according to one of the producer’s court filings.
It that on Feb. 26, 2016 – one week after losing a court motion, Kesha texted Gaga and “asserted that Kesha and another female recording artist… had both been raped by Gottwald.” The filing argues that the text led Gaga to join “Kesha’s smear campaign against Gottwald and spread negative messages about Gottwald in the press and over social media.”
The other “female recording artist” is not identified in the filing.
Luke is engaged in an ongoing defamation suit against the “Tik Tok” singer that was filed shortly after she sued him — alleging years of psychological and sexual abuse under his mentorship. Luke has consistently and vehemently denied the accusations.
While Kesha dismissed the California case last summer without prejudice, meaning that she could theoretically take the case up again at another point, that’s not likely to happen, one legal expert explained to TheWrap at the time.
In April, Sony Music (which also counts Kesha as an artist) parted ways with Luke, who established his Kemosabe Records under their brand.
He formed the shingle in 2011, beginning a years-long relationship between the two companies that generated hits for stars like Miley Cyrus, Kelly Clarkson and Kesha. His five-year contract with Sony was already due to expire sometime this year.
Pamela Chelin contributed to this story.
Kesha vs. Dr. Luke: 20 Stars Who Have Taken Her Side (Photos)
Taylor Swift On Monday, Swift donated $250,000 "to help [Kesha] with any of her financial needs during this trying time," said her rep.
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Kelly Clarkson Clarkson tweeted, "Trying 2 not say anything since I can't say anything nice about a person... so this is me not talking about Dr. Luke," on Friday in support of Kesha's legal battle. Dr. Luke produced Clarkson's "Since You Been Gone" in 2004.
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Ariana Grande The singer tweeted, "My heart is with @KeshaRose." Buzzfeed also revealed that Grande deleted a 6-year-old tweet where she revealed her love for "that man." A fan had tweeted at Grande, saying "you need to delete this fast," and Grande complied.
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Lady Gaga Gaga, who recently revealed that she herself was raped at 19, tweeted, "There are people all over the world who love you @KeshaRose. And I can say truly I am in awe of your bravery."
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Demi Lovato Lovato tweeted her support as well. She posted a series of tweets about female empowerment, one of which read, "Frustrating to see women come forward with their past only to be shot down, not believed & disrespected for their bravery in taking action."
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Sara Bareilles The singer tweeted, "I send you love @KeshaRose" on Friday.
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Lorde The New Zealand singer also took to Twitter to show her support, tweeting, "standing with @KeshaRose through this traumatic, deeply unfair time. send good vibes her way everyone."
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Annalynne McCord The "90210" actress posted a video to Twitter, revealing her support and outrage over the situation.
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HAIM Using the hashtag #FreeKesha, the HAIM sisters tweeted, "We love you and support you @kesharose you are the strongest, most brave friend we have and we stand by you forever. #freekesha"
Lily Allen On Friday, the British singer tweeted, "My thoughts are with @KeshaRose today. I'm sorry you've had to endure this experience."
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Halsey The singer, whose real name is Ashley Nicolette Frangipane, tweeted Friday, "Disgusted by anyone in power positions abusing their authority. My heart breaks for Kesha and all people affected by this toxicity. Fuck."
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Madison Beer The singer posted a number of tweets in which she showed her support to Kesha. When a fan said to her that Kesha's name trending on Twitter won't do anything to help, Beer responded, "but at least it might be putting a smile on her face & that's what she needs. to know she has support & love. "
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Iggy Azalea Azalea posted a series of tweets on Saturday, one of which read, "Im not accusing anyone of anything, but I believe Kesha deserves the ability to move forward, create and earn a living."
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JoJo The singer posted a picture of Kesha crying in court with the caption, "these pictures truly broke my heart today."
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Lilly Singh The YouTube star took to Twitter to show her support for Kesha and also to urge women to come together and not to "start pointing at other women." "This has really affected my day... @KeshaRose I will effing ride with you girl. Stay strong. Sincerely, your sisters x."
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Margaret Cho The actress has been retweeting articles as well as tweets from Kesha's mom, and thanked fans for supporting Kesha in her legal battle.
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Bea Miller Miller also posted multiple tweets in which the singer express her "disgust" about the situation, and urged her followers to scroll through the hashtag to get informed.
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Alessia Cara The Canadian singer took to Twitter to post, "no one should be denied freedom from their abuser, nor freedom of their creativity."
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Aly and AJ Michalka The sisters tweeted, "You should be released from your contract and free to begin your recovery from this. God Bless You @KeshaRose #FreeKesha."
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Mariska Hargitay The actress tweeted her support: "For many survivors, speaking out is the hardest part. It’s also only the first step. Sending u strength @KeshaRose as u move through this."
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So far, at least 20 female stars have come together to express their support and outrage using the hashtag #FreeKesha