Back in 2016, Kesha alleged that she was raped by her longtime producer and mentor, Lukasz Sebastian Gottwald, known professionally as Dr. Luke.
The ensuing court case became a subject of intense media scrutiny, as some of the biggest names in music found themselves embroiled in one of the most shocking industry scandals in recent history.
While famous friends of Kesha’s, such as Lady Gaga, came to the singer’s support, others were surprised to find themselves caught up in the proceedings.
One such unwitting participant was Katy Perry.
Back in June, allegations that Perry had been raped by Gottwald began to spread on social media after The Blast obtained documents from the producer’s counter-suit against Kesha.
Lawyers for Gottwald alleged that Kesha “falsely asserted that Gottwald had also raped Kathryn Hudson p/k/a Katy Perry.”
In newly-released transcripts from a July 2017 deposition, Perry insists that she was never assaulted by Luke and has no idea how that rumor came about.
Asked by an attorney for Gottwald is she had ever been raped by the producer, Perry replied simply, "No."
"Absolutely not,” she added when asked if he had “sexually assaulted her.”
Lawyers for Luke stated that the rumors began when Kesha texted Lady Gaga alleging that Gottwald had raped Perry.
They claim that Gaga then spread the false information on social media in an attempt to defame Gottwald.
“Following this text message conversation, and with [Kesha’s] encouragement, Ms. Germanotta spread negative messages about Gottwald in the press and on social media,” attorneys alleged.
“For example, in February 2016, Ms. Germanotta posted multiple articles discussing defendant defamatory statements on her Twitter page.”
Gaga previously stated that she had heard rumors about Gottwald raping Perry from Interscope Records Chief John Janick.
“I saw information about Kesha that was related to her having difficulty getting away from a record producer that had allegedly raped her,” Gaga told the court.
“Yes, and I don’t know that he used the word ‘rumor.’ I don’t recall exactly the way he said it. I just recall that it was brought up,” she added.
”He said something like I heard he raped Katy, too.”
Luke’s legal team released a statement yesterday summarizing the case thusly:
“In 2014, Kesha filed a bogus Complaint against Dr. Luke — which she has voluntarily dismissed — falsely claiming that he drugged and raped her in 2005.
Now, after four years of litigation, it is Dr. Luke’s defamation claim that remains. Evidence is now publicly available to show that Kesha’s Complaint was filed pursuant to a ‘Press Plan’ and PR media blitz, designed to create the maximum negative public pressure on Dr. Luke in order to get him to give in to her contract demands.
Having done all of the damage publicizing her false claim of rape for years, Kesha now has asked Dr. Luke to not speak publicly about the evidence just being revealed… even though this is the first time Dr. Luke has the opportunity to do so with some of the actual facts. Ironic, indeed.”
We’ll have further information on this developing story as more information becomes available.
