Skip to main content
Friday, November 6, 2026Nov 6

This story is free to read.

Dr. Luke gives OK for Kesha to perform at Billboard Awards

FILE - In this May 7, 2016 file photo, Kesha attends "To the Rescue: Saving Animal Lives" Gala and Fundraiser in Los Angeles.  Dr. Luke and his record label say they are giving Kesha approval to perform at Sunday’s Billboard Music Awards. His label, Kemosabe Records, said in a statement Thursday, May 19, 2016, that they are approving the performance after being reassured that Kesha was not going to use her time onstage to highlight their ongoing lawsuit. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)
FILE - In this May 7, 2016 file photo, Kesha attends "To the Rescue: Saving Animal Lives" Gala and Fundraiser in Los Angeles. Dr. Luke and his record label say they are giving Kesha approval to perform at Sunday’s Billboard Music Awards. His label, Kemosabe Records, said in a statement Thursday, May 19, 2016, that they are approving the performance after being reassured that Kesha was not going to use her time onstage to highlight their ongoing lawsuit. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File) FILE - In this May 7, 2016 file photo, Kesha attends "To the Rescue: Saving Animal Lives" Gala and Fundraiser in Los Angeles. Dr. Luke and his record label say they are giving Kesha approval to perform at Sunday’s Billboard Music Awards. His label, Kemosabe Records, said in a statement Thursday, May 19, 2016, that they are approving the performance after being reassured that Kesha was not going to use her time onstage to highlight their ongoing lawsuit. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)

NEW YORK (AP) – Dr. Luke and his record label say they are giving Kesha the OK to perform at Sunday’s Billboard Music Awards.

In a statement to the Associated Press on Thursday, Kemosabe Records said it had reversed an earlier decision after Kesha reassured them she was not going to highlight their ongoing lawsuit onstage.

“Kesha’s performance on the Billboard Music Awards was always approved, in good faith. Approval was only suspended when Kemosabe learned Kesha was to use the performance as a platform to discuss the litigation,” the statement read.

“Now that Kemosabe has obtained assurances, that it is relying upon, from Kesha, her representatives and Dick Clark Productions that neither Kesha nor her supporters will use the performance as such a platform, the approval has been restored.”

Kesha was planning to perform Bob Dylan’s “It Ain’t Me Babe” at the awards show. Representatives for the Billboard Awards didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

Dr. Luke has served as Kesha’s mentor and signed her to his label. They have written hits together for Kesha and other acts. They have been at odds since she accused of him of drugging, sexually abusing and emotionally tormenting her.

The Billboard Awards airs at 8 p.m. EDT on ABC from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.