On January 28, 2018, the 60th Grammy’s took place. The night was filled with powerful performances from Logic, U2 and so on. The performance that stuck deeply with many people, including myself, was Kesha’s performance of her hit song Praying. Many other artists such as Rihanna, Julia Michaels, Bebe Rexha, Cyndi Lauper, and others joined the singer on stage wearing all white. Praying is the hit song off of her 2017 album Rainbow. The song is based around the trauma she went through for years with her producer Dr. Luke. In October of 2014, Kesha had filed a lawsuit against the producer for sexual assault and battery, sexual harassment, gender violence, emotional abuse, and violation of California business practices. She had endured this over ten years. In response to this Dr. Luke had filed a counter suit for defamation and denied all allegations of sexual abuse. In April of 2016, the judge dismissed Kesha’s claims. The reaction afterwards was mixed.
This song was based on her getting through that experience and the place she is in now. In an interview with People Magazine she said she was proud to be able to perform this song at the Grammy’s. She had also said in a tweet that she needed this song in a very real way, and hopes that “if you need it I hope this song finds you”. In addition to this performance, many stars wore white roses in honor of the “Time’s Up” movement which stands for no longer tolerating sexual abuse in the industry. The performance was emotional and powerful, Kesha nearly in tears the entire time.
I personally believe that this is a step forward in the right direction coming out publically about the abuse not only women in Hollywood face, but women all over. The more aware hopefully the less this type of behavior is tolerated.
