Kesha ‘Tried To and Almost Killed Herself’ Due To Dr. Luke’s Body Shaming

“I was under immense pressure to starve myself.”

by Danielle Sinay

Kesha has opened up about the body-shame Dr. Luke subjected her to, and how the abusive behavior affected her mental health.

For some background information: In 2014, Kesha sued producer Dr. Luke, claiming he had drugged and sexually assaulted her. Within a mere hours Dr. Luke sued her for a “breach of contract” and “defamation.” Kesha then requested an injunction from the contract she had with him – which would allow her to record music with producers outside of Luke’s label – but her request was refused by a judge this February, essentially forcing her to work exclusively with her abuser for the rest of her music career.

Kesha has since revealed to The New York Times Magazine that around that time, Dr. Luke was “verbally abusive,” calling her a “fat [expletive] refrigerator” and “criticizing her weight in front of other people.”

Kesha stopped eating — she had developed an eating disorder.

“I was under immense pressure to starve myself,” she told the magazine. “And I tried to and almost killed myself in the process.”

In January 2014, she checked herself into a treatment center, where she turned to social media to explain what happened.

“Someone I work with has literally driven me into this disease, tortured me and [expletive] with me and my family,” she posted. “So I’m here taking time and getting my magic back dammit.

And that she most certainly did.

Since Kesha began her road to recovery, she’s written 22 new songs, all of which she has submitted to Sony. While we’re unsure what will happen with the lawsuit or these songs, we know that Kesha’s stronger than ever, and will only grow stronger with time. 

Thank you for your strength and honesty, Kesha. You’re a warrior.

If you are or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1?800?273?TALK (8255) or Live Online Chat.